We recently connected with Christopher Rice and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

After graduating from college and seeking opportunities in my field of study, I started freelancing and filming projects such as baby showers, birthdays, interviews, and any other event that will need video service. If the client were paying, I would be there if available. I was trying to survive while keeping the dream alive during those times. I knew my main focus was television and film, but I have yet to break through the industry. I learned a hard lesson with my approach to chasing money and not your passion. I received this opportunity to film a dance instructional video for this client who was paying me the biggest payout I ever received for any project. I knew what was required of me to fulfill the project, but I never considered whether I had the “right resources” to get the job done. The only thing on my mind was the financial gain, so I cut corners when hiring and renting the things needed to make the outcome successful. After filming the project, I didn’t realize deep of a hole I had dug for myself. After hours of video editing and sending over countless rough drafts, it was revealed some media from the project were never captured. Not only that, the client spent a lot of money to rent out the venue, hire the talent, and pay me. She was upset and planned to sue me because we had signed a contractual agreement. Once she realized we couldn’t salvage the project, she gave me the ultimate pass by telling me, “let this be a lesson for you moving forward.” She decided not to sue me, and I never filmed a dance video again. The ultimate lesson I learned about myself is when I’m chasing money, my focus is lacking in certain areas, but when I am passionate about something, that’s where I shine. Since then, I have refused to shoot baby showers, birthdays, events, or anything that doesn’t spark my interest.

Christopher, 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?

I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I move to Atlanta, Georgia, for college to pursue a career in video production. My time at the school was informative because I took no media courses in high school. The letdown became once I graduated; I was left to find jobs on my own like the other students. Unfortunately, the school promised they were well connected in the industry, which wasn’t true. That was devastating to many of us, but my advisor told me, “there are going to be students who will. move on and do other things, but she said she wanted me to stick to the path.” One of my most significant accomplishments for myself throughout my journey was sticking to the craft. I spent some years working a general labor job before building enough clientele, equipment, and a financial status where I could branch out on my own. Currently, my new goal is to create an audience for my original content with my creative writing and eventually film my projects.

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.

Some of the struggles for me is staying focused on creating while dealing with life’s obstacles. To sell something to people they view worth buying is a slow burn, but trying to sell art to people they view worth buying is a slower burn. I would tell anybody to take time out or every other day to work on their craft until it becomes part of their routine. Lastly, I would tell creators to enjoy the process because laying the foundation is the most challenging part of the journey.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had known earlier that most freelance jobs don’t care if you have a degree because this could have saved me tuition money. Most of your resources will come from the people around you, not those you are trying to stand next to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hicreativechris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hicreativechris/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherrice89/