Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffery Watson.
Jeffery, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a writer, director and visual effects compositor for many films here in Dallas and many more outside of Dallas as well.
I started my journey as an actor like many wanting to showcase my skills to the world. Until I decided to take it a step further and decided, instead of looking for acting jobs. I’ll create acting jobs. So I started directing films soon after. I then later discovered my imagination for film is beyond what I’m seeing on the everyday sets, I’m a sci-fi, action adventure type of film guy. Realizing this, I soon discovered there were no VFX (Special effects) compositors in the area to make my visions come to life on the big screen like I wanted, so it was only one thing to do from there. Teach myself how to do it.
This was a process that if I knew what I knew now about the hours it takes and years it takes to get, I’d still do it because of the challenge and reward it gives me. So in teaching myself the VFX craft I soon started to notice other people noticing my work and giving me accolades for it. I started getting jobs from Capital One, Dallas Cowboys, Susan G Coleman, and jobs for films on Netflix to do visual effects for. This skill I taught myself became a gateway to so many opportunities. After serving in the Air Force and making Dallas my home, I noticed a decline in enjoyable, positive film-making in the area, so I decided to do something about it.
Which lead me to use my skill as a vfx artist and director to create a film series to give Dallas actors a chance of a lifetime. One thing whether young or old we all wanted to be was a superhero in our lives. With this in mind I created a great sci-fi action series to give Dallas actors a chance to live out their dreams on a great platform. Not only that I wanted to give them the full Hollywood experience by sending them to combat choreography camp, catering, and renting cinema style cameras to give them that real movie feel with some of the best cinematographers behind them. This will have that classic Marvel Films feel of X-MEN and The Avengers on camera and off. Knowing a lot of talent here will never get to a marvel set, I decided to bring it to them. And this series will be pitched to all major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and more for even bigger opportunities.
Pretty soon the buzz has spread like wildfire and you hear EVOS everywhere in Dallas and other states, all because I did nothing special but see a problem and create a solution. This film series has provided an opportunity for actors and actresses to be a part of something much bigger than themselves while also working together to make each other’s dreams come true.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road started off smooth at first it seemed I could do no wrong and everything worked out exactly as planned. But one major bump in the road was finances. Me as a beginning vfx artist was undercharging for my work just to make sure I get them which hurt me in the end. Also, although I mastered a lot of crafts it’s some things I wish I did eventually go to school for just to be super sure in. But it’s a constant learning process. So when it comes to trying to make dreams come true for hundreds of others and you only have your budget to rely on that becomes a hassle at times to go without to make sure they have what you want them to have. Another struggle when running your own business is time. It takes time away from you hanging with friends, family and less time to sleep. But, those are things I knew I have to sacrifice for a bit to reach my goal. Doesn’t mean it was easy.
Please tell us about JeffX Visuals.
My business is creating special effects for people’s film. I usually get footage from filmmakers that they need edited with some sort of visual effects that they couldn’t do while shooting and that’s where I come in and add what they need to footage.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I probably would have made the time to take classes to learn more about this art. I love learning more and more everyday about what I can do, but I think I would really know a lot of the smaller things only you can learn in classroom setting.
Pricing:
- Animated Logos = 250.00
- Visual Effects for film varies but start around 500.00 and goes up depending on what else is needed
Contact Info:
- Phone: 2144716551
- Email: jeffxvisuals@gmail.com
- Instagram: @jeffx_visuals
- Facebook: jeffery watson
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
