Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Paris Griffin and Alicia Marie Douglas.
Jessica and Alicia Marie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Jessica Paris- Being honest with myself was the first step. I had just completed my master’s degree in nursing, was working a great job but something was missing. I realized that I wasn’t happy or truly living within my full purpose. So, one day while I was sitting on the couch, watching Netflix, something clicked. I wanted to create our own production company. I started researching, looking up classes, going to the library to checking out books focusing on the goal of being business owners. We can do this ourselves! I knew that it was going to be a difficult journey, however, I made the decision to start, and I called my sister to share my idea and hear her thoughts. After that conversation and more research and brainstorming… Paris Marie Productions was born.
Alicia Marie- My sister brought to me the pitch of us starting our own production company. We were talking about how if you don’t see yourself in things then you create it. We were really inspired by shows we watched while growing up and some of the women today in the industry that we looked up to such as Shonda Rhimes, Issa Rae and Ava DuVernay. We could sit at the table and create our own lane. It’s amazing the things you can do with the right team behind you.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing is ever easy, and we are thankful for the strides we have made, and it only gets better. I think the big thing to learn is patience. Patience with yourself for taking the leap of faith and giving yourself time to learn a new craft and to brand yourself. Patience with others. I feel we all want things to go a certain away and when it doesn’t (i.e. losing a month’s worth of video footage, yikes), we tend to feel disappointed, but it’s important to be kind to yourself because… your moment is coming. We started off slow but with doing research, collaborating with others, failing and learning from our mistakes… we have finally picked up business tremendously and we pray we will continue to do so. Our advice for young women just starting is to remember that nothing will ever start until they believe in themselves. And never stop learning!! Network and try to get as much as experience as possible! Find your tribe and trust us… you will thrive!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Paris Marie Productions – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a production company specializing in photography, film, and theatre. Not every production company is also producing their own theatre productions and we are so excited to provide an opportunity for amazingly talented artists to perform in the DFW community. Our overall goal is to give a voice to the voiceless and provide the opportunity for everyone to be able to contribute to the team. Not only are we behind the camera’s lens or directing theatre production, but we are also right in front of the camera and on the stage performing with the rest of the team! We want people to know that they are capable of doing anything they are willing to put the work towards, in all capacities they desire. We are most proud of our message which is to, “Give people of color the opportunity to use their talents and tell stories that tap into the emotions of other people, by allowing them to escape from their daily reality; while also addressing real-life issues. Our brand inspires to elicit feelings of joy, love, sadness, anger, empathy, happiness, but most of all hope… hope in humanity.” We want to stay true to our mission because we believe everyone has a voice and a story to tell that deserves to be heard!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Honestly, one of the biggest barriers we have seen is the lack of opportunity women have been given to step behind the camera and direct. We deal with a lot just by being in the room because it is a male-dominated business. There aren’t many women doing this and we deserve the opportunity. What Paris Marie Productions is doing is building our own table and we hope you show up to have a seat with us!
Pricing:
- Our standard rates are as listed below, however, we do recommend contacting us at Parismarieproductions@gmail.com or visiting our website at www.parismarieproductions.com for an inquiry on seasonal prices:
- Photography: Individual: Starting at $125-175 Groups: Starting at $250
- Videography: 1-5min video: Starting at $250
- Keep an eye out on prices for tickets at our next Theater Production by following us on Instagram @parismarieproductions
Contact Info:
- Website: www.parismarieproductions.com
- Phone: 469-626-7418
- Email: parismarieproductions@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parismarieproductions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parismarieproductions
Image Credit:
Paris Marie Productions and Erica Marie Photography
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