Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to William Bishop. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi William, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
In filmmaking, much like other art forms, you are always in a constant state of learning. In every film you see, book you read, or conversation you have you might learn something new. I learned the basics of how to operate a camera, write a script, and direct actors by attending Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Jacksonville’s art high school. From there, I started working on film sets in New York as a production assistant and learned much more by being a part of the process at a professional level. I then started making more of my own short films in Jacksonville and started working at a local production company as an assistant editor. After working as a freelance videographer for a few years I decided to use my collected experience and start Little Room Pictures with my business partner and collaborator, Bobby Hessler.
We live in a time now where information and educational resources are so accessible, and I think that is beautiful, It truly has leveled the playing field in an industry that previously required a film school education. You can pretty much learn everything you need to know to get started making films from Youtube. The problem comes, and I fall into this trap from time to time is resistance by education. It is easy to convince yourself you are making progress if you are learning new things all the time but ultimately the best education is going to come from doing the work, making your film, failing, and trying again. I wish that I had made more films at a younger age, I think it would have sped up the learning process tremendously.
I think that the best skill you can have as a filmmaker is problem-solving abilities. From writing the script to editing the final film and everything in between you are solving lots of problems. There are rules and guidelines that help you solve some of these problems, but in my opinion, the filmmakers that stand out the most are the ones that solve those problems in new and interesting ways.
William, 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?
My name is William Bishop and I am the co-owner and founder of Little Room Pictures, a creative film production company. I got into this industry through my love of storytelling and my passion for the art of filmmaking.
At Little Room, we strive to create visually stunning and emotionally impactful films for a wide range of clients. Whether it’s a commercial for a local business or a feature-length documentary, we have the skills and expertise to bring any project to life.
One of the things that sets us apart is our dedication to authenticity and our craft. We believe in staying true to the story we are telling and in bringing a level of authenticity and depth to every project we take on.
I am most proud of the work we have done with the JCA to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront and to use the power of film to effect positive change in the world.
For potential clients, I want them to know that when they work with us, they can expect top-notch quality, collaboration, and a team that is dedicated to bringing their vision to fruition. We strive to be the best in our field and to consistently deliver excellent results for our clients. Thank you for considering us for your filmmaking needs!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As a creative business owner, one of the most rewarding aspects for me is the opportunity to tap into something deeper and universal through my work. Film has the power to transcend the everyday and to connect us to something beyond ourselves. It allows us to explore the human experience in all of its complexity and to find meaning in the world around us.
For me, the process of creating is a journey of self-discovery and a way to express the things that cannot always be put into words. It is a way to connect with others and to share a part of myself with the world.
That being said, the most rewarding aspect has to be the opportunity to collaborate and make meaningful work with other talented artists and collaborators. You can’t really make a film by yourself and it’s the collective efforts of all involved that transform the work into something truly unique.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
I met my business partner, Bobby Hessler, while I was working at another local production company. At the time, I was working in-house full-time and Bobby was interning at the production company and working freelance. We quickly discovered that we had a shared passion for filmmaking and a similar vision for the kind of work we wanted to create.
We stayed friends after his internship ended and I eventually left the production company and started working freelance also. We both had issues with the somewhat inconsistent nature of freelance work and decided to start our own production company. We saw an opportunity to bring our unique perspectives and skills to the table and to create something truly special together.
Starting our own company was a bit of a risk, but it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. We have been able to work on projects that are meaningful to us and to build a team of talented and dedicated individuals who share our vision.
I am so grateful to have found a business partner who shares my passion for filmmaking and who is as committed as I am to creating high-quality work. Working together has been a wonderful journey and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our company.
Contact Info:
- Website: littleroom-pictures.com
- Instagram: @williamgbishop @littleroompictures
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WilliamGBishop https://www.youtube.com/@LittleRoomPictures