Today we’d like to introduce you to James Pearse Connelly
Hi James Pearse, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised on the Jersey Shore in Leonardo, NJ. I moved to California in 2002 after graduating with a BFA in Set Design from Rutgers University. My primary goal was to find work in the entertainment industry, and Southern California offered more opportunities for new talent than the East Coast at the time. I worked my way up from assisting painters and prop artisans to broadcast production design, helping whoever I could and listening to the community to understand its needs.
After a while, I decided to incorporate and build an efficient workflow pipeline, managing several different artists and assistants. This allowed me to continue offering the same great service and product to the community I had built.
After 15 years as a CEO, entrepreneur, and production designer, I’m proud to have had the opportunity to design productions in several different sectors, including television, events, and large living spaces like homes. These projects were not only international but also in high volume and at a very high level.
Behind the scenes, I am a family man–proud husband and father to my two adorable sons, Cates and newborn Sylver, whom I share with my partner, Wallie. I strive to create a vibrant home while juggling the busy life of an entrepreneur with the joys and challenges of being a proud gay dad.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
New roads, with few uncharted predecessors to compare to, can be unpredictable and bumpy. However, they also present successful and exciting growth opportunities. Some notable struggles along the way have included expansion planning for an all-virtual work environment. Continuing a successful working technology pipeline during the pandemic transition was a huge challenge that required immediate action.
We took on as much business as possible during the initial pandemic shutdown to maintain cash flow while migrating our workflow virtually. Recently, the economic struggles in television and film production have caused more extreme ebbs and flows in our internal business planning. These challenges have also pushed the studio to think more creatively about how to be resourceful and competitive with building materials.
We face each new “struggle” with self-education and open minds.
We’ve been impressed with JPConnelly, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I design spaces that are immersive, bold, creative, and attainable. I specialize in building an efficient workflow and team to execute and always envision it beforehand. I’m known for having a flawless record and consistently overdelivering. I’m very proud to have designed more than a dozen successfully recreated television shows around the world, earning international recognition.
My studio team and company atmosphere set me apart from other designers because we can take on both small and large projects. We not only offer seamless customer service but also provide endless ideas that elevate the spaces we create.
JPConnelly’s production designs have left a mark on some of the most talked-about television shows, including The Masked Singer, The Voice, The MTV Video Music Awards, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Bravo’s Top Chef, Red Table Talks, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Netflix’s The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady, Master Class and Meta’s VR show, Oh Hell No with Marlon Wayans, Wheel of Fortune with Ryan Seacrest, and many, many more.
My client list also extends beyond the stage and into the personal homes and spaces of celebrities like Jim Jefferies, Maria Menounos, Sarah Silverman, Maleah Joi Moon, Kelly Clarkson, Bad Bunny and more.
I’m a proud recipient of 3 Emmy Awards, 18 nominations, and 9 Art Directors Guild Award nominations, recognizing my work in this field.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have only yielded my successes from previous successes and any “luck” has merely been from hard work and being open to opportunities at any given moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jpconnelly.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/jpconnelly
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jpconnelly/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jpconnelly
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jpconnelly1
Image Credits
Photo 1 headshot: Brooke James Productions
Photo 2. James Pearse Connelly
