We were lucky to catch up with Jeremy Germain recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jeremy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

While every project I work on is meaningful to me in some way, I’d have to say that my most recent short script, titled “The Impossible Question,” has been the most meaningful for a number of reasons. For a bit of background, the script follows 2 NASA programmers as they develop a program that will definitively answer the question of whether or not we’re alone in the universe. I wrote it about 2 years ago, and we are currently in the early stages of getting it into production this year.

This script is important to me, because it has been the most successful project I’ve done to date. It has been accepted into a total of 15 screenwriting festivals (and counting), placing in 5 and winning 3 awards. It has truly been an incredible experience, and I am so incredibly grateful for the response it’s gotten. But the external response is only one half of the equation. Regardless of how others perceive it, it’s deeply personal to me, because it explores the one thing I’ve been grappling with my entire life; identity. This script not only explores what belonging means in the grand scale of the universe, but also on a very personal and human level.

It’s the first time where I feel I’ve finally found my voice; my creative identity. And to be in a position where it’s received such positive recognition is the cherry on top. This is a project I’m very proud of, and I can’t wait to collaborate with other amazing artists to bring it to life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Latino filmmaker based in Chicago, Illinois. I studied writing and directing at Columbia College Chicago, and I’ve been freelancing for nearly a decade now across a number of different disciplines, primarily writing, directing, assistant directing, editing, motion graphics, and photography.

I’ve been fortunate enough to create and curate content for large scale corporations like McDonalds, MillerCoors, and The American Heart Association as well as local businesses such as the Chicago Music Exchange, Talus Films, and Aesthetic Vizion.

I provide product/brand photography, headshots, video, and motion design work for all kinds of brands and services.

What sets me apart is my experience across so many different creative arenas. My willingness to try, learn (and sometimes most importantly) fail is what pushes me further, allowing me to inject that knowledge and experience into every project I work on. Editing and writing may seem like completely different fields, but both involve dissecting a larger piece in order to make it the best that it can be, and both require a strong understanding of structure and pace. One informs the other. Likewise, photography and directing both require a strong creative vision and the ability to communicate that vision to multiple people.

What I always tell my clients is every project, whatever it is, is a conversation. That’s what art is. It’s back and forth, push and pull. There needs to be a strong sense of trust from both parties in order to make it work, and everything that I do is built on a foundation of trust and respect.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

One word: Humility.

I walk into every interaction wanting to learn something, anything, new. And to do that, I need to let go of my preconceived notions and expectations. The thing that helps the most with this is connecting with people on a personal level first.

I don’t like to walk into a conversation with business dominating my rhetoric. It feels very transactional when all we talk about is “what do you need me to do?” “How much is it going to cost?” “What’s your timeline?”

Now, obviously those things are important, but If I can separate that part of it as much as possible in the beginning, it allows for a much deeper and more authentic connection.

To me, personality makes just as much of an impact as work ethic. By approaching people as my authentic self, not only do I show people that I’m eager to learn and explore, but that I’m also willing to open my mind and change my perspective.

I truly think this allows people to feel very comfortable and trusting, and the same can be said for me.

Social media, digital marketing, portfolios, and networking are all critical aspects of building your brand, but the one thing that’s going to stick with people at the end of the day is who you are as a person.

Have you ever had to pivot?

This is something I think we can all relate to, but Covid had a huge impact on my career and worldview. I felt more lost than I ever had, frustrated at the state of the world and those that perpetuated it, and heartbroken for myself, my peers, and millions of others who suddenly had their industries shut down on them.

This presented a significant turning point for me creatively. I was stuck and confused over what my creative purpose was. Is art necessary in times like these? Am I being selfish for wanting to be creative? Am I better off choosing a different career path? These are all questions I asked myself over the past few years. And while it felt that I was losing my creative identity and passion, I came out of quarantine more passionate and sure of myself than ever.

Sometimes rediscovering your passion involves questioning it. As counterproductive as it seems, it’s these questions that served as a reminder of why I do what I do. And that’s to tell meaningful stories and help others tell theirs.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jeremygermain.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeremytakespics
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremymgermain/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/jeremygermain

Image Credits
Jordan Graves