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

Joe , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned to be a creative through classes, research and networking. There’s nothing I would change in my journey to learn for it’s a marathon not a race. In this particular field we’ll always be learning and pushing boundaries until we are no longer able to actively participate. The skills that are most essential is reading and networking. In this technology age the information is at your finger tips. The industry is heavy on the “who you know” but that serves you no justice if you don’t take the time to learn before an opportunity presents itself. The only obstacle that stands in my way or anybody else’s is TIME. You have to be patient with yourself and understand the process to success comes with time. SO BE PATIENT.

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

I am originally from Kingstree, SC. I am an Army veteran and after getting hurt on duty, I was faced with the big question what’s next? I’ve always been intrigued by acting since I was kid but never truly had the opportunity to pursue it. So I did my research and just took the step of faith starting out in San Antonio, TX. Now my gift and curse in this is I moved to Atlanta just before covid started. During quarantine I took the opportunity to learn as much as I could. I read books, listen to podcast, participate in creative challenges and so much more. There’s high’s and low’s in this business and when I reach a low I take it as an opportunity to learn more. Through a creatives journey skillsets are born out of necessity. So in my low’s when there’s no auditions coming and no projects booked to shoot, I took the advice of my idols and began to write material for myself, networked with friends and got the projects made. That has to be my proudest moment because I overcame the fear of how the material would be received and found the joy in simply creating. Now I act, write and direct which keeps me busy in my passion for the arts/storytelling.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first started in Texas I didn’t know nothing about nothing. I simply refused to let fear hold me back. One of my auditions was for a major computer brand campaign. The initial audition was just a simple free form dance, nothing professional just quirky and fun. So you know I had to bust out “The Carlton” along with some other moves. Classics always win lol and sure enough I get the callback. Now when that day came the exec’s from the brand was there and the pressure was on. My nerves was in check up until seconds before they started the music and all of a sudden it felt as if my body just locked up. Still I danced like my life depended on it but inside my head I was mortified. Right after the audition I went around the corner and hung by the food truck’s taking call after call telling everyone how my performance was straight garbage and making all the excuses I could think of. After all the complaints and a hot meal I headed home. During the drive home my agent calls me and informs me I booked it! At that moment I realized if I’m going to chase this dream I have to believe what’s gonna be for me will be for me. All I can do is my best.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think society can stop being so sensitive. Now that’s NOT a green light to be insensitive, degrading or disrespectful. I feel we gotta get back to a point where it’s ok to express ourselves, ask questions, have dialogue and simply learn to agree to disagree. So many different cultures and walks of life are yet to see the light of day through the arts because somebody’s truths is to uncomfortable for another to see. I think the biggest way to support is to get connected with your local community. Go to the local film festivals or join from the comfort of your home online. Get to know artist like me and many others who need help with donations to get our projects off the ground whether it’s financial, clothes, props etc. I know you’ll find in our community like minded people who are eager to tell the stories that want to see.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://josephjames2024.wixsite.com/my-site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joejames.actor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joseph.s.james.3/

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