Today we’d like to introduce you to Jett Parker.
Hi Jett, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved to create. Since I was a kid, I have loved to run around the house with a camcorder or a cheap digital camera. I would invite my friends over to make stupid “movies” where aliens attacked us, or we did stunts by jumping on my couch. I would edit together videos of my dogs or sports teams using Microsoft Movie Maker. It didn’t matter what the subject material was; I was happy as long as I was creating.But, I never found this to be realistic. I came from a family of hard workers and parents that owned their own business. While they were always incredibly supportive of anything I wanted to do, a future in “creative” endeavors seemed more like a hobby than a career path to me. So, after graduating from Buford High School in the spring of 2017, I enrolled at Georgia State University. I began my time at Georgia State in the psychology department. I believe this would be a practical major and something I might enjoy. After all, my mom graduated from Georgia with a degree in Early-Childhood Psychology. So I went to class, and I learned about the brain and the nervous system and all the studies that shaped the field of psychology. But, it felt empty. I was learning this information, but I didn’t care. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. I felt so anxious about the future because it was here that I would decide the trajectory of my life. So I took a risk. I went to my advisor and changed my major to Film and Media, and haven’t looked back since.I would be lying if I said that the Department of Film and Media at Georgia State cemented my journey today. I did love my time there, and I did learn a lot, but it was out of the classroom that I came into my own. Shortly after changing my major, I began to look for opportunities in clubs and organizations around campus. Through my research, I stumbled upon GSTV or Georgia State Television. Tucked in a tiny office in the back of the student center, GSTV was the student-led television station at Georgia State. So, I applied and joined the “Primetime Sportz” team. Primetime was a show that covered Georgia State Athletics. They would go to games, interview coaches, talk with players, etc. I began working with Primetime as a videographer. They would send me out to volleyball, football, basketball, and everything in-between with a camera, and I would film. It was here that I found a home at Georgia State. I would come into the office every day to work on editing packages, shoot games, or just hang out with the team. Slowly, I began to rise up until I was appointed Director of Primetime Sportz in the spring of 2019. At this time, we also merged with the other news program at GSTV to form Panther Report News (PRN)PRN changed my life, and I don’t think that is an exaggeration. What we did daily at PRN was genuinely influential, meaningful, and essential work at Georgia State. As the Sports Director at PRN, I began to build a team of highly motivated and talented videographers, photographers, and journalists that covered all things Georgia State sports. In addition to that, I helped work to bring the PRN brand to the main stage at Georgia State. We marketed ourselves and built up a powerhouse of journalism, content creation, and influence like never seen at the station. It was an awesome time. Kevin Sanchez and Kara Nelson, Director and Executive Producer of PRN respectively, became some of my best friends. The three of us were a dynamic trio that brought relevant news to Georgia State students and worked to better the campus around us. We covered everything from the status of COVID-19 on campus to Georgia State’s win over Tennessee to election fraud in student voting and more. While I wasn’t a journalist, I loved watching our brand grow. From a tiny room in the student center, we became the most influential student outlet on campus. But all good things must come to an end. After nearly two years at PRN, I decided to leave the station. I loved Panther Report News. I loved the stories we told, the lives we changed, and the memories I made. However, in the summer of 2020, I knew my time was done.After PRN, I began to look for new endeavors. I was coming into the twilight of my college career, and I knew I needed something else before I graduated. So, I applied… and applied. I applied to countless internships, but all yielded nothing—all but one. In the summer of 2020, I applied for an internship at the Georgia State Athletic Department. And to my surprise, I was accepted. And yet again, I fell into something that would end up changing my life.My role at the athletic department began small. I would make a few graphics here and there for soccer or volleyball. I would sit in on some meetings but rarely had anything to say. Over time, I became more confident and made more and more content. It was through basketball that I began to shine, however. I went to every basketball game to film and take photos. I came in hours before games to create content for the video boards. I made graphics, animations, and highlight videos for social media. It was here that I began to really see a future in college athletics. I started to fall in love with what I did all over again.In the spring of 2021, I graduated from Georgia State University with a film and media degree. I was awarded Magna Cum Laude and Advanced Honors distinction from the University. However, I wasn’t ready for my time to be over with Georgia State. So after applying to the Masters of Business Administration program at GSU, I was accepted and became a Graduate Assistant at the Georgia State Athletic Department. Along with my co-workers Will Smith and Will Owens, I worked to create awesome daily content for Georgia State. We did everything from practice videos, to NASCAR races, to filming on ski slopes. It was indeed a great time at Georgia State.Today, I continue to work at Georgia State as a Creative Services Graduate Assistant with the hopes of working full-time in collegiate athletics after I graduate. My journey has been a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?The road is never easy. There are always challenges. One of the most significant issues affecting me today is my struggle with a work-life balance. It sounds cliche to say that my biggest problem is how hard I work, but a part of it is true. Sometimes I don’t know how or when to step away. When I worked at PRN, I would spend hours and hours working on the show—sacrificing eating and sleeping to get something done. I found myself looking down on those that didn’t have the “drive” to work as I did. Constantly going 110% can get a lot of work done, but it burns you out the hardest. And I burned out. I learned from this, however. I knew that you need time and patience to create great content and be your best self. You also need people and hobbies outside your work to make you the best you can be. You also need time to yourself and time to enjoy doing nothing. Not working can often create your best work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?I love everything creative. I began my journey as a videographer, but I have expanded into photography, graphic design, and even motion design. While I think I am most known for my filmmaking skills, what sets me apart from most is my ability to do most creative talents at a high level. That being said, I know I am not the best at any of the things I do. I love learning more than anything, and I think some of my best work has come when I collaborate with other people.That being said, I think that filming is the most rewarding thing to me. When you capture a ball floating through the air and landing on someone’s hand, it’s like magic. It is as if time itself slows down. Everyone else vanishes. Only you and the ball remain. Few feelings in life are better.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?I took a significant risk in what I’m doing. Arts degrees and art careers are few and far between. To say that I’ve come this far is a major success. But I’ve watched people I love work dead-end jobs and unfulfilling careers. I’ve seen people who hate more than anything to go to work. I didn’t want to end up like that. I wanted to say I went for my dreams instead of going the safe route.I also must say that I am incredibly privileged. I grew up in a household that was always supportive and one that I was able to support me. My parents allowed me to take risks, and they were always there when I failed.I can’t imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t risked it all on this. But I betted on myself, and it has paid off so far.
Contact Info:
- Email: jjettparker@
gmail.com - Website: jettparke
rmedia.myportfolio.com/welcome - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/jettparkermedia/ - Twitter: https://twitter.
com/jettparkermedia—
