Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jakari Lister.
Hi Jakari, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started my journey in filmmaking in high school during A/V class. Through A/V courses 1-3, I learned how to make short films, which skill carried me into college, Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where I got a full-ride academic scholarship to study film.
After graduating from college mid-pandemic, I found myself working in Houston, freelancing for a company, Reel Connection Media. A year passed, and I was convinced that Houston was not the place for me to develop as an artist and filmmaker, shooting corporate gigs exclusively. I applied to the City College of New York and had to defer until 2021, at which point I made the big move to New York City.
Upon completing my Master of Fine Arts in Film, I have spent my time putting my money into projects. I recently wrote and directed a comedic short titled “MY Last Date…” which follows a group of friends sharing dating stories. In addition to narrative projects, I have shot various spec commercials and often DP for my peers and friends.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road since graduating and being a working filmmaker has not been easy. It is doable, however. I can understand why so many people quit or decide to save up and worry about filmmaking later in life. The market sucks across the board.
The thing is, we see the success stories all the time. We’re always one step away from being able to change our lives with one story, one meet-up, one connection, “so why quit where you are?” I have asked myself and others. The economy is the main factor in the difficulty living in New York, but everywhere in the U.S. is hurting. The other difficulty living in NYC and being a filmmaker is all the barriers to entry.
Most of these barriers are attached to a dollar amount, whether it’s equipment for a shoot, labor, locations, etc. Those favors one acquires from networking are truly a priceless currency in the grand scheme of things. If I could tell anyone young in the industry one thing, it would be to develop people skills if you want to be a director.
Lastly, opportunities are scarce around the totality of the industry. Every job you take, everything you do, and every first impression all matter and could lead to an opportunity. Being well-versed and prepared to do what you were brought in to do is the bare minimum in a highly competitive industry and the creative space alone.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a writer and Director/DP. I recently started a production company, Paenultimus Productions, currently specializing in Narrative films, Music Videos, and Commercials. The company’s goals align with my own, where we specialize in making art the forefront of anything and everything we do. Did you get a commercial? How do we make it touch hearts and drive up traffic?
You’re an artist with a huge catalog of music and no following? Let’s develop a concept to set you apart for a music video and keep it within budget. Paenultimus is an artistic, solution-oriented, problem-solving production company. After Directing and DP’ing for other people on my level, I felt it was necessary to create something all my own as a means to share my artistic gifts with the world and allow others the opportunity to collaborate, direct, and write under one banner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jakarijyles.myportfolio.com/work
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jylesfrom97/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakari-lister-558598183/
