We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Josh Same. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Josh below.

Alright, Josh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The Alliance Theatre short film “Sit In” is a story inspired by true events  celebrating the power that youth has to change history. Early in the pandemic, the Palette Group brought me in as the lead animator.  Alongside a powerful cast and crew (special shoutouts to Andrew Asher & Hey  Buddy CC), we embarked on a nearly half year journey of turning what would  have originally been a theatrical performance into a 33-minute animated short. While working on this project, America was at a height of being confronted with  racial injustice as protests were happening at a global scale. To me, this wasn’t  just a movie, but a way to speak up for what matters most. The New York Times described the production as “a vivid interplay of images …  exploring race and resistance for children.”  Broadcast on PBS, utilized by the Georgia Department of Education, and hosted  on TheaterWorksUSA, this film is available for a diverse student population all  throughout North America.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Since I was a kid, I’ve been making videos. I love finding subtle and unusual  ways of sharing complex and meaningful narratives. That passion has evolved  over the years as I attempt to tell better stories. Traditional linear video is an effective marketing and storytelling tool, but  sometimes they come off as impersonal. By making videos interactive, a one way pitch turns into a two-way conversation. Rather than just watching a video, the viewer gets to be a part of the moment  and that concept really excites me.  Last year at the 2021 US OPEN, I helped Collective Vision Media manage the  interactive experiences for Mercedes Benz. With a combination of LCD screens,  an LED wall and AR/VR technology, over 2,600 fans got to play a virtual game of  tennis right at the center of the action. Currently I am crafting some virtual reality experiences, and look to explore  interactivity in the music and travel industries.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Earlier last year I decided to quit my job to invest as much energy as possible  into making my dreams come true. Instead of having most of my days planned by others, I choose my own  schedule and try to only work on gigs that spark joy and fulfillment. This lifestyle shift has been invigorating but hasn’t come without challenges. I  am discovering that living an entrepreneurial life means anything is possible and  nothing is guaranteed. Constant re-evaluation is necessary and follow through  has become my own responsibility. Despite this, it is worth it because this  creative journey has let me carve my own path while having some fun in the  process.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Working less is something I never considered important to learn, until rather  recently. It’s easy to overlook self-care, personal health and family when you are caught  up working hard on what you find to be meaningful. But this is arguably the most essential work you can do, as it builds foundations  in your life that enable you to keep going even when times are tough. When pushing yourself to achieve big results, sometimes the best decision you  can make is to slow down, so you notice what you may be missing by forgetting  that less can be more. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joshsame.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesamejosh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshsame/

Image Credits
My personal photo was captured by Eliza Schweninger