Check Out Julian Gooden’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Gooden.

Hi Julian , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey started in 2012 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where I worked for 7 years. It was there where. I learned how to be a producer. I was the in-house producer and editor and was fortunate to win 6 Los Angeles Area Emmy awards with the organization. In 2019 my journey brought me to the NFL Network where I worked for 3 years producing content for the league. I interviewed some of the biggest names in Football including Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rogers and Tom Brady. I was blessed to win 2 National Sports Emmys with the NFL and in 2022 I accepted a position at ESPN where I’ve been since. Since being at ESPN I’ve directed two 1 -hour documentaries and have brought home one National Sports Emmy. It’s been a great journey so far and I have a lot left to go.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Work life balance is always a challenge. With a Wife and 2 young kids at home, managing time between family and work is sometimes tough but when its done right is the key to a peaceful life, I’m blessed to work for a company that understands that.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Im an award-winning director and 10-time Emmy winner whose work blends cinematic storytelling with deep cultural insight.

I recently directed Above the Tide: Katrina 20 years later , the critically praised ESPN documentary that explores New Orleans’ resilience, identity, and rebirth in the years following Hurricane Katrina. Known for its powerful interviews and poetic visual style, the film stands as one of the most definitive cultural reflections on post-Katrina New Orleans.

I also directed The Crossover for ESPN: 50 Years of Hip Hop which tells the story of how hip and sports shaped Black Culture of over the past 50 years.

In 2022 directed a Short film called “Ode to South Central” which is a poem dedicated to the cultural impact of South Central Los Angeles. Narrated by Anthony Anderson, the piece won 2 National Sports Emmys for Best writing and best Editing. The same year I directed a documentary on the 1921 Tulsa Massacre for NFL Network. That doc won a National Sports Emmy for Best Long Feature..

The Next year I directed a short piece called “Without You’ which was a tribute to the great Jackie Robinson. Shot at Dodgers Stadium, the piece was narrated by Nas and won 2 National Sports Emmys for Best Editing and Best Writing.

One of my greatest achievements was having the privilege of producing Vin Scully’s retirement piece. That piece won a LA Emmy for best sports feature.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Hope to direct more impactful documentaries that focus on sports, culture and society.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://juliangoodenfilms.com
• Instagram: @juliangoodenfilms
• LinkedIn: Julian Gooden
• Twitter: @juliangood