Today we’d like to introduce you to Jourdan Chinn.
Hi Jourdan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Currently living in London for media production (Chinn Films) and running a music studio for younger kids to help them with their growth as an artist. Grew up with aspirations in music production, being an artist and being able to do what I love in creating music and media + letting it be my income but it wasn’t until covid (2020) when I decided to pursue a career in media and production.
At first, it was an after thought and from being raised in Stone Mountain, you had to compete for opportunities with other classmates and peers because the competition was so fierce. My parents especially didn’t see it as a viable career option that would pay the bills or be able to support myself.
So growing up, I went to school for Computer Science & Technology with specifications in home security, A+ certification & computer engineering. I studied it in college for one year and then dropped out with a 3.5 GPA due to family issues and started working at jobs at the age of 18. Till this day, I can get a job in those skills and I have worked at Comcast, Cricket Wireless & Amazon with that experience but it wasn’t my passion. With the large pay I received and the perks of working at a Fortune 500 company, I wasn’t happy. I dreaded clocking in to work everyday. Creating art was my passion so throughout my early years I had to find ways to do both; work in the technology field while using the money to support my artistic passions. It wasn’t until I was in the back seat of the car of an Uber driver one day coming home from work that told me it’s just time to take a risk and go after my artistic passions full time.
So with deep thinking and prayer, I took my two weeks from the company I was at and packed a bag of clothes in a small suitcase and lived in an office space with a friend “Jaron” who took me under his wing and taught me film and media production. At the time, I was living in my own place, paying rent and living cozy but I decided to leave it all behind to go after what brought me joy.
Looking back, it definitely made me more resilient, appreciative and grateful of blessings nowadays as I’ve gotten older and I’m so glad I jumped and decided to take that risk. It was really tough and brave but I felt at the time if I really wanted to have success in life, I had to do something dramatic. Something drastic. And to start getting used to being uncomfortable if you really want to get anywhere fulfilling.
Anything that’s worth something valuable isn’t easy to do or easy to attain.
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?
It definitely hasn’t. Success isn’t a one way lane where you make it there without ditches, potholes and people who don’t believe in you. You really have to struggle and suffer to be able to do what you love to do. I’ve delayed gratification and gave up pleasure hanging with friends, not seeing family and foregoing other opportunities to sacrifice growing Chinn Films.
A lot of people now have given me my flowers but because of how rough it was making entrepreneurship a fulfilling path with growing income, it has made me humble. And when I see other creatives who are trying to start their own business or own path as an artist or in media and production, I try and do whatever I can to help them as I have empathy for how its actually like.
Sleepless nights, being broke and even homeless sacrificing months trying to learn the craft of editing and shooting films. Being an editor and involved in media running your own business can be a very lonely job.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Chinn Films is a creative company for video marketing and content creation. It was founded in 2019 with the goal to work for ourselves and create memorial moments through creative expressions. We specialize in TV adverts, fashion campaigns, music videos & commercials worldwide from Atlanta to London & Paris.
We are known for our eye for making the audience feel like they are there in the moment. Regardless of the lens and vision the client has, our goal is to turn that into a reality to make the client happy. We are proud that we are diverse in all different forms of media including weddings, podcast & events so whatever the client needs, we can shoot/create that professionally.
The costs of the services are standard rates across the board. We don’t charge people an arm and a leg for video production as its more about a competitive rates where the client can still afford it but still not devaluing the skills and time needed to create a professional production.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
There is a book when I was working at Comcast back in my early years a customer suggested I should read. It’s called “Andy Andrews – The Seven Decisions. Understanding the Keys To Personal Success.” In this audiobook, I still listen to it and to this day, its secretly an audiobook that I listen to in my headphones that helps me understand how success works and how leaders throughout history used 7 types of decisions that made them successful in their lives and how to apply them in your life. I try to remind myself of the points of the book throughout the months and to see where I’m at currently in that path. The wisdom in that book as short as the book is; is timeless and is my secret to my success.
The other book that has helped crafted my personality and helped me to work on attributes of my self development and character is the Bible. Understanding how God sees things and the wisdom in Proverbs and James helps me to see the bigger picture to life, situations and dealing with conflicts throughout every stage of my life.
These two books keep me grounded and hopeful for the future no matter how dark and depressing life can get sometimes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chinnfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chinnfilms/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/chinnfilms
Image Credits
Tobi, Lamar, Project Zero, Kardel, Anika, Jacob Hightower, Malik, Nigel, Roland Carter, Michael Straw.
