Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Waymon.
Hi Chris, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I specializes in artist, business, and production management. My experience as an artist, businessman, & production manager has given me the knowledge I needs to help his clients achieve their dreams. I founded Gate City Management in 2012, Gate City was Atlanta’s nickname in the 1800’s. Growing up in Atlanta shaped my love for the entertainment business. Stemming new and innovative ways to succeed, I booked my clients as brand ambassadors, lead and background roles for television, and films. Giving attention and the expertise that an artist needs to build a solid foundation for their career. I’ve help implements other aspects of artist development, which will maintain, expand, and enrich the artist’s career. I have worked with many talented artists in the music industry such as Jermaine Dupri’s So Def, developing Anthony Hamilton, Bone Crusher, and Young Bloodz, being a background dance for Nivea and booking performers like Lyfe Jennings, J.Holiday and many more.
By exploring new opportunities, helped paved my way into the movie and television production arena. I have promoted, produced, and executed many live events. Specializing in production of fashion shows, award shows, concerts, and festivals. I have managed productions for companies like Lifetime, Belk, Urban Vs Couture Fashion Shows, and Sweet Auburn Music Festival (SAMF). My experience in production began to grow and began to shift directions. I organized a major production like SAMF, that entertains over 100k people. My IMDb production credits currently host the following, Wistful, Time Captured, and Rainbow Bridge, The Story of Peter and Emily. For 2017, I help organize private movie premieres for movies such as “It”, “Girls Trip”, Pirates of Caribbean, Dead Man Don’t Say No Tell”, “Wonder Woman”, just to name a few. Currently Gate City Management is moving slowly due to COVID.. So, I recently started my second business CLW Photography and Videography. For the past six months I’ve been doing head shots, family and individual portraits along with birthday parties, weddings and private events. I honestly have enjoyed being behind the camera as a Photography and Videography. I get a chance to be creative with my clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road of Gate City Management wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Obtaining new clients was never a problem but obtaining clients that could afford my services was. Clients would want to hire me but either didn’t have money to pay me or if my services was $500 they only had $150. I remember one situation where I was trying to secure a million dollars for a film. I found someone to agree to invest $500k. So the client signed a “Letter of Intent” the next step was to get the lawyers involved. But the client went ghost I emailed, called, social media everything I could but the client wouldn’t respond which was very frustrating. Due to COVID Gate City took a major hit because of social distance I wasn’t able to do any productions. So, I had to reinvent myself and fast. I launched CLW Photography and Videography in September 2020. That was probably the best thing I could have ever done. I was getting discouraged and felt like giving up on everything but CLW changed my life. I was in a bad place from lack of business. I started CLW to make me a better film producer and truly get behind and under the camera equipment. Since launching I’ve been booked almost every weekend for birthday parties, private events, weddings and more. Starting a new business help me understand what I was doing wrong for my first business. Now both businesses are doing really well. You can’t have a success story if you don’t go through a struggle.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Gate City Management/CLW Photography and Videography?
When I started Gate City Management it was to the void I had in my life since I was in high school. My junior year I was able to negotiate a record deal for my friends and I with Outcast but my parents wouldn’t let me sign the contract. So my dreams of being an artist was gone just like that. So started Gate City Management to help artists, actors, etc. develop their skills to be a successful entertainer. Many entertainers don’t know the business part of the entertainment industry, so that’s where we come in. Helping with contracts, booking, tech rides, epk, marketing, and how to target large business for new opportunities. Also we do business management. When I started my business I didn’t have anything, I couldn’t afford anyone to do my website, marketing materials, anything. So, I had to learn quick how to build my business from nothing. Now I do business management and consulting for other business to help them grow. Last is production management, I don’t like to say events because events are considered social gatherings. I put on shows as a production manager. What separate Gate City Management from other production companies is we plan for every detail. We take time to learn what our clients need to better plan. Most of our productions take 9-12 months to plan out. We send three months to raise money from sponsors three months on marketing and PR and three months on put the show together from scheduling, booking talent, securing locations whatever is needed to have a successful show. Another part of production is film and tv. I offer services such pitch decks, development package that includes budget breakdown, script breakdown, character Wishlist, location just to name a few things.
Also I’m as a producer or consulting producer for upcoming production. Being an entrepreneur I realize that you have to have multiple streams of income. So my second business CLW Photography and Videography I specialize in portraits for individuals and families, and videography services. Being a film producer has helped me to better understand the camera, and angles. What make my business stand out is my creative mind and ideas. Each client will experience new ideas that try to push the limits base off what the client wants. One service I offer is for couples that are engaged. It’s called “365” where I follow the bride & groom around from the day they get engaged to the day they get married. I take photos and video of the dress fitting, venue scouting, dress fitting, and cake tasting, anything pertaining to planning the wedding for a whole year.
What’s next?
Right now my future plans is to grow both business and take them to another level. For Gate City Management I’m currently working on and developing four to five movies with a few major names attached to it. I’m also looking to do a few major productions soon as this pandemic is over and done. With CLW Photography and Videography I’m looking to do more commercials for different types of business and more weddings. I enjoy being creative with my videos, so I’m looking forward to all my new clients and what they have to bring.
Pricing:
- Film Development Package $1500 (payment plan available)
- Film Pitch Deck $500
- Photo shoot $175
- Videography Service $350
- 365 Wedding Package $3500 (payment plan available)
Contact Info:
- Email: Chris@gatecitymgt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clwphotographyvideography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gatecitymanagement/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chriswaymon
- Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm5855308/
Image Credits
CLW Photograpghy and Videography
