We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful James “jr” Rhaburn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with James “JR” below.
James “JR”, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
Being alive for me is usually enough to persist. Sometimes I feel I shouldn’t be here. Numerous health complications from when I was younger, the stats say I would be anything but normal, if I lived long enough anyway. Well, I’m still here. As I age, I think I care less what others say about me cause no one has walk in my shoes. No one knows the decisions I made to better myself and what that has cost me. It’s actually an on-going set of experiences. I breathe and bleed just like everyone else. Everyday, thanks to my surroundings and social media, I see someone going after their dreams. Why should I not go after my dreams?
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a indie film director and screenwriter. I am also a photographer that specializes in Fashion, Portraits, Lifestyle, editorial, Fine Arts and BTS still photography.
What I do is special to me because it allows me to express myself in spaces to create. I love the storytelling that filmmaking provides and the endless possibilities it encompasses, even if a certain power establishment says otherwise. For the longest time, I only have the resources to write and with encouragement from those that saw the potential in me. Eventually I was able to get a camera and put that thing to use for bringing my writing to life. Still doing by that way. It’s time for a feature film, but I thank God for those short films that got me to where I am now. Right now, I am trying to finish a horror pilot called “The Twizzots.” As of this writing, it’ll be my best work to date. Very proud of it. I’ll leave more on that info in the bio of my IG, in case anyone wants to help finish it faster. Moving on.
Photography is like Film’s big cousin. My mom and grandmother have archives of family events and history. My mother used to have always buy disposable cameras and occasionally I get my hands on a few of them and I just started documenting whatever was around me. No intentional purpose. It was fun just to do. It was only about 10 years ago I decided to do something serious with photography and look where the time has gone. Capturing a moment in time. Something is definitely powerful about that. I hope to continue making art for the rest of my life and I hope it inspires others to do the same.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Just 3?… Confidence. Discernment. Teamwork.
I’m a bit iffy on this question. Hard to pin just 3… Confidence is just one of those things in life no matter who you are or what you’re doing, you’re going to need and apply it. It comes and comes, especially as an artist. Not too many see the challenges it takes to bring things to life. There’s a lot of back and forth with doubt and execution of said idea. Sometimes things fall apart and sometimes a miracle is born. It’s one of those skills that for me anyway, I have to keep sharpening.
Discernment is another tool that helps us make critical decisions that may take lasting effects of our lives, professionally or personal. Time wasted is such a burden to carry and one will learn at some point that not every battle is worth the effort. I’m not responsible of people’s opinion of me, nor do I feel the need to prove my worth to anybody, but myself. In entertainment and in life, people use you, good and bad for various reasons. Having discernment helps to figure out if it’s worth doing anything with said people. An experience that comes with experiences.
Teamwork, well… Everyone needs help somewhere down the line, even myself. Filmmaking isn’t a one man’s job. If you can help, help. Everyone needs a team player for their objectives.
My advice for those early in their journeys is to open themselves to be led by their peers and get mentorship, if possible, but also, explore and experiment on your craft as much as you can. Research, action, repeat.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes. Great thing about living in Los Angeles doing the work that I do, is that I’m always meeting people. However, I would like to establish myself with a consistent team of artists ranging from writers, editors, sound mixers, other directors, actors, anybody that loves and breathes filmmaking, I’d love to meet. I also would love to connect with more healers, no major description for that. At this point, anybody who has a good heart and is about becoming their best self, let’s talk.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raybizzle91/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rhaburnchannel106
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