We were lucky to catch up with Jerome R Shuler Jr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jerome R, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

If I could go back and time I would have definitely started my business sooner. I started my business right before the pandemic hit in February of 2020. Life wise, I was at a dead end job where I had no intention of staying. Career wise I was still trying to navigate the film industry here in Atlanta and wasn’t actively auditioning for acting roles.

Looking back I would’ve jumped head first into the film industry here. Both as a videographer and actor. The constraints of “societal norms” is what held me back. You’re supposed to do this, you’re supposed to do that. Which to me translates to you have to play it safe.

Playing it safe can keep you from your life’s true purpose and path. Being an entrepreneur can be unpredictable with many ups and downs. You just have to hold on for the ride.

Jerome R, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Theatre was my gateway to the film industry. I’m a trained theater actor with a BFA from Montclair State University. Home to talents like Josh Dela Cruz ( Blues Clues) and Rob MCClure ( Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway). The magic of theatre and storytelling is contagious. Naturally my curiosity in storytelling transcended to film as well.

The services I provide are geared towards actors and small businesses. Especially with the ongoing strike I believe it’s important for actors to have a creative outlet. To be able to build their reels and have quality headshots at an affordable price.

The same with small businesses. Having worked for years in the restaurant industry I know how hard it is to stay a float. The reality is that it’s extremely difficult for small businesses to succeed in this climate let alone have the budget for social media marketing or a full time videographer. Our services keep this all in mind and are structured to be affordable and effective.

We take it back to the basics. We focus on telling the story of the business and the people who support these businesses with interviews, tours of their establishment, and products. These long form videos can be used for YouTube then broken down to reels for social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. We focus on quality not quantity.

I truly believe in what I do and I’m doing what I love. When we work with a business it’s because we believe in them and their vision. We all need money to survive but when you’re where you want to be the money is icing on the cake. It’s exciting when content we create lands and connects with the target audience.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think something non creatives struggle to understand about the creative journey is that it’s never ending. It’s a calling. As much as it’s a gift it really is a curse. The need to create for me at least, will never be satisfied.

I’m always finding new ways to be creative, to tell stories, and express myself. At the end of the day my art is an expression of myself. There’s healing there. Art can do that for the artist and it’s audience. Im a creative who has to express themselves or I would literally waste away and die. It’s dramatic of course, but my truth.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My particular mission driving my creative journey is knowledge of self for not only me, but those around me. The world seems to be black and white, we never live in the gray. However through art we live in the gray. Through art we challenge these human constructs. Through art we offer a different perspective and the chance to connect on a human level that’s not just surface.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.madelineaveproductions.com
• Instagram: @jeromeshulerjr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadelineAveProductions?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-r-shuler-jr-2280b549
• Youtube: Madeline Ave Productions – YouTube https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCiA4Uiujo_ovNUwRJ0J0wcQ
• Yelp: MADELINE AVE PRODUCTIONS – Request Information – Yelp https://m.yelp.com/biz/madeline-ave-productions-atlanta
• Other: https://g.co/kgs/74bnSy

Image Credits
Jerome R Shuler Jr