We recently connected with J.R. Sawyers and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have J.R. with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
If I had to pinpoint when my work ethic really kicked in, I’d say it was around age 12 or 13. I remember getting my grades back, and they were… okay. Nothing amazing, but enough to get by. My teachers were fine with it; I was fine with it. Then my mother asked me a simple question: “Do you think you could’ve done better?” Without no hesitation, I said, “Yes.” So she asked, “Then why didn’t you?”
I didn’t have a real answer. I knew I didn’t try. That’s when she explained why putting in 100% effort matters—not just for school, but for life. Something clicked. From that moment on, I made sure to give it my best, and my grades showed it. I went from “good enough” to almost always straight A’s. I even earned an academic scholarship to college.
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’m a Los Angeles-based filmmaker with a taste for crafting character studies in unusual, sometimes fantastic settings. Originally from New York City, I was inspired by introspective films like Taxi Driver and Rocky; and movies filled with character-driven spectacle like Interstellar and Jaws.
I’ve made three small feature films so far, each a labor of love. They’ve all done reasonably well, both in festivals and financially, which has been incredibly rewarding as an indie filmmaker and entrepreneur. I’ve worked with some amazing people on each project, and seeing our work pay off has been a thrill. But if I’m honest, my real dream goes beyond the indie circuit—I’d love the chance to direct for a major studio someday. That’s the next level, the one I’ve been working toward with every film I’ve made.
My latest feature, *A Trip Elsewhere*, might just be the ticket I need. It’s set to release on Christmas Day on Apple TV, Apple and more. My cast, crew, and I are buzzing with excitement. We’ve poured so much of ourselves into this film, and the idea of sharing it with a wider audience is incredibly exciting.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three things have really stood out as game-changers in my journey: perseverance, adaptability and the drive to keep learning.
Perseverance has been the foundation. In both filmmaking and any creative work, things rarely go exactly as planned. For me, staying committed, even when things got tough, helped me push through setbacks and keep my vision alive. To anyone just starting out, I’d say: expect challenges, but don’t let them discourage you. Each roadblock is just a step on the way. This is especially true if you want to become a filmmaker. A director’s job is to be perseverant and solve problems.
Adaptability is huge as well. In the indie world, resources are tight, and things don’t always work out the way you envisioned. Being flexible and finding solutions on the fly has made all the difference, especially when it comes to working with a team. My advice here? Try to stay open-minded, and remember that sometimes the unexpected can lead to something even better than you planned. This is true with life in general.
Lastly, there’s the value of constant learning. I’m naturally curious about everything, and it’s a quality I try to keep alive. Keeping myself curious has fueled every project and most of my journey through life. Not to mention, even the smallest bits of knowledge add up and come in handy in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
A big challenge I’m facing right now is the uncertainty of where the film industry is headed, especially with AI and other emerging technologies reshaping how stories are made, shared, and even experienced. I love the craft of filmmaking—the hands-on creativity, working with people to bring ideas to life—and there’s a part of me that worries this might change in ways I can’t predict or control.
With AI now capable of generating scripts, creating digital characters, and even generating entire clips of video in seconds, there’s a big question mark about what the industry will look like in just a few years. Will studios rely more on automated processes? Will the raw, human-driven elements of filmmaking that I love get replaced by quicker and more cold? I don’t know. This uncertainty is both exciting and daunting.
At the moment, I’m just trying to stay adaptable and curious.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jrsawyers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jr_sawyers/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-r-sawyers-2628a652/
- Twitter: https://x.com/explorewithfilm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jrsawyers
- Other: https://medium.com/@jrsawyers
Image Credits
David Rubalcava
