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

Hi Jay, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

There are uncountable factors that can get in the way of creativity. Not to mention, every individual’s creative path is different. Speaking strictly about my own experience, earning a full-time living has been accomplished by utilizing the very thing that defines me, “creativity”. It’s the “out of the box” thinking that has shown me how to get creative with time management and inspired me to learn new creative skills that can aid my own projects and, furthermore, provide value to others.

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

Entry into filmmaking as a career began before I knew it was happening. As a kid, I was utilizing the resources I had with cameras, props, action figures and friends to emulate what I saw on the silver screen.

I was fascinated by every aspect of the medium and was determined to learn how it all intertwines.

In my early twenties, when I’d learned that life consists of a lot of working, it made logical sense to me that I best do something I really care about and understand, day in & day out.

My versatility in the filmmaking arena granted the ability to become a strong communicator. As a director, it is my duty to translate, inform, or make use of department oriented language so that everyone can do their jobs in sync with one another and trust that I understand what I am asking of them.

The communication element applies to my clients and anyone who isn’t as versed in all factions of the process. I create with confidence, clarity, and precision while knowing my clients and team understand exactly what we are doing and why.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The operation that is filmmaking asks of multiple people and minds to come together and create something that didn’t (or wouldn’t) exist without the individuals involved.

Every project is an opportunity to bring something into this life that fundamentally would not exist the way it does without your teammates.

The process of getting to the result is the rewarding part. The comradery and execution of the blue print is loaded with growth, challenge, problem solving, and indirectly learning a lot about people. Most importantly, yourself.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

People don’t seem to value the labor that goes into creating art as they do, per say, building a house or fixing a vehicle. And art gets perceived at face value versus process, more often than not.

I think it’s important we ask those who do not do what we do to listen and hear what it takes to logically bring something new into this world. We need to bring to the forefront that the monetary value in art is linked to professionalism, specific skills, and time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jay-ness.com
• Instagram: @jay_ness
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jayness