Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to George Ellzey Jr.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, George thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I feel it often, to be honest, but my response to those feelings is different now. Like most artists, I work a 9 to 5 retail job with a master’s degree while managing my creative pursuits as a writer and director. For a moment last year, I thought about abandoning art because I was not content with my career trajectory. I struggled with finding fulfillment based on external validation. I would tell myself, “If I got into this festival, made this accomplishment, got that teaching job, connected with the right person, or received this award, I would be happy because everyone else would see my genius, and I would prove to people who doubted me that they were wrong and leave my regular job.” Unknowingly, I built my happiness on insecurity – on lack. I compared my trajectory to my creative peers, college classmates, and industry success stories instead of focusing on my path as a creative. I wanted people to know that I was a “successful” director and neglected the fullness of my reality. I am content now because I’ve learned to shift my perspective. Through deepening my faith in God, therapy, transparent conversations with my family members and close friends, and deleting my personal social media pages, I’ve become more entuned with my purpose and myself. I have not reached the pinnacle of complete inner and external confidence. I am still a flawed person, haha. But, I’m no longer grounding my happiness in validation or comparing my career to others but focusing on the intent of my stories, connecting with audiences authentically, and making myself and my small tribe proud – that’s what fuels my happiness; it makes the long days of retail manageable and the creative process more precious and enjoyable now.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Funding is vital for a thriving ecosystem in film. Filmmaking is not cheap. From paying cast and crew, equipment, post-production services, marketing material, promotion costs (film festival and screenwriting competition entry fees), and travel costs to attend festivals, cracking into the industry can feel daunting because of financial exhaustion. Although I am fortunate to have received substantial donations through crowdfunding from my family, community, and network to create my short films, money is a stress point as a creative. Though there are industry initiatives (grants, fellowships, apprenticeships, etc), those opportunities are limited, causing the pursuit to feel like crabs fighting in a barrel. I am a firm believer in hard work, investing in your skill, and perfecting your craft, but I do not believe creating art should lead to financial destitution to advance your career. Other countries, specifically in Europe or Canada, include national endowments for artists in their budgets or partial funding through the public lottery. I think that is one way to provide more access to film funding that is equitable. Along those lines, we must shift the American perspective of art as a viable and “normal” career path not based on the unrealistic financial binary of “famous” millionaires to starving. Being creative in all disciplines is challenging and satisfying. Anyone can have a sustainable profession in the arts.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My mother told me growing up, “What comes from the heart reaches the heart.” As a screenwriter and director, I aim to create stories that emotionally move people. I want my films to not only cause people to feel represented on screen but to present stories that reflect their humanity. When crafting the script individually or with my co-writer, I challenge myself to be emotionally vulnerable and transparent with the subject matter. Whether tender, comical, or uncomfortable, my job as a creative is to present authentic art, so it’s rewarding to see audiences from different walks of life, creeds, ages, and identities connect with my films. Although my work focuses specifically on the African American experience, my themes are universal. Everyone hurts. Everyone fails. Everyone experiences joy and love. It always moves my heart when I hear people speak from their hearts about how my work impacted them. That’s success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vimeo.com/georgellzeyjr
• Instagram: cottagegroveshortfilm
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeellzeyjr/

Image Credits
1 Patrick Agada and George Ellzey Jr. Photo Credit Mireillee Lamourt 2. Isaiah Sewel and George Ellzey Jr. Photo Credit Mireillee Lamourt (little boy and George in chair)’ 3. George Ellzey Jr. Photo Credit Mireillee Lamourt 4. Patrick Agada and George Ellzey Jr. Photo Credit Mireillee Lamourt 5. George Ellzey Jr. (Black & White) Photo Credit by Jeffrey Silva