Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Osby, Jr.
Christopher, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Where I am today almost feels like a dream, and it’s only the beginning. If somebody told me as a young child that I would be pursuing a career in cinema, I would have thought that was a lie. I didn’t even know what I wanted to do with my life for a while. However, growing up I always had an interest in taking pictures and making videos with my family and friends. I never would have thought that years later, I would be making a career doing what I enjoy the most.
Growing up was not too complicated for the most part. My parents always made sure that my brother and I always had what we needed, and were also able to provide us with extras that most kids did not get the chance to have or experience. However, in 2011, my father died from a heart attack and it pushed me into a hard depression for a few years until I found my love for cinematography and photography. I would consider it self therapy.
My career officially started when I decided to move to Houston, Texas in 2014 after an unsuccessful year at Hardin-Simmons University where I studied criminal justice. After moving to Houston, I decided to go to the Art Institute of Houston, which was actually my first college of choice, to study audio production until I finally recognized my true passion for filmmaking. It hit me like a rock after my fundamentals class where I quickly took interest in the art. It was the first time where I felt like I found what I was meant to do in life.
While attending The Art Institute, I came to feel like I belonged. Everybody I met was able to express themselves through their art. In 2015, I started working on my first film sets with fellow classmates, where I met lots of great friends and connections. Some of which I declare as a family today. Since then, I have been blessed to work with and around celebrities, work on weddings, Houston PSA’s, make music videos, films, etc. I have never looked back since and I am proud to have this be my start of a long and wonderful journey.
I would like to also share that one of my projects that I did the cinematography for is planned to be released this summer. It is my senior film project titled “Wistful Thoughts.” It is a music video with a message. Be on the lookout for that. It stars my younger brother, Xavier Osby, A.K.A. ‘OZ,’ directed by my good friend, Ross Barber, and produced by Sarita Fruge and Christopher Bonds.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say that my road was smooth. Without obstacles and challenges, we can’t grow as people. I’ve dealt with great moments and hardships. However, most of my obstacles were mental. There were times that I felt like quitting and finding another career path, but I eventually chose not to give up.
For a long time, I also struggled with comparing myself to others around me. I felt like if I wasn’t where I saw others were at or further, I was trash. I couldn’t accept the fact that everybody advances at their own pace and you never know what it took for somebody to get to where they are.
One of my most important lessons was learning to believe in myself and surround myself with like-minded individuals who have similar goals. I used to look for acceptance and try to fit it. Because of that, I could never fulfill what I truly wanted to do.
Overcoming these challenges was a major step in finally being happy with my life for the first time in a long time.
Oz-Bee Films – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is currently slowly building. I am currently a freelance filmmaker specializing in cinematography, photography, editing, and drone operation. My company was originally started to create high-quality film and video projects at a more affordable rate than the larger known production companies.
I came up with the name Oz-Bee Films because I was called “Oz,” “Wizard of Oz,” and sometimes just by my last name, Osby, growing up. The spelling is for creative purposes. My company also does not have a physical location at the moment, but you can find it online through my website and my social media.
People know me mostly for my cinematography and drone operating. Having drone operation as a skill set, it opens up greater opportunities and it allows me to add another element to any photography or video project.
I’d say the most special part about me and my brand is that I like to get to know the client and build a relationship versus just doing the project. It produces a better project in the end when you learn what they do like and what they don’t like. Building a relationship is a very important part of not only business, but life as well.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far would have to be receiving the “Best in Show” Award for my senior portfolio presentation in March 2019. Every quarter, whenever students are in their final quarter, they have to create a presentation of their best work.
During my presentation, I was nervous that our panelists would not think I had adequate work. It was the complete opposite. I got up there, I introduced myself, showed the different cameras that I had growing up and then showed my reel.
The reaction from my fellow peers, the director that was helping judge our presentations and my professor was one of amazement and surprise. I was even told by the director that was judging our presentations that my work was better than some of the cinematographers that she went to school with.
This special moment helped raise my self-confidence and increase my drive to want to further master my craft. A week later, during the “Best in Show” Award Ceremony, I was awarded “Best in Show” for Digital Film & Video Production on the comment by our judging director that she would consider hiring me that day.
Although people may believe in my work, none of it could happen without a great team behind me. No great films were made by one person and I love working with a team of talented artists!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ozbeefilms.com
- Phone: 325-201-7417
- Email: christopher@ozbeefilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozbeefilms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ozbeefilms/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ozbeefilms
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR6LC245VAfBRtKqTBGFPtw
Image Credit:
Christopher Osby, Jr and Brittany Gaines
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