We recently connected with PJ Riley and have shared our conversation below.
PJ, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I have worked on is a Documentary called Mission Fish: A Deep Dive into Healing. The story embarks on a profound journey alongside, a good friend on mine Brian Barber, a Retired Marine veteran navigating life after service. I had the privilege to witness his inspiration in creating Mission FISH—a nonprofit 501C aimed at guiding veterans towards mental healing through the medium of fishing. It is meaningful to me because it provided a safe and nurturing space for participants to not only form a community, but it showed me nature’s curative embrace on self healing from Mental Health Illness. In the documentary we shared moments, veterans find solace in each other’s company and open up about their experiences. As a person who suffers from Mental Health Illness, I hope that this documentary empowers other to step outside the box, and search for ways to self heal themselves instead of resorting to prescription medication.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is P-arron (PJ) Riley Sr. CEO of Cal King Entertainment. I am an L.A. bases Producer and Audio Engineer that runs a Television and Film Production specializing in Audio Production. I started off working in the Radio Industry back in 2007, and developed a passion for creating content for the masses. after my time in the Radio Industry, I decided to go back to school, where I received my associates degree in Film/ Television and Radio at Moorpark College, located in Moorpark California. It was here that I develop a deep love for Producing and Audio. After Moorpark, I begin to work with local L.A. based musicians, creating content and learning the ends and outs of both the Music and Movie industry. I begin to develop skills at delivering high quality production sound, as well as video content throughout my 10 years of experience. I have worked with all the top tier audio, and vidoe recording equipment the industry has to offer.
Recording Sound, it isn’t just a “Job” to me, it’s my passion. With every new client I aim to bring a new level of quality & professionalism. I’ve worked extensively in most areas of Audio Engineering ranging from Dialogue Recording to Sound Designing, and I bring a comprehensive knowledge to every production I work on. This has taken me everywhere from going on location as a sound recordist for film to producing music in a personal recording studio, and sound designing & mixing video projects. Over the years I have even been lucky enough to record a few Celebrities! Whether working on a Narrative Film, Commercial, or with a Musician, it’s ultimately about capturing a performance and transporting the listener to another time & place.
Having more than 7 years of sound engineering experience, I ensure the job gets done right the first time; when you hire me you can expect quality through expertise. Coupled with my extensive knowledge base and the equipment to handle projects of any scale.
When I’m not on set working, I love to cook delicious food, play with my three cats (Bentley and The Thunder Cats Panthro and Liono), spend time with my family traveling, sip some espresso, or learn new things!
Have you ever had to pivot?
Having to adjust to life or your career can be difficult for some, but for me it was a life changing experience. Working as a freelance creative it is difficult to manage your life and passion, when you have a family. During my 10 years working as a producer and audio engineer, I worked full-time as a paralegal for 2 collection offices in L.A. Both jobs did not give me a comforting feeling that they were a solid career choice, and due to the pressure of meeting quotas each month, I developed mental health problems that lead into alcohol and prescription medication addiction. When Covid-19 shut down society 2020, an opportunity for me to take my life back was presented. I was fired from my job at the time, and took it upon myself to jump back into the Motion Picture Industry. I slowly started building a network of industry professionals, and begin to work on a variety of films.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
When it comes to a particular goal in my creative journey, I would say it would have to be leaving a profitable business for my kids, when I leave this earth. I don’t wish to have riches and fame like others, I strive for financial independence and a continued bond with those that are close to me. I teach my children that when he time comes for them to control their own lives, they should strive to have a career not a job. A job to me means Just Over Broke and those that have jobs are miserable in life. I look at my doctor when he arrives to discuss my health, he enters the room with such pride and happiness to discuss my health. By having a career, you are less likely to be stressed out, and as a self employed freelancer, I have the freedom to control my own path.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calkingempireinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000281046053