We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Benjamin Coffey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Benjamin, so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I’ve always respected and honored the words of friends and family around me. Words of affirmation always motivated me to continue my career path. Some people (even those closest to me), have doubted my efforts to progress in the industry. Whether it was for religious reasons or lack of a “stable” job, some people didn’t believe that a successful career path could be created with art I enjoyed. All in all… I loved to disrupt the crowd.
Around three years ago, I noticed my accountant put in less effort, my mentors turned against, and my success seemed unreachable. When my motivation was lost, I was solely focused on my financial losses. There was decline in the responsibility and confidence I had in my company. It’s impossible to grow without the support of others. I spent more hours sleeping, on my phone, and avoiding creative outlets. These challenges lead me to severe depression, anxiety, drug addiction, and alcoholism. I was burnt out.
One of my Production Assistants approached me that week. She was the country-type, with a thick southern accent. She’d always say my name with two syllables instead of one.
“Ya know, Ben… I really look up to you. I want to live your life one day,” she said. I was nearly in tears when she said it. To this day – she has no idea the impact her words had on my life. Even though it felt like the whole world was against me… there’s always someone who can lead you to find your purpose. There was creative energy, energy of revenge, and energy to inspire others with the same confidence. My purpose was to give people the opportunity to find joy in their career and create without shame of expressing themselves.
The challenges I faced were the tools that built the stage for the legacy I will leave. From this stage I say, “You are not broken, you are not imperfect, and you are not less valuable than those around you. YOU are a powerful voice that the world needs to hear… so disrupt the crowd.”
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 began my career in the film industry in 2017, when I was 17 years old. I was working fast food and job-hopping to get funds to buy a camera. I’ll never forget sitting in my parent’s garage with a VHS camcorder, building things and filming lego figures (because they didn’t require a talent release). Toward the beginning of 2018, I decided to create the foundation for my first business. After receiving my Associate’s Degree, I decided to further my education in the field. I attended certified training in LA & Chicago on the weekends while working fast food on the weekdays.
Today, I’m the owner of two Film & Video Production companies currently based in Charlotte, North Carolina. These agencies supply high-end production services from pre-production to post-production for clients internationally. Within two years (2020), my team and I had collaborated on over 250 Productions in Europe, Asia, and North America. I’ve had the honor to represent clients such as Google, Disney, Dreamville, GK Hair, Lingodeer, and a variety of other top-rated Agencies and Corporations.
My business is founded on creating art that resonates and building teams that feel like family. I’m stronger because of the artists I work with. I’m stronger because I have the opportunity to work with a diverse community of creators and tell their stories through the creative process. The crew and I spend hours on set working to illustrate something that resonates. We’ve run take after take to get a final product that fits the Director’s vision. I’m thankful for the opportunity to create new ideas, resonate, and connect with others through the work I do… it’s beautiful.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Education, experience, and character is the foundation of my creative technique. Learning from credible educators has provided me the resources and knowledge I need to interpret my artistic vision. Although I’ve been working in the film industry for a short time (five years), I find so much value in the experiences I’ve had. Artists often view their work as a reflection of the life they have lived. It can be difficult sometimes for me to draw the line between personal and professional life. Art is an expression. No matter how much I want to protect the artwork I create, I am not in control of the public’s perception of my work. Working in this industry has taught me how to love the work I do, respect the process, and ultimately create work that resonates. This work is a reflection of personal experiences that I find valuable to me. The public may not understand the value of my work without learning the historical context from which it was created. My career has been incredibly rewarding and still won’t please every audience. Learning this has helped me become comfortable with making mistakes and creating without fear of expressing myself. Educating yourself will always lead to opportunity.
Oh yea… and just be a nice person. That is pretty much it.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Anxiety, depression, and addiction has always been a huge challenge for me to overcome. This being said, I’ve been a huge advocate for mental health. I’ve found peace in writing poetry and allowing my emotions to flow through to paper. Expressing myself through art is therapeutic and allows me to refocus on life purpose and praises healthy patterns outside of work. Beyond art, I’ve also found a new love for exercise, running, and spending time with my miniature Jack Russel.
I encourage everyone to find something that brings them peace.
There is a misconception in today’s society that “peace and joy” is a sign of weakness. I see healthy, joyful, individuals with healthy patterns in life are some of the most influential people in my life. As Mac Miller said, ““Enjoy the best things in your life, ’cause you ain’t gonna live it twice. They say you waste time asleep, but I’m just trying to dream.”
Good artists know how to grind and get things done. Great artists know how to find balance in their success and hard work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.benjamincoffey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_overweight_ostrich/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bccinematics
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamincoffey2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@benjamincoffey1096
- Other: www.bccinematics.com
Image Credits
Travis Jones (Travis Jones Photo) Bre Davis (PMC Productions)
