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

James, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’ve been blessed to work on a few meaningful projects. I worked as a video editor and music composer for the documentary Still I Rise The Film by filmmaker and activist Sheri Shuster. The documentary brings awareness to child sex trafficking and the disproportionate impact it has on black girls and women. It follows the lives of survivor, artist, and activist Leah Albright-Byrd, and former police chief turned advocate, Holly Joshi.

I was an undergraduate student at U.C. Berkeley when I first applied as an intern for the documentary. I was juggling school, D1 Football, work, and teaching myself filmmaking by filming fun videos with friends. I applied with no expectation of hearing back. Although I lacked professional experience, Sheri believed in my potential. I grew from intern to lead video editor and music composer.

At that time, the longest video I edited was no longer than 5 minutes. Now she’s asking me to help her edit a feature length documentary. Of course I took it on. One thing I learned was HOW to tell a story through editing and how editing is essentially a process of re-writing. I recognized how our editorial choices can sensationalize trauma or humanize and contextualize the pain survivors shared with us.

Little did I know this project would teach me a great deal about myself, the intersections of race/gender, and the power of filmmaking to not only entertain, but serve as a channel for healing. I understood the power of filmmaking firsthand. It was then I knew I had to pursue this craft with intention and purpose.

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

Music is my foundation. In middle school, I started off creating hip hop beats in my room with my brother. Then my dad introduced me to the piano. The piano became my place of solace when words couldn’t provide such comfort.

I’d say my drive and work ethic stems from experience as an athlete from elementary all the way to D1 football. Growing up, I wasn’t always the smartest, but I put in the work. I applied the mentality I carried in football to give 110% into my schoolwork. This is all thanks to my high school coach and teammates who also pushed themselves to be the best versions of themselves on the field.

It wasn’t until undergrad at UC Berkeley that I connected my work ethic and passion for music with filmmaking. I started teaching myself filmmaking. I’d direct, shoot, and edit short parody videos, music videos, promotional content with my friend. I eventually landed an internship with documentarian Sheri Shuster on her documentary Still I Rise The Film. I was juggling school, multiple jobs, D1 football, and the internship.

After graduating college, Sheri received funding and brought me on as the full-time editor and music composer for the documentary. It was during this time of working on the documentary I decided to apply to USC where I received an M.F.A in Film & Television Production as a George Lucas Scholar

At USC, I’ve directed, composed, edited, sound designed/mixed short films. I’ve also PA’d, gripped, gaffed, DP’ed, produced. You name it. At USC, you get your hands on multiple positions. I also wrote two feature scripts and made great connections.

My short film, Eye for an i, about a young Black pianist grieving the loss of his sister to violence, was intended to be my graduate thesis. However, COVID-19 struck, impacting the entire world. My thesis film was canceled. I chose to take the film and shoot it independently. With the love and support of my team and community, we were able to successfully raise money to support our crowdfunding efforts, all during a globally rough time. The film had a great festival run, premiering at ABFF, and winning multiple awards. Eye for an i is currently streaming on American Airlines. This success led to me joining a team of writers assembled for a Village Roadshow feature film.

I’m currently expanding my screenwriting portfolio, while provided production and post-sound services. I’m grateful for all the connections I’ve made, the projects I’ve collaborated on and the ones I’m excited to bring to the world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s definitely the connections I make with my community through filmmaking. I’ve learned a great deal from my peers I’ve collaborated with. They push me and inspire to grow as a storyteller and a person.

I also love the impact the projects I’ve directed or collaborated on have. I’ve received random messages from strangers that appreciate the work I’ve done. Recently, I partnered with the non profit Anti-Violence Ventures where they hosted a training for young black boys and men to be ambassadors for violence prevention in our community. I shared my film Eye for an i that is meditation on the cycles from a young black teens perspective. The young men shared their stories and were inspired to use their voice and gifts to bring change and healing in our community.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Filmmaking is just a piece to a larger puzzle. My purpose is to simply give back. A village of people shaped me to be the person I am today. That I am forever grateful for. It is only right to inspire the next generation of storytellers and change makers.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.grisom/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/james-grisom-08ab06102

Image Credits
Gerson Leiva