Today we’d like to introduce you to Chauncey Jackson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chauncey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
To be honest, being a filmmaker was never the plan for my life. Back in 1999, my mother caught me sleeping in church and told me that I was going to serve in the media department. So, every Sunday from the age of 14 to 18 years old, I served in the World Changers media department and I hated every minute of it. While serving, I had to run videotapes to the book store, learn to grip, and operate huge expensive cameras that I didn’t want to break. During that time while in high school, I was apart of the wrestling team and in the marching band. At this time, I knew I had two options as a career when I graduated; music or wrestling. However, when I graduated high school, I kinda lost interest in both and I didn’t know what I really wanted to do with my life. I was working with my mom one day and I met one of her clients who was a member of World Changers. He asked me if I wanted to work for CNN. I looked at him like he was crazy because I just graduated high school and didn’t have the experience or skills necessary to work there. He said to not worry about that and to give him my resume. Shockingly, I was able to get an interview with CNN a few months later and they hired me on the spot. The manager who interviewed me said that the reason they hired me was because I had so much experience than most people had before graduating college. Funny isn’t it? I say that because the experience of serving in my church, which I despised at the time, was the exact skills necessary for me to be hired at 19 years old. My mother knew what she was doing but it was based on obedience. I guess my mom catching me sleeping in the church worked out in the developed of my film journey. While working at CNN, I learned how to edit television clips and volunteered in different departments. I was in college at the time which was a huge benefit to my film career because I learned about film history and took some creative writing classes. I even took an acting class which was fun but I’ll leave acting to the professionals. I had the opportunity to get my first taste of filmmaking when I was asked to be a PA for an indie film through a mutual friend. In 2011, some employees, including myself, were laid off from CNN. It sucked when it happened but I was graduating from college so I was optimistic about the future.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road is never easy and I think it shouldn’t be easy. I believe that 2013 was one of the worse years I’ve ever experienced, but it was a blessing in disguise. I lost my job and my car within 2 months. Then I had to move back home with my mom which was a huge blow to my ego. I had to rely on public transportation which we all know is an inconvenience. Uber and Lyft weren’t around during that time so the struggle was very real. However, the only thing I had was my Canon Rebel T3i and my iMac computer. I was actually making payments on the iMac through Rent-A-Center. I had to pay $50 a week and I didn’t want them to reprocess it because I already lost my job and my car. In order to keep the computer, I had to go out and really grind. Getting your name out there was difficult in Atlanta but being a film editor had its benefits. I used to go on Craigslist a lot to find editing jobs to make extra cash and to pay for my computer and to help my mother with bills. While on Craigslist, I created ads for people looking to hire an editor. Everyone needs help and I needed the helped of a few people that I’d like to recognize. My good friend, Natalie Roseboro, really helped me a lot in the beginning and even now. I can say that she has taught me how to be a better film editor and producer. She taught me to never sell my work short and to never be afraid of hearing the word “no.” I was able to meet one of my friends turned business partner KL Allen who I met on Craigslist. I think KL Allen opened my eyes to writing my own stories. I don’t know how he comes up with these ideas for his film projects but it’s not just creative but impactful. You can never stop learning when you’re working with KL Allen. Last but not least, I met Ali Froid who really was and is a huge help to being an actual filmmaker. We used to produce demo reels together for up and coming actors in Atlanta. Working on those demo reels taught me how to produce, direct, and cast talent for each demo reel scene. Working with Ali opened me up to meeting and working with some very talented actors that I consider friends. I can say that Ali Froid is the most caring generous person I’ve met and I’m glad to call her my friend. These three individuals really were apart of my development and never saw me as just a video editor.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
One Chaunce Media Group (OCMG) was created by myself and my older sister, Delca Jackson. As two siblings from Antigua and Barbuda, we started this film and production company because we wanted to have something that we called our own. My sister and I are very close probably because we’re 11 months and three weeks apart. OCMG specializes in films, documentaries, web series, interviews, demo reels, and special events. What sets us apart from other production companies is that we’re a brother-sister team and most people like to see siblings and or family members work together. Another thing, that sets us apart is our slogan which is “You only have One Chaunce in life.” I get some laughs from that which is a cool ice breaker when meeting different people. As I mentioned earlier that 2013 was my worse year, well, I believe that 2015 was a better year moving forward. In 2015, we received our first nomination for editing a web show at the Georgia Entertainment Gala. Even though we didn’t win, the nomination really got our names out there. That year, we shot more demo reels, met more actors, and received a second nomination for “Best TV Pilot” for Perfectville (written, produced, and directed by KL Allen) at the 2015 Paragon Film Festival in West Hollywood, California. Going to LA for the first time was a surreal and memorable experience as a filmmaker. I knew that things were working out for not just my favor but for OCMG. We currently have a 9 episode web series on YouTube called “Have A Nice Day.” That web series took us a year and a half to finished but as a leader, I needed to make sure that it was put together correctly. The actors involved really dedicated their time to help us produce this web series with Tamika Porter. The actors did an amazing job by the way. That web series got us noticed because we were nominated again at the 2018 Content Creators Awards and feature on a variety of blogs and websites.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m currently producing my own podcast called “One More Chaunce” which is on Soundcloud and Apple Podcast. I’m 4 episodes in and I’m still learning how to host a podcast. Also, I partnered with some talented guys named Tim Tillman and Evan Emerson to shoot a TV pilot that is currently in post production. It’s so much easier to partner with like minded individuals who have the same passion and drive as you. Evan, Tillman, and I have many plans but we can’t say too much. All I can say is that we’re enjoying the process and continue to work as a strong unit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/onechaunceproductions
- Email: hello@onechaunce.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaunccee
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