We recently connected with James Reid Stafford and have shared our conversation below.

James Reid, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

So I’ve been apart of the Film Industry for eleven years now. For the first five, I went from set to set learning and gaining information about the industry. Even though I was in front of the camera, I began to take interest behind it as well. I asked a lot of crew members how they got to where they were and they all mostly went to College for it. I knew it was a process and was something I wanted to do so decided to go to college in 2017 where I’d major in screenwriting and directing. It was there where I got hands on experience and learned the ins and outs of the film industry. I sometimes wish I would’ve been more bold and dove into the industry quicker. The most important skill I’ve learned over these 11 years is to network..Networking is key and is how you survive within the industry. I meet people on a set, express the same passion as them and get to know one another. We are all starving artists and want to help each other. I honestly feel the outside world is what stood in the way of me learning more. I was stuck in what others were doing with their life and I wanted to join in on their fun. It was a huge distraction and quite the obstacle.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is James Reid lowrance but I go by James Reid Stafford. People confuse my name with “lawrence” so I go by my grandmas maiden name which is “stafford”.I come from a small country town about an hour east of Houston,Texas. I am an actor, filmmaker and Crew member. I have had a passion for acting since I was about 5 years old. Performing has just always been in me. I would dance in front of the TV watching shows and movies and repeat everything they said. I would say to my parents “ I want to do that”. I got my start in the Film/TV industry in 2012 when a movie called “Mulberry Stains” was filmed in my hometown. The local newspaper had an article about the movie and that they were needing extras. I sent an email to the production company expressing my interest and I was picked to be an extra. I had such a good time on set and I knew I wanted to get more involved. I became friends with some of the Actors, expressed my passion for acting and asked how they got to where they were. They suggested first that I build up a resume and get some portraits done to send to agencies and casting directors. I was a full time high student so didn’t want any distractions from my education. I wanted to stay in school. They suggested that I continue to be an extra. Several months later, the writer for Mulberry Stains who is also an Actress, was appearing in a movie series that needed extras. I emailed the production team and got my 2nd extra position. It was there where I met more people and connected. Next thing I know, I was onto my 3rd extra position. I met people on that set and connected as well. Over the next 5 years, I would connect with other extras, actors, directors etc and star in over 10 films/series. With me spending time on sets, I began to fall in love with how things went on behind the camera. In 2017, I moved to California to attend film school. I wanted to know the ins and out of cinema. While learning all the positions there are on a production, I had a liking for being a production Assistant. As a production assistant, you do anything and everything. Moving equipment, assisting the camera man, helping the lighting and sound crew etc. I have been in over 20 films/series working as a Production Assistant. If anything sets me apart from others, it’s that I’m very versatile. I act, write, direct and am a production assistant. If someone needs me to act on their project, I’m there. If someone needs me to be their assistant, I’m there! I am proud of every project I’ve worked on, but the thing I’m most proud of is that I’ve never given up. The industry can be tough, but I’ve never lost my passion. The one thing I want people to take away from me is that I’m a passionate hard worker. If I can achieve a dream, so can they.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

So one of the reasons I went to film school is because I wanted to tell stories. One of the stories I wanted to tell is my coming of age story. At such a young age, I went through a lot and I feel it’s important to let others know that that they aren’t alone. I want people to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I want to inspire others by my stories.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Oh yes, for sure! I started in the film industry when I was a teenager, and I wish I had known things more when I was a small child. I wish I could’ve found an agency or manager. It’s taken me 10 years to get where I am and I’m still learning and growing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @joining_james