We were lucky to catch up with Benét Embry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Benét, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I took the risk of believing in myself. That is the hardest thing to do. This world is full of negativity, and you can easily get lost in that or you get caught up in the comfort zone of complacency. When I started doing poetry people laughed until those same people had to start paying to me to perform. When I started doing ‘The Benet Embry Show’ people laughed until they started asking me to put their artist on. When I started acting, writing and directing people laughed until I started winning awards. Now those same people who did all that laughing are auditioning to be in my movies. Long story short, take the risk on YOU. You may get rejected and a thousand people saying ‘No’ but all you need is one ‘yes’ to change your entire circumstances. If you keep your faith in God, his mercy, grace and his purpose for you, it is just a matter of time. Your blessing is coming.

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.

I started by writing poetry. That gravitated to me performing in open mics. At some point a producer approached me saying he liked my voice and my stage presence and started about starting a radio show. I didn’t give it much thought, but I went to the studio, and they gave me a challenge to talk about peeling a banana, both the pros and cons. Apparently, everything went well and The Benét Embry Radio Show started. I didn’t realize it, but it was the beginning of the podcast of The Benet Embry Show with myself, James Cain (who is my best friend/brother) and LaTressa Bagsby (Smiley). Instantly it was a hit. We already had chemistry due to all of us being from Tyler, Tx and being in high school together. As life happens, we lost LaTressa but we found Nikki Jackson and Mark Holmes. The show was great before but with the addition of Nikki and Mark, it took us to a whole different stratosphere. It was completely epic. With the popularity of the show different opportunities came about and I was approached about doing stage plays. I never considered myself an actor, but it felt good being back on stage and hearing the crowd’s reaction. After that I was offered my first movie role, a bit part but I was hooked. I started diving deeper into the acting world. I landed a couple of roles. I was fired from a couple of roles. I was talented but raw and I noticed because of my age and stature that I was only being cast for certain roles, I was stereotyped. From that point I decided to take my own fate in my hands and went back to my roots and started writing. This time it wasn’t straight poetry but screenplays with a poetic feel. If the opportunities weren’t there I would create my own. That led to the creation of Benét Embry Films. The first opportunity to write a movie and direct was a failure due to the fact the movie never came out. Hopefully it will. It is a super dope movie, cast and script. Respect to the cast and crew of ‘Love Torn Between Two’. The movie won awards in multiple film festivals but to this date has never been seen. Jeremiah 29:11 states “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. That setback would lead to something better. I linked up back up with the associated producer of the initial project Hudrell Jones and we created our production company Clearwater Productions. The name ‘Clearwater’ was chosen as an emblem and symbolism for ‘transparency’. It is our work ethic. We at Clearwater Productions LLC believe in being transparent and positive in all our businesses. We believe in honor and true integrity. Our motto is ‘”IMAGERY WITH A CLEAR VISION”. Now we have a new movie (Older Man Younger Woman) that will be released in the fall on 2023 and now working on another film called ‘Ten Toes Down’.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think because my actions speak louder than words. The people that work with me see my effort and my grind. They know when they get me either in front of the camera, behind the camera or whatever role I have in the project, they are going to get 100 percent of the max of whatever is required of me. People who work with me know I am not all talk; I am action. Trust, accountability are paramount. That with prudence, foritude, temperance and justice. Infuse your life with action, inaction breeds doubt and fear.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

What I have learned with managing teams and people is you have to set the example, grind with them. If you are a true ‘Boss’ you never have to say it. The way you move, how you treat people positively motivates people. That leads to high morale both for the project and everybody involved. A high tide raises all ships.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clearwaterproductionsllc.com
• Instagram: BenetEmbry
• Facebook: Benet Embry
• Linkedin: Benét Embry
• Twitter: BenetEmbryShow
• Youtube: The Benet Emrbry Show

Image Credits
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