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

Gadrien, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

The biggest trend in my industry is the art of imitation and reproduction. Now a days being original seems to be taboo and everyone is copying off of everyone. Honestly I get it but I feel it’s time for some newness. Don’t get me wrong some of my favorite shows bit off of older shows. A great example is The Sammy Davis Jr show which led to the Flip Wilson show, The Richard Pryor show, The Chris Rick show even the Chapelle show and key and Peele. They literally used the same format. I feel like Covid changed our society, the way we think even the way a-lot of us perceive things now a days is different than the latter. Are we running out of stories? Are we running out of ideas and creativity? No, atleast I don’t think so, I feel it’s just easier for people to copy other arts of work. Now is the dawn of a new age in the entertainment industry and my hopes are to change the perception of our culture as not just Black and Brown people but of all people. It’s is literally up to us to control our own narratives.

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.

For me becoming apart of the industry was like a dream, I never knew how I would bring it into fruition. Sometimes believing in yourself with supreme confidence looks crazy to people on the outside looking in. Now as I write this and reflect on the beginning of my career I’m not sure if it was dumb luck or a divine happenstance. How does one go from picking up trash to picking people to cast? How does a convicted felon who was a victim of his own self destruction remold and recreate his life? Honestly I don’t even know, but I do know I prayed for this, I meditated daily on the how I would change my life for the better. While incarcerated a good friend of mines more like a brother gave me the knowledge on the film industry in Atlanta. After years of building my understanding of the film industry Terrance called me with an opportunity to work on a reality show. My energy was so intense in the beginning, “ Manny can you operate a forklift?” My mind said no but for some reason my mouth said “most definitely.” I lied, Terrance showed me how to go forward and backwards and in 3-5 minutes I was rolling as if I’d been driving a lift for years. Next thing you know I’m operating all the heavy machinery required to build, maintain or destroy sets. By the time I worked on my 4 th show I began to dissect sets, who’s the director? The producers? The writers? How do I become one of them I asked myself. I worked hard to the point where if you see me on set and I’m not sweating you already knew the work was done. I built my reputation on hard work and networking. Other members of my crew would begin noticing directors and producers calling me by name, actors and actress entranced in deep conversations with me made popular amongst my Union brothers and sisters. When I got the opportunity to head to New Mexico and work directly under a director I knew then that my story was truly just beginning. Now fast forward years later and I’ve finally shot my first film, which will be out soon I’m excited about that, I’ve signed own to direct other projects and I will be in production on my first series this summer titled The Base. This year I’m not playing and my goal is to make Ghetto Global Productions a known entity around the globe.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After the shooting my first film I was like a madman, within two weeks I was halfway done editing my movie and the unexpected happened.. My computer and hard drive were stolen never to be seen by my eyes again. I was heartbroken, depressed even. The best thing I did was make a copy of my film on a separate hard drive. The second time trying to edit was more difficult, I needed a new Mac that could handle the RAW 6k quality I shot my movie in. It has most definitely been a journey, during the completion of this process I literally lost everything it was so hard to pull myself up, but I did and for that I can only thank The Big Guy upstairs. So wise words of wisdom from me to you never give up on yourself or your dreams no matter what.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I literally built my audience off of networking. Earlier in my career I would be in night clubs every night from Sunday to Sunday. I would talk to all the new artist all the camera men and djs and before I’d depart I’d say follow my ig let’s network and they did. I’m thankful being a small business is hard but due to the building of respect in my own city provided for me and my family for years. I will forever be greatful.

Contact Info:

• Website: under construction)
• Instagram: GhettoGlobalProductions
• Linkedin: Gadrien Williams
• Twitter: Iamzone6fresh
• Youtube: Ghetto Global Productions
• Other: IMDb. Gadrien Williams (under construction)

Image Credits
All images owned by GGP LLC… Terrance Allen on set of Creed 3 picture taken by G Williams of GGP LLC..