Today we’d like to introduce you to James Gentry
Hi James, 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 came here by way of Atlanta, by way of my hometown, Greensboro North Carolina. Hired as a Cinematographer to help film an Independent Movie for BACKA Media here in Houston. I decided to stay and tap into the culture of the city. Not only a Cinematographer, I’m also an actor, musician, content creator and TV Show producer as well. My mission as a content creator has always been to help provide the community with a platform to help promote positive and constructive experiences, dialogue and discussions through art and media.
Alright, 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?
The main challenge is staying focused on personal goals in a society full of distractions. Balancing time and energy into what you want to do and want needs to be done. Investing into the business and craft not knowing if you’ll get a return. Learning from mistakes but not letting those mistakes deter you. Overcoming overthinking and Self doubt.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My experience as a musician, Independent film maker and content creator grew organically. A grew up singing in chorus class and vocal ensemble in middle school and high school, but I was mostly focused on sports and very athletic. In college, me and a fellow member of the baseball team started a rap duo and won the school talent show and I fell in love with the feeling of the crowd cheering. It was a natural high. I quit school to become an artist/entertainer. Shortly after I ran into my biggest mentor who taught me the essence of Hip Hop culture. How and why it was created and what it means to be a “real emcee”. He also taught me how to make beats, the art of sampling music. And introduced me to an avenue of underground hip hop artist and culture that I had never known about.
The Videographer side came from not having money to pay someone to shoot my music videos. So I acquired a camera and started learning how to film my own. I eventually got good enough that other artist would ask for me to film their music videos.
Also, the idea of shooting and filming movies evolved from just chilling with the homies, deciding we wanted to do “skits”, remakes of the favorite parts of our favorite “hood” movies that we watched growing up. Us as the stars. As we kept making more skits I learned how to produce and edit them better.
I’m mostly proud of the fact that everything I’ve pursued and accomplished has been genuine. My purpose and intentions have always remained pure. I do what I do because I love to do it. I don’t exploit the culture. It’s not a get rich quick or clout chasing scheme. More now than ever the “fake it till you make it” mind set resides within the music/entertainment industry. People want to give off the perception of being talented and successful but haven’t put in the work and investment. The industry has become fake, fraudulent and toxic. But I’ve stayed true to my core values and beliefs about the essence of the culture and why it was created.
How do you define success?
I define Success as repeat business from a client. Claps, cheers and comments from the audience after a performance. Views, listens and comments on social media platforms. Also, being able to grow, invest and evolve as an individual, artist and business. Being able to reflect on the humble beginnings and see how far I’ve developed as an artist and content creator.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jg_gso
- Facebook: JamesGentryMusic
- Youtube: JamesGentryGso
- Soundcloud: JG_gso
