Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Damon Wood.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 1993, I started film school at Georgia State University- resulting in a Masters Degree, Film and Video Communication, 2000. The turn of the century was an exciting time to be in film and video production in Atlanta. I worked on independent films, corporate videos and live shows, fundraising campaigns for non-profit organizations, and many small, wonderful film and video productions. I taught digital production at The Art Institute of Atlanta. I also invested in real estate, an interest I had developed in the late 1980’s when I worked in the real estate industry in Atlanta. I continued in this fashion, freelancing in film and video, until 2018 when one of my clients talked me into joining his media agency, creating and managing the advertising and media for the Air National Guard. I did this through August 2019.
On the horizon was an opportunity to teach at Mercer University in Macon, gear up the creation of video projects in their studio, WMUB-TV and enhance my real estate business with additions in Macon. So now my time is split between my home and interests in Atlanta and my work in Macon. I teach digital storytelling, visual storytelling, screenwriting and media entrepreneurship at Mercer. Along the way, I did productions for autism foundations, Elevating Entertainment in Nashville, companies including Accenture, Google, Microsoft and Ford, and for Tyler Perry Productions. In development/production now are Toonin’ with Dr. Jay Black, an exploration of the early days of animation in series format, 20 Years of Bad Road, an exploration of Noir Film 1940 – 1960, and ShukUp! A virtual variety show. I still create videos for events and ad campaigns, currently for Atlanta Rowing Club’s Head of the Hooch regatta, the largest east of the Mississippi, which is held Nov. 6-7 in Chattanooga on the Tennesee River.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Creating film and video productions while maintaining a solid, consistent home life was a challenge while my kids were growing up. I was not going to be an absentee parent. This drove me to choose projects and workflow, which kept me off “the road.” I do not come from money, and not traveling in the circles of money is a challenge for anyone wanting to create mass media. But I was still able to do it and have a fulfilling career. Honestly, I just don’t think about obstacles when it comes to work, creativity, and success. The true nature of a film producer is that of a problem solver. Without problems or challenges, then I’m not hired, not needed. I love problems.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I spent many years shooting whatever someone was paying me to shoot, creating what someone was wanting to buy, working where the money was. I’m established with multiple income sources now, and as an “old dog,” I still seek out new tricks to learn. In life and work, it doesn’t do any good to just stick your toe in the water. If you want to experience if you want to achieve: you have to get into the water. I do that. Filmmaking is constant learning. So I do not shy away from new things. I just jump into the water.
Since 2000, I have conducted over 6,000 on-camera interviews ranging from street interviews, documentaries, ethnographies, marketing videos, and packages for larger organizations. The great thing about doing so many interviews is how it expands your worldview and makes you understand exactly how amazing people are! At this stage of my career, I look for creativity. I look for inspiration. I look for an opportunity to do what no one else is doing. To quote my favorite poem, Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, which examines the will of Ulysses in his older years, my goal is still “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The world moves faster and faster every day. For the artist, for the media creator, for the teacher, it is important not to give in to the temptation of running constant social media and repeated meaningless messages just to get clicks or views. When I studied journalism in college, the newspaper was called “fish wrapping.” You see, every day a new newspaper was printed and yesterday’s news was only good for wrapping fish. That hasn’t changed in the digital realm except for that droves of data is held and recalled at will. Old news comes back to haunt you faster and easier today. Here’s my industry outlook: Make quality. Make quality media for a specific audience with their values and sensibilities as guides for your production. Make it last. The marketplace wants serial entertainment worthy of binge-watching. Today’s viewer knows that they will invest hours, days or even longer watching your product. If you cannot deliver, you will be left aside. Those who do this- who make quality media in serial form- will be successful.
Contact Info:
- Email: jdworldshaker@gmail.com
- Website: under construction for rebranding, but it is worldshakermedia.com
Image Credits:
Credits: Mario Professional Photography – shots of J. Damon Wood Still frame from Driver: The limited series– Driver, directed by J. Damon Wood. The Driver, Rhett Johnson, checks out his passenger, Dani Deette. Still frames from 20 Years of Bad Road, produced and directed by J. Damon Wood. Pictured is J. Damon Wood. Closeup photo by Spencer Wood.
