Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Huckaby.
Andrew, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started in the film industry as an actor. First, extra-extra work, and slowly but gratefully rising to more significant roles, featured extra, supporting, etc. Onset of a Major Motion Picture “Oz the Great and Powerful,” I noticed one individual running around set “calling the shots.” This individual was well respected; Everyone listened and hung on every word they spoke. This was the “Assistant Director” (AD). I knew at that moment, that is what I wanted to do.
I enrolled in film school at AIU shortly after and began my studies in digital film and media production. It was there I met my long time friend, brother, and business partner: Award-winning Writer and Director, Vashmere Valentine. We first worked together on a local 48 Hour Film Festival. He, as writer and me, as AD. This is where the recognition of my ability to Produce and AD was realized. As most individuals who have ever participated in a 48 Hour Film Festival know, there are only certain logistics one is able to secure for filming: crew, location, and equipment. Everything else, such as knowledge of the genre, necessary props, or dialogue, and the script will be told to you at the “kick-off” of the festival.
Armed with my crew, and the desire to produce the best possible production, I was off to secure a location. As fate would have it, I was able to secure a multi-million dollar mansion and be granted full access to the location for the entire duration needed to successfully complete the production. As the festival started, we ran into some administration/staffing problems and were quickly running out of time. It was at this moment, our writer, Vashmere Valentine displayed he was far more than just a writer. He was an incredible visionary director.
From this day forward, I was Vashmere’s Producer, and 1st AD on every project he revealed to the world. Including 50-time award-winning short-film The Wish and the Wisp. Now, as most independent filmmakers experience themselves, the industry can be very tough both physically and financially. It is very demanding and often very little financial return as you are pushing your own narratives, on little to no-budget productions. For me, life took over, and I found myself a brand new father and Head of Household. I was no longer the single bachelor with a dog working in the film industry. I was now a family man.
I made my peace with my time in the industry, and it slowly became a pleasant, bittersweet memory. Even watching films was bitter-sweet because it reminded me of what could have been. I love film and consider it a large part of my life. I went on to focus on providing a stable life and home for my boys. I was running the family business and taking over ownership of our music store. Life was… ordinary, but stable. By this time, it had been about three years since I worked in the film industry and communicated regularly with Vashmere. Until one November day in 2019… Vashmere calls me and says “Hey brother, I hope you’re doing well, listen I know you’re living your life and are successful, but I need an AD.”
Fast-forward to today, June of 2020, I am proud Producer and nominated CEO of “Good Screenplays.” I have a corporate background in sales, business management, and business-to-business relations. This experience mixed with my film industry experience served me well in coming on board in this officer role.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
NO, not at all. Some of the struggles included: Finances, time, finding the right team, family, life, and morality.
Please tell us about Good Screenplays.
Good Screenplays is a boutique-style production house based in Atlanta, Georgia, which has an in-house award-winning creative, strategic global partners and strong production teams. Allowing Good Screenplays to behave like a Major studio while maintaining a small footprint. This is a key in the new COVID 19 era we are living in. Delivering efficient and effective award-winning projects to the Global Film/OTT/TV market serving popular genres, including Sci-Fi, Action, Horror, Comedy, and Animation. We work collaboratively using our diverse cultural and professional backgrounds to bring audiences together across the globe.
Through trials and tribulations, and an AMAZING and TALENTED group of individuals, we have been able to position ourselves and Good Screenplays as the HUB of an international syndicate. Focusing on #Authenticity, #Diversity, #Synergy, and #Unity. Good Screenplays is changing the way Producers, Agents, and Studios find… good screenplays.
What do you do?
I serve as President and CEO of Good Screenplays. I oversee the day to day operations of the business as well as current and future slates for film and television production. This includes assessing projects, building teams, setting targets, strategic planning, securing financing, and finding true market value within every project – ensuring the successful execution of a plan to its conclusion.
What are you most proud of as a company?
My Team. Good Screenplays is made up of some CORE individuals and leaders in BOTH creative and business.
Andrew Huckaby – President/CEO
Vashmere Valentine – Founder/CCO (Chief Creative Officer)
Jeremy Nightingale – Vice President/COO
Jamie Bendola – VP Content Development
Wanyang Zhou (Robert Zhou) – Senior VP of Investor Relations
Each of these individuals bring a unique and unmatched skill set to the table that has brought Good Screenplays to where it is today. Our unique cultural backgrounds, both international and domestic, diverse political, personal, spiritual beliefs, and the ability to come together and unite to work as ONE, is what makes us a force to be reckoned with.
What sets you apart from others?
We are the HUB for an international Syndicate. Partnered with companies and organizations around the globe, we use our network and team to bring opportunity and business/creative affairs together in the spirit of. Our core values. #Diveristy, #Authenticity, #Synergy, #Unity.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success defined by me would be doing what you love and keep what matters most to you in order. A healthy work-life balance. Combined success for all individuals involved. Not just executives but employees, consultants, partners, and their families. The age-old saying, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. That is true to some extent. However, the satisfaction of a hard day’s work and the realization it does not consume you and take you away from everything else that matters is what it is all about. For me, that is family. Having a supportive partner and family that knows and understands what you do, but also knows you are there for them.
I live by the art of “living in the moment.” I say “art” because that is exactly what it is. You must remain in the moment for what you are doing. If that is work, I am focused and committed. If it is family time, I do the same. Healthy work-life balance is key to running an organization on a global scale.
Especially in these unprecedented times and our recent pandemic-style living situation. Never in life, have we experienced such a situation where 24/7 lock-down/quarantine was a government-enforced action. On a normal basis, raising a young family consists of day-care, elementary school drop-off, and going to the office. Now it consists of homeschool, and at home day-care. This has truly been an experience that has shown me and tested me personally and professionally.
My wife is the company’s paralegal, and currently pursuing her law degree and establishing a practice of her own. Success is our ability to communicate, schedule, organize and compromise. Without her, I would not be where I am today. She still remains dedicated, successful, and supportive to the Good Screenplays initiative and our family’s success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1550 Agape Way
Decatur, GA 30035 - Website: www.goodscreenplays.com
- Email: info@goodscreenplays.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodscreenplays/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodScreenplays/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoodScreenplays
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?companies=co0677422
Image Credit:
Vashmere Valentine, Blair Winders, Headkrack, Sydney Winn
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