John “QUIG” Quigley’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to John “QUIG” Quigley. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning John “QUIG”, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m on a journey toward excellence in my field, and the question “What am I chasing?” really hits at the heart of my drive. I’m chasing mastery, not just for the sake of skill, but for the recognition that comes with it. I want to be at the top of my field as a director and eventually in both the episodic and feature film directing world, a director whose work speaks for itself. I’m after a reputation where the quality of my work and my unique style become synonymous with success and borrowed from. More than that, I’m striving to keep carving out a space for myself in an industry that, while exhilarating, can also be unforgiving.

I’ve already made some important strides: transitioning from directing top music videos and commercials to self-funding my own short film, and now earning credits on platforms like HBO Max, Netflix and Showtime. I’ve shown myself capable of breaking through, proving that I have the ambition and skill to get in the door. But I’ve also come to realize that staying in that door or at the top is often more challenging than breaking in. It’s one thing to be invited to the party; it’s another to stay relevant and continue growing.

So, what would happen if I stopped?

If I stopped, I’d be walking away from my directing dreams. There might be comfort in pausing or stepping away, but it would also mean surrendering the pursuit of excellence and leaving my potential untapped. The path I’ve chosen requires perseverance. It’s hard to stay at the top, and it’s easy to get discouraged, but that’s where the real challenge lies. Stopping now would feel like giving up before I’ve truly reached what I’m capable of. I’ve already made significant progress, and continuing would allow me to refine my style, strengthen my reputation, and most importantly push the boundaries of what I can achieve.

The steps I’ve already taken were the hard ones. Now, it’s about consistency, staying focused, and building upon those early wins. Staying the course means continuing to evolve, to innovate, and to use my voice as an artist to create work that is unmistakably my teams.

It’s still a long road, even when your’e established, and though it can feel overwhelming at times, I know that growth happens when you keep moving forward. The next steps are as much about resilience and persistence as they are about talent. And I’m committed to staying in the game, because I believe the best is yet to come.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a director, producer, and the owner of Chrome Bumper Films, a full-service production and post-production company. Our award winning work spans music videos, commercials, advertising, marketing, documentaries, episodic television, short films, and features, but at the heart of it all, we specialize in storytelling.

I started directing at 18 years old with my first music video for the soundtrack from the movie Point Break. Yes, that Point Break. Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, bank robbing surfers, the whole nine yards. At the time, movie soundtracks were often as influential and commercially successful as the films themselves. And just like that, my work was in regular rotation on MTV, and soon I was directing videos and projects for artists and bands like Eminem, 50cent, Kid Rock, Sponge, George Clinton, The Romantics, His Name is Alive, The Melvins, even Tori Amos, and a bunch of other artists whose names look great in a resume flex.

I worked closely with Eminem for over 8 years, directing some of his most iconic projects. As his career skyrocketed, so did mine. I became his trusted, in-house director for nearly all visual content. At one point, he was 99% of my work. My film office was in the same building as his recording studio, making collaboration seamless. My work with Eminem spanned a wide range of projects, from directing music videos like (Mockingbird) to editing live performances such as (Live from Madison Square Garden) for Showtime. I also worked on many of his concert tour DVDs (The Anger Management Tour), directed television appearances (Top of the Pops), and directed several concert tour intro films. Additionally, I directed and produced his record-breaking documentary (Eminem: All Access Europe), provided album cover design support (The Re-Up), and even had a hand in post-production on a segment of the 8 Mile DVD. More recently, my filmed archive footage from earlier in his career was featured in the documentary STANS, allowing me to continue contributing to the story of his journey in a meaningful way. With Eminem’s success came more opportunities, I directed or filmed projects featuring 50 Cent, D12, Dido, Lady A, Marilyn Manson, Obie Trice, Sigur Ros, and even legends like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Willie Nelson.

By this point, I was directing/producing massive 40 multi-camera productions, including Kid Rock stadium concerts with helicopter footage (because why not?). But then MTV did the unthinkable, it stopped playing music videos. So, like a camera on a tripod, I panned and pivoted. As advertising and documentaries adopted the fast-paced, music-driven storytelling style pioneered by MTV, transitioning into commercial and documentary work was a natural progression for myself and Chrome Bumper Films. Advertising and documentaries became my new playground. I won Best Director at the New York Film Festival for a documentary about Russian hockey legend Igor Larionov. My work for brands like General Motors, and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System including projects featuring QB Matthew Stafford snagged Emmys, MarCom Awards, Telly Awards. and even a Super Bowl ad. And somewhere in there, I did a few projects for HBO Max, directing a episode for an HBO original series and editing a HBO comedy series, and directing over 60 award winning micro-documentaries on artists and painters because apparently, I can’t resist to help creatively showcase a talented artist.

Creativity is what separates Chrome Bumper Films from the rest, it transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. My goal has never been to settle for “good enough.” I want to craft experiences that pull you in, hold you, and leave a lasting impression. The beauty of creative filmmaking is that it doesn’t come with a manual or somehow learn watching a youtube channel. True creativity isn’t a formula, it’s instinct, risk, and discovery. It begins with learning the fundamentals of filmmaking and then having the courage to push the pedal to the floor.

Music is a big part of my storytelling. Music and Film, in particular, are inseparable in my process. They’re partners in a creative marriage, each amplifying the other until the story doesn’t just unfold, it resonates. When the right image meets the right piece of music, it stops being just a story on screen. It becomes something you feel.
But talent and vision alone aren’t enough in this industry. The truth is, every step of my journey has been shaped by the people I’ve met along the way. Mentors, collaborators, clients, and friends who believed in me when it mattered most. Filmmaking is, at its core, a collective art. It requires trust, teamwork, and the dedication of people who share the same passion for bringing an idea to life. I wouldn’t be where I am without them, and I know the path ahead will continue to be built on those relationships.

As a member of the Television Academy, I aspire to stand among the best in this craft, not for recognition, but because the pursuit itself demands growth. Staying at that level requires humility, hard work, and the willingness to keep learning, even after decades in the industry. Success is never a straight road. It’s filled with unexpected turns, challenges that test you, and moments that redefine your direction.

Through it all, my mission remains the same: to carve my own path, to push creative boundaries, and to tell stories that matter. Stories that aren’t just watched, but felt, remembered, and carried with you long after the credits roll.

Currently, I am being considered for the Apple Studios Directors Program, a prestigious 6-month masterclass that offers the incredible opportunity to collaborate with ongoing Apple Studios productions. I am deeply grateful for the chance to be a part of this program, as it would be a significant step in furthering my aspirations of becoming an episodic director on a major Apple Studios series. I truly hope I can earn this opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to such groundbreaking work.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I don’t think there was one specific person who saw me for who I would become, both as a person and as a film director in this industry. I believe there were several. My friends, my colleagues, and perhaps a few teachers who recognized I was on the right path. Citing my creativity, collaboration, organizational skills, leadership, and my willingness to continuously learn and improve, both in my craft and as an individual.

Some people have since told me they always knew I would achieve my goals and find success in my chosen career. I have never really looked from the outside and rated myself as a success or less. However, some personal relationships were left behind along the way because of my dedication to the craft of filmmaking and my desire to be the best. These relationships either suffered due to the limited time I could invest in them or became strained by envy over the attention and success I was receiving. Regardless, my focus was always on my career first, and life second.

Even now, I don’t feel as though I’ve fully reached the goals I set for myself when I first began this journey. There have been several stages along the way that served as important stepping stones, moments that showed me I was moving in the right direction, but I still approach the path ahead with the same hunger and determination as when I first started.

I often wish my mother were still here to witness the growth of my career and the milestones I’ve achieved. She saw only the early stages, just when the years of dedication to a creative path were beginning to show results. Her belief in me, and her encouragement to pursue this artistic life, were powerful influences that helped shape the direction I chose. Her presence is still felt in every accomplishment.

Mothers are rarely given enough praise for the quiet guidance they provide, the subtle shadows of wisdom and support that shape who we become. Their influence often goes unnoticed because it is gentle, patient, and woven into the everyday moments of life, yet it leaves an indelible mark on our character, our choices, and our path forward.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were many times throughout my career when I felt like walking away from it all. Every filmmaker has war stories, but some of mine came from situations that were genuinely discouraging projects derailed by egotistical bands or singers, bitter crew members, disrespectful clients, executive producers with something to prove, and even actors who tried to undermine the process. Some individuals seemed determined to sabotage the project or damage my career simply because they didn’t align with my creative vision, style, or work ethic. Others were driven by insecurity or a need for control, convinced they were more qualified and that I had no place leading the project. I’ve even had someone openly try to convince the crew that I wasn’t capable as their director, even though they originally hired me, almost hoping I would fail or walk off set.

These experiences taught me a hard but necessary truth: you can’t change people, their egos, or the way they treat others. What you can control is your response. My responsibility was always to the work, to make the project the best it could possibly be and to treat each challenging moment as a one-off obstacle rather than a constant in my career. Professionalism had to come first. Walking away in anger or matching someone’s negative behavior would’ve cost me far more than the momentary satisfaction of proving a point.

In this industry, there will always be people who want to see you fail. There will always be those who believe they deserve the opportunities you’ve earned. Rising above that noise, staying composed, focused, and grounded is the key to long-term success. I learned that the individuals who try to tear others down are usually the first to find themselves surrounded by controversy and blame.

What truly matters is how you carry yourself in the middle of all of it. Your behavior, your integrity, and the way you handle pressure will be remembered long after the project wraps. Good or bad, it becomes part of your reputation. By staying above the pettiness and maintaining professionalism, you not only protect your career, you strengthen it.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Doing things the right way has always been what matters most to me. It’s at the core of how I approach every film project, and it carries into my everyday life. I’ve never believed in cutting corners, skipping steps, or settling for a watered-down version of what something should be. Filmmaking, at its best, is about intention, about crafting the story the right way, not the easiest way.

Yes, there will always be budget limitations, scheduling challenges, and outside pressures that affect how you shoot. But those obstacles should never dictate the integrity of how you film or edit. The process should always honor the story, the craft, and the standards you’ve built your career on. Even my everyday life mirrors these principals.

Another principle I hold tightly to is fighting for the truth. In this industry, and in life, there will always be people who try to rewrite the narrative, distort facts, or manipulate situations to suit their own agendas. This is a big one. You have to stand firm in the truth and hold onto your integrity, even when others try to twist it.

And, unfortunately, there will always be those who want to see you stumble, who try to undermine your work or cast you as the problem. But in the long run, those are the people who fail. Their actions eventually catch up with them.

Don’t let anyone manipulate the truth or paint a false picture of who you are. Stay committed to doing things the right way, stay grounded in integrity, and the work, and the truth, will speak for itself.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was a good and honest person who tried to do things the right way. Even when the right way took twice as long, cost twice as much, and definitely added a few gray hairs. I want them to remember that I poured honesty and heart into everything I made, and that my body of work wasn’t just creative, but genuinely meaningful and memorable. Every project, every frame, every detail was a reflection of a commitment to excellence, integrity, and a deep respect for the art of storytelling.

And if I’m lucky, maybe they’ll say, “He pushed filmmaking forward, he never cut corners, and somehow managed to stay sane dealing with all the chaos that comes with this industry.” If people can look at what I leave behind and see both the artistry and the stubborn, slightly sarcastic human behind it, that’s the legacy I hope to leave. I hope they remember someone who laughed in the face of absurd challenges, kept perspective when things went sideways, and never lost sight of the joy and wonder that drew him to this work in the first place.

He listened, communicated clearly, and built relationships based on respect rather than ego. He stayed curious, stayed humble, and kept pushing creative boundaries in every project he touched. He believed in the power of collaboration and the magic that comes from bringing together a group of talented people, each contributing their own voice, toward a shared vision. He wanted the perfect creative day, not because perfection was always attainable, but because the pursuit of it brought out the best in everyone.

In his life, he made mistakes, but he usually never made the same mistake twice. He valued people of genuine character, surrounding himself with those whose honesty and goodness made the world better simply by being in it. He celebrated creativity wherever he found it, mentored when he could, and never shied away from a challenge that might teach him something new.

Ultimately, I hope people remember me as someone who loved what I did, loved the people I worked with, and did my best to leave both a meaningful body of work and a small trail of decency in the world. If that’s the story they tell, I will have lived a life worth remembering.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chromebumperfilms.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chromebumperfilms555
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quig555
• Twitter: https://x.com/chromebumpernet
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChromeBumperFilms
• Yelp: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2131826
• Youtube: https://vimeo.com/quig555
• Soundcloud: https://vimeopro.com/quig555/artist-profiles
• Other: https://www.60secondsmovie.com

Image Credits
Michael Adams
Lauren Smoker
Jeremy Deputat
Chris Stranad
John Quigley