We were lucky to catch up with George Paul Knapp recently and have shared our conversation below.

George Paul, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Before I first started my journey into the insufferable void that is freelancing, I was just a guy with a dream that one day; I would be able to make a living doing what I love. Having that mentality is a risk in and of itself, becoming a full-time filmmaker is about as unrealistic as being an astronaut. But, to a bold few, it may seem feasible enough to pursue. I would like to think of myself as one of those bold few. It has been 5 years since I started this journey, and it’s paid off (so far) beautifully.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a multifaceted freelance media professional, with multiple years of experience at all levels of production. My focus is on video/audio capture & creative direction. I started working in the film industry while at university as a production intern for the documentary film production company Maisie Crowe, LLC. There I fell in love with the documentary format. I became passionate about telling the stories that we all carry as individuals. Everyone has a history, a story. As a documentary filmmaker, I find that principle crucial in my process. Photography is also an extreme passion of mine. I take

I have worked in many fields in the production ecosphere. While at university I began taking acting classes, I was always starved of attention, I sought validation in all aspects. Although, with that being said acting on stage gave me something I could’ve never imagined, a purpose. I was not enrolled in any theatre programs, I just showed up, I was given a chance and I took it. Skip forward 2 years, I am award-nominated, critically acclaimed, and still seeking validation. Acting is my love, my passion, and my purpose. I love taking the portraits of strangers and friends. It all started with a museum exhibit in which there was a line of portraits but they were not photographs, they were just stationary videos of someone’s face and I never knew video resolution/video capture could become so sharp and “life like”.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

Eventually, a goal of mine in the creative journey is to make a film in every genre; the western, the noir crime drama, comedy, thriller, horror, etc. That’s for filmmaking, however, that isn’t all I am—looking forward to in the future. Down the line I see myself teaching the future how to practice drama with an institute. Maybe I’ll start with a theater company, that’s for drama. A note I want to mention about setting goals; is that you need to allow yourself to unfold naturally. Do not dictate your life by setting rules, allow your creativity to flourish without bounds. With that being said, if you set off to create something creative, finish it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a creative person, I could say that one of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been when people who I have never met go out of their way to admire my efforts. I know that may sound selfish, but these days I think it’s important to have self-respect above all things. As an artist it is important to know where you are as a person, an ego is easy to grow when strangers shower you with praise. Check yourself before you wreck yourself, love.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @georgepaulknapp @gpkfilms @latenightwithgeorge
• Twitter: @georgeknapp1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCejjMTihqPgHQdsBnep7Nsw
• Other: https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/things-to-do-review-of-talk-radio-with-dirt-dogs-theatre-company-10821539 Acting Press^

Image Credits
Avalon Stevens @alivendwell Armando Franco Lopez @franco.a.l Pierre Breaux @art.bypierre