We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Carroll a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Joe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
The long story short of it is.. sometimes.
I say sometimes because, like almost every other artist, I’m indecisive when it comes to giving a yes or no answer. Sure, I can go out and direct a movie. Sure, I can knock out a 96-page screenplay in a weekend. When it comes to a simple A or B? Forget it.
I’ve always known that I was meant to be in the world of film and television. I just didn’t know how I was going to get there. And my journey started later than others who share theirs. Being from the south, we didn’t have “Hollywood.” When I first began my career as a production assistant, it was right when the 2008 strike started. I didn’t even know about unions back then. What I did know is that I got a phone call one day that a reality show needed a production assistant for a few weeks, and somehow my name came across their desk. I was all about it! Had no idea what I was doing, but you better believe I faked it until I made it.
That was 16 years ago. I’ve been full-time in film and television 10 of those 16 years.
They say the good outweighs the bad. I’ll be honest with you… I’m not going to say there’s more bad than good but the highs are definitely fewer and farther than the lows.
No matter what your position is in the industry, it’s often seen as a grueling and thankless job. However, every show is unique. You never have the same day twice. And there are those few moments that are absolutely exhilarating; Blowing up a house. A car chase. Fight scenes. Those are the moments where you will see the crew and cast fully engaged in the moment as they watch things unfold. The higher the risk, the more adrenaline that’s pumping in your veins — those are the moments that remind us of why we took the industry on.
So, let me finally answer your question…
One thing about me? I always have a backup plan. However, at the moment, I don’t have one if my career takes a dive. When people ask “what if it doesn’t work out” I respond: “It will. It HAS to. Because I don’t have another choice. Film and television are all I know.”
Now, that’s not true, necessarily. However, at this point in my life, film and television are the fields I’ve worked in most of my adult life Do I love meeting other creators? Sharing ideas and experiences with strangers that could even become an unlikely friend? Of course! Do I get an adrenaline rush from working with creatives that have surpassed my career? You can bet your bottom dollar. It’s not about “am I happy with being creative” — but it’s about the happy moments I collect along the way.
At the end of the day — are any of us really happy? Let’s let THAT sink in for a minute…
Joe, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m one of those people that does too much. Currently, I label myself as a writer/director/producer. To date, I’ve directed two feature films, a handful of short films, and more than a few commercials, music videos, etc.
I’ve both single-handedly and co-written multiple movies, television pilots, novels, and comic books. I also project managed for other up-and-coming authors, helping them achieve a final product as they go to distribution and marketing. I story consult both authors and screenwriters. I’m also a creative director for B. Hope Marketing and PR, based in the southeast.
I do way too much.
I first got into entertainment as a kid, when I did stage Productions in school and later went on to do community theater after graduating high school. In Tennessee, there wasn’t a big film and television scene back then, but I was often chosen to work as a background actor when big productions came into town. However, one day I realized that I needed to network outside of my circle if I ever wanted to move up, so I began to hang out and network with the crew, which eventually landed me my first production job as an assistant on a reality television show. From there, I went on to work based out of my hometown of Nashville, TN, eventually working my way up to casting and associate producing. By the time I left Nashville in 2014, I had started my own production company, servicing artists and small businesses with music videos and commercials, as well as creating sizzle reels for reality pilots.
The one thing that I will always say to my team is: “What about the audience?” That’s the one thing I want everyone, client or co-creative, to think about when working with me. And yes, while I have self-gratifying moments, at the end of the day, we are servicing a story. I pride myself on working with other creatives to make sure that they are not only reaching their full potential with their goals but make sure they are reaching their intended audiences.
Another thing about me? I love to network. I think it’s so important in whatever field you’re working in. It’s also something I try to instill in those around me. My friends became my friends because, at one point in time, I was networking with or around them. I came to Los Angeles knowing almost no one, so the few that I have in my close friend group are people that I once worked with or came across while networking. I think many people underestimate the lifelong relationships that can come from networking, especially when your intentions are pure.
I’m proud of every project I’ve ever worked on to date. From cheesy short films to low-budget music videos. Every project was a stepping stone to where I am today. I promised myself that anything I work on must be better than the last. That’s the only way we can ever move forward in life; taking what we’ve learned from our past and applying it to our future. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to make mistakes, and sometimes we do have to repeat a certain job or a certain position that we don’t want to, but at least in that respect, you’re setting up immunity for yourself and you’re more prepared for what’s to come.
I thrive on entertaining audiences with multi-layered stories, fast-paced dramas with high stakes, and believable, relatable characters. I believe that the reality we are currently living in is not too far-fetched from the fiction that we view on television, so one might as well take that and build upon it.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
It took me a minute to really decide how I wanted to answer this question. It all came down to one word: Survival.
While I do enjoy actively creating, and navigating the business side of the industry, what I’ve come to realize is that the further I have made it into my career — it’s not only my livelihood that is dependent on my success, but the livelihood of my family and others around me.
Shit got pretty real this past year, with two unions going on strike, and the looming threats of the other unions that eventually reached their tentative agreements. Many people have lost their jobs, homes, and some even lost their families. Resilience is more than just a descriptor. To be resilient is an action. You have to be able to plan, which is always difficult when you don’t foresee yourself being out of work anywhere between six months to a year and a half.
It’s difficult to keep your instincts sharp when you’re blindsided with the need to do so. A lot of people jump into this industry not expecting the gaps of time between one job to the next. I personally believe a person would benefit from experiencing a hardship or two before getting into the industry so they can be a bit more prepared for the downside of it all. I know that sounds crazy, but… if you’ve never had to deal with it before… You can guess the rest.
While I do enjoy entertaining audiences and creating collaboratively with peers, at the end of the day, I have a mortgage to pay and a family to take care of. I’ve always told friends and family: “I’m going to do everything I can, WHILE I CAN… before I HAVE to.” For the first few years, it was fun and games. I could miss a few weeks of work and still survive. Times got tough, no doubt. But now, I HAVE to!
I think the even more difficult part is surviving while still enjoying what you do. Not looking at it as a job, but a chosen career path. That is a goal that is not easily attainable.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As I began my career in film and television, I found myself sending out cold emails, and making cold calls to people in the industry that I admired, or just happened to see their names in the credits, and wanted to reach out to them to network.
Now, as I’m in year, 16 of my career, I receive emails from time to time from up-and-coming writers and filmmakers, reaching out to me for advice and guidance. You can imagine how one would feel as they receive these emails, because, of course, it reminds me of me as I was up-and-coming, feeling nervous about reaching out to people, not knowing how they were going to respond. Or if they would respond at all! Putting on a brave face, making every attempt to sound as professional as possible while sweating bullets and shitting bricks.
I think the most rewarding part is when I’m able to take the time to give to one of those up-and-comers that I see with major potential and be able to pour into them the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years and help them get started on their own journeys. That, and also helping them learn from MY mistakes so they won’t make those same mistakes along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JoeCarrollOnline.com
- Instagram: @iamJoeCarroll
- Facebook: joeCarrollMedia
- Twitter: @JoeRunsThis
Image Credits
Nora Canfield, MsDig Photography
Nicolette Carney, NicciShoots
Jose Feng, @CHINITOVENEZOLANO