Meet Ray Taylor

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ray Taylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Ray 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?

My strong work ethic is rooted in the values my grandparents instilled in me. They always emphasized that with hard work, I could accomplish anything. A quote that resonated with me later in life, which paraphrased says, “You can’t master anything without putting in 10,000 hours. But you can’t put in 10,000 hours if you don’t start with one.” has shaped my approach to work.

I got my first jobs at 15—coaching 1st and 2nd graders in basketball and serving at Johnny Rockets. That summer, I started a pattern of always working, usually juggling multiple jobs. Since then, I’ve worked over 40 different jobs—everything from restaurants and retail to theatre, live events, and film production. Although it took time to discover my passion for filmmaking, when I did, I was all in. Joining the military to fund film school was a pivotal moment, and ever since, I’ve dedicated every ounce of energy into honing my craft.

Since then, I’ve put everything I’ve got into honing my skills. All the different jobs I’ve worked have taught me how to communicate clearly, lead teams, and handle whatever challenges come my way. Whether it was serving tables or directing on set, I’ve learned how to bring people together and keep things moving. Being on set is where I really thrive, though—I always say, “Any day on set is a good day,” even when things aren’t perfect. Through it all, my grandparents’ lesson sticks with me: working hard at everything you do is the key to success. That’s what drives me every day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As a filmmaker, my journey started in film school, where I set a challenge for myself: to film 12 short films in 12 months. It was a personal mission to master storytelling, strengthen teamwork, and develop my skills across all aspects of production. That experience shaped how I approach filmmaking today.

Since graduating, I’ve had the honor of interning with the Academy Gold Rising program, earning a scholarship, and being hired as a Gold PA and press guide for the 96th Oscars. I’ve worked in the art department for many music videos and as a PA and coordinator on national commercials and TV shows, including Criminal Minds. Though these experiences have been invaluable, my true passion is directing.

As someone who is part of both the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, my goal is to normalize seeing these identities on screen in authentic, diverse roles. I want to tell stories that don’t focus on trauma or coming out but instead highlight queer and disabled characters living full, vibrant lives. I’ve had the privilege of making two films for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, where I worked with incredibly talented disabled artists both in front of and behind the camera. I’ve continued to collaborate with them on other challenges, including the AGBO No Sleep Til 48 hour film challenge, proving that disabilities do not stop people from succeeding. Both my Easterseals and AGBO films were screened at Warner Bros.’ DiversAbilities Film Showcase, which was a proud moment in my career.

Ultimately, my goal is to create films that make people smile, that bring joy and light to the world, and that leave audiences feeling just a little bit better when they walk out of the theatre.

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?

1. Filmmaking is an art form: At its core, filmmaking is about creating art, and like all art, it’s subjective. People experience art in many forms every day—movies, TV shows, music, paintings—and everyone has different opinions on it. Understanding this helps you remember that you can’t please everyone. Once you accept that, it frees you up to focus on creating the best art possible for the right audience, rather than trying to cater to everyone’s tastes.

2. You can’t make a film alone: Filmmaking is a deeply collaborative process. There’s a reason credits take 5-10 minutes at the end of a movie—every name listed contributed to the final product in some way. When I did my 12 films in 12 months challenge, I started with just my wife and a couple of friends, but by the last film, I had a cast and crew of 40 people. That’s because I realized early on that I couldn’t do everything myself. When I tried to handle lighting, camera work, and sound, my attention was stretched too thin. Once I had a team in place, I was able to focus on what mattered most—directing and getting the best performances from my actors. Trust your team, because filmmaking is never a solo venture.

3. Kindness goes a long way: Whether you’re a PA or the director, you’ll be working with people from all walks of life, with different experience levels and skills. You might not know what the grips or prop masters are dealing with, or how long a PA has been on set that day. Everyone says this industry is about who you know, but I believe it’s more about who knows you—and specifically, how they know you. Being kind, hardworking, and easy to work with is what keeps people wanting to work with you. There’s no reason to belittle or talk down to others because they’re in a different department or lower on the totem pole. Treating people with kindness will carry you far in this industry and lead to more opportunities down the line.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The number one challenge I’m currently facing is navigating the film industry as an LGBTQ+ and disabled filmmaker while striving to tell stories that break away from typical narratives. Often, LGBTQ+ stories center around trauma, hardship, or coming out. While those experiences are important, they don’t reflect the full spectrum of what it means to be queer or disabled. My goal is to create films that normalize these identities in stories where they are part of who the characters are, but not the sole focus of the narrative.

To tackle this challenge, I’m actively creating the work I want to see. I’m not waiting for permission or the “right moment.” When I was in film school, I challenged myself to create 12 short films in 12 months. It was an intense experience, but it taught me invaluable lessons about storytelling and teamwork. Since then, I’ve continued to make films, including two for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, collaborating with talented disabled artists both in front of and behind the camera. This experience has shown me that disabilities do not limit people’s ability to succeed, and we need to see more of that representation on screen.

I’ve also been fortunate to participate in programs like the Academy Gold Rising Program, which opened many doors for me in the industry. I interned there, graduated with a scholarship, and even worked as a Gold PA and press guide for the 96th Oscars. These experiences have allowed me to build relationships with people who appreciate diverse stories. It’s not just about knowing the right people; it’s also about being visible and showcasing what I can do. Whether I’m working on national commercials, TV shows like Criminal Minds, or music videos, I strive to keep my name associated with quality work and inclusive narratives.

In addition, I actively advocate for representation in every project I undertake. I’m intentional about hiring LGBTQ+ and disabled talent, and I continue collaborating with the cast and crew from previous film challenges because I believe in their abilities. One of my films from the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, along with my entry for the AGBO No Sleep Til 48 Hour Film Challenge, was screened at Warner Bros.’ DiversAbilities Film Showcase. This recognition was not just a personal victory; it was a testament to the power of representation and a sign that audiences are ready to see more of it.

Compounding these challenges, I graduated from film school and the Academy Gold Rising program during a pivotal time—the WGA and SAG strikes. Just as I was feeling confident about my future, everything came to a halt. I struggled to find work and ended up unemployed for six months, the longest stretch I’d faced since I was 15. My wife and I debated whether I should take a job in a restaurant to help pay the bills, which would pull me away from the industry I love, or keep searching for film-related jobs. Eventually, I took a part-time position at Warner Bros. as a tour guide, leading to a new challenge: being just ten feet away from the sets I aspire to be part of, but not yet able to participate.

Each day, I drive guests around the backlot, sharing my enthusiasm for filmmaking while watching crews work on projects I dream of being involved in. Yet, I find encouragement in this role. The backlot has become my home base and has opened numerous doors for me. I remind myself that I’m in the right place, and this fuels my desire to keep writing, meeting with producers and actors, and honing my skills. Every day on the backlot brings me one step closer to the career I’ve always dreamed of, and I’m committed to pushing through these obstacles.

While breaking through traditional expectations is challenging, I believe in creating work that matters, building strong relationships, and advocating for underrepresented communities. Every film and project I take on is a step forward in normalizing queer and disabled stories in ways that uplift and entertain. That’s my mission, and I’m just getting started.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

MG Gillis, Farzad Refahi, Blaine Harrington IV, Lauren Selman, Erica Sadeghani, Miguel S. Romero

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