Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Janney.
Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have wanted to make film and tv ever since high school, while also having a passion for history and the world. I went to UCLA and graduated with a dual degree in Economics and History, thereafter working as an Analyst for Deutsche Bank to learn more about business and ‘professionalism’. But in 2015, I knew I needed to get back to my passion. Without much of a plan, I started producing short films, which somehow was enough to get me into UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television, where I received a Master’s in Producing.
While in grad school, I took a class on digital media, and realized how much YouTube edutainment-style content has impacted me since the mid-2010s, and moreso, how much I would love to start making YouTube content as part of my career. Since my mid-20s, I’ve developed a passion for craft beer, so and during Covid lockdown with Hollywood effectively ‘closed’, I took the opportunity to start a YouTube channel about beer from around the world called ‘On Tap, which I still run part-time. I am also this year looking to start a second YouTube channel that produces longer-form podcast-type episodes more centered around my curiosity about the world and its people. Though beer may still be a part of that!
I still focus most of my efforts on pursuing a career in legacy film & tv however, and I currently work at Anonymous Content, one of the premier management and production companies in Hollywood. Anonymous makes the sort of projects I have always been interested in – thoughtful, well-made quality adult-focused dramas with good budgets. I am extremely grateful to work at such a dynamic company with top=tier quality people and ideas and hope down the road to blend my love of both conventional film and tv with short form/YouTube-style content.
Outside of producing, I am also a partner at the Shanghai-based education startup IvyPath, a company that provides Chinese students with online tutoring and instruction in a variety of subjects from native-English speakers in the US and UK, and also do consulting work for Quad Education/Inspira, where I coach select students in the college admissions process. These roles came about through my interest in learning and education, which I see as something we should always be doing.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has certainly not been a smooth road, that’s for sure. For one, I had applied to films schools on two separate occasions before getting into UCLA as part of the class of 2019. Furthermore, the jump from finance to film school took longer than I would have liked, given that I lot of the earliest projects I pursued right after working at Deutsche Bank ended in failure. Finally, Covid has not been kind to mainstream Hollywood, whereby after graduation from school, it definitely took some time to end up at a company like Anonymous, which ever since I learned about it in school had been one of my absolute top choices as far as places to work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I am most proud of thus far:
How I see myself is someone who wants to work in a space that brings film and tv short form media, and long-form digital media such as podcasting together. This is a work in progress, but as I have thought more about the current state of the industry landscape, such a merger of these (at present) seemingly disparate fields makes more and more sense to me as time goes on.
I would say I am known for my interest in the world, love of history merged with storytelling, and thirst for knowledge and understanding, which does not always overlap perfectly with the ‘conventional’ daily life of someone in the LA film & tv industry.
Whatever I do, whether it is a short film I produce, a YouTube channel about craft beer, education companies I consult for or partially run, projects at work that I give my thoughts on, or scripts that I write, I want to bring a depth of knowledge, understanding, and nuance to the work that I create.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have found that knowing what you want and having a clear goal of what you hope to accomplish in life really helps in terms of connecting with people who themselves are on good trajectories. The basic elements of being professional, speaking well, showing up on time, etc. almost go without saying. Being humble, not bragging to compensate for things you lack and knowing that a mentor has value lets you be open to learning, which is something every mentor I have had really appreciates. Finally, ask good questions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris.in.la/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-janney-234a1012/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpNxdVsbRoHg70pp80sXkkQ
