Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean-Paul Chreky.
Hi Jean-Paul, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born to artistic parents in the Washington, D.C., area and grew up surrounded by a mix of structure and eccentricities. My father is a celebrity hairstylist. My mother owned a dance school and taught tap, jazz, and ballet for many years. My uncle was an actor on Broadway and an extraordinary tap dancer. For as long as I can remember, I adored sports, organized plays, performed martial arts, played instruments, filmed homemade movies, and loved to wear costumes, even to school. Despite this, I became captivated by the ocean world, primarily due to Jacques Cousteau’s underwater documentaries.
I decided to pursue a career in science or medicine, earning an undergraduate degree in Biology and a minor in Film Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The television show Dawson’s Creek was filmed on my campus. So, it was really on set that I fell in love with the filmmaking process. Frank Capra Jr., whose father made films such as It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story, became my professor and later my first film industry mentor. There was a moment when I realized that making films was no longer a choice but a destiny.
I went south for graduate school and received a Master of Fine Arts in Motion Picture Production and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami. My first-year graduate film, Triton, and graduate thesis film, The Shell, took top producing and the best director awards at the prestigious University of Miami Canes Film Festival.
Since then, I have worked on over seventy productions in various roles and have instructed film production classes at several universities. I also earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, co-owned a successful bar and lounge, and am a PADI Certified Master Scuba Diver.
Today, I continue to focus on the development of several narrative feature films and am writing a screenplay that I will direct in the not-so-distant future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road. Life, in general, is not always a smooth road, but the obstacles on most journeys often are the most interesting upon reflection. Some of the struggles along the way include simply making the emotional transition from a scientist to an artist. For one, that is not a typical thing for people to do, especially academically. Another challenge was figuring out exactly what to do after graduation. The world has countless opportunities but just as many paths that do not always guarantee the outcome one seeks. Before making any decision, it is best to determine what you hope to achieve from it. For instance, I knew I wanted to make narrative films, so I took steps to make that happen. Regardless of the costs, I enjoyed the experience. My goal was to learn, adapt, and grow; nothing else mattered but the filmmaking process. When starting, those fortunate enough to reside in the United States have the luxury to explore opportunities and see where they want to go without much consequence.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in filmmaking and have worked on many feature films in various roles. I primarily studied directing in film school, an aspect of filmmaking I enjoy most. Additionally, I enjoy writing, script supervising, and producing.
I am most proud of our high-quality films that have become important to society. What sets me apart from others is that I come from a diverse background, educationally, socially, and with life experiences, which allows me to work well with a variety of personalities while understanding the roles of others from their perspectives. Combined with a positive attitude, and vigorous work ethic, I have succeeded because I genuinely enjoy the collaboration process when making a film.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
As mentioned, Frank Capra Jr., out of Wilmington, North Carolina, was my first film industry mentor. I did not really find him as much as he found me. My very first film class was at Screen Gems Studios. When I went to the screening room and sat silently, I thought I did not belong. After all, I was studying biology. Before I could leave, the other students started coming in and sitting beside me, surrounding me, and talking to me. Frank Capra Jr. came in, and all the students said, “Oh my God, there he is!” I had no idea who he was. The syllabus was also intimidating. I decided I had to drop that class; it was the last day to drop.
You know, when you get something you wanted, but once you have it, you start thinking, I don’t even know if I want this anymore. I left the room, motioned the professor to enter the hallway, and told him how I felt. Frank Capra Jr. touched my shoulder and said, “It’s going to be OK. I majored in geology.” I went back in, sat in the chair, and looked at my watch; I was stuck in that class. Afterward, I realized that filmmaking was what I wanted to do. Frank became my mentor and guided me for many years as I progressed in the film industry. My advice is not to find a mentor; if you are passionate about what you do, a mentor will find you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jean-paulchreky.com
