Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Poindexter.
Hi Jeff, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For nearly as long as my memory dates back, movies struck a particular cord with me I simply couldn’t shake. We all go through phases growing up, narrowing down the options of the life we want to live as time moves forward. But as I saw each day pass, the world changing around me, friends coming and going, experiencing the highest highs and the lowest lows, one of the few consistent aspects of my life as my 30th go-around on this giant floating space rock approaches, are my love of movies.
I cherish the escapism film had to offer. Knowing the artform was a blank canvas, and the only limits were your own imagination.
Being someone who struggled academically, the prospect of film school was desirable, however I decided to choose an alternative strategy. When you’re young, professionally hungry, maybe a little impulsive with a dash of mild insanity, you just throw yourself to the first project that’ll take you.
I began as a production assistant for a fan film based off the series ‘Firefly’ around 2017-2018, when I realized this would be my film school. Helping build sets, interacting with nearly every department, learning set lingo, cameras, blocking, etc. It was invaluable experience I would carry with me throughout the rest of my 20’s.
I met so many wonderful and talented individuals on that set whom I’m grateful to call friends to this day.
However, the goal was never to be a professional production assistant. Absolutely no disrespect to any PA’s out there, but my goal was always to be a director.
After about 4-5 years helping other visions be brought to life, it was time to shift gears and focus on my own.
That’s when ‘Midnight Boardwalk Productions’ was finally established. Starting in Roseville, CA, now currently an Austin, TX based video/photo production company looking to tell original stories, support local businesses and artists through my services and create a body of work I can look back on with a sense of sincere accomplishment and pride.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not.
Anyone that wants to pursue something similar, you’ll never just ease into it.
I remember when I was really embracing photography as a part of my business model. A hobby I only began recently pursuing at the time. Seemed like a quicker way to make money rather than just relying on video.
I thought I was so great after really only doing it for a short period, that I began offering paid photoshoots.
I got my first offer and I completely botched the shoot. My settings were not correct on the camera, I was still learning the all the components of Lightroom at the time so the editing process was not streamlined whatsoever, and my lack of self-awareness of where my skillset was at made me overcharge this client.
I overpromised and underdelivered.
My client was not happy and I offered a full refund.
That experience was a cold splash of water to the face.
I was prioritizing the financial aspect, without producing a final product that justified its price point.
Ego can be a benefit in particular circumstances, but if unmanaged and unchallenged, it can be the first of many dominos to fall in a path of self-destruction for yourself and business aspirations.
This forced me to take a step back, and show respect for the craft and put in the needed work/research to truly get those end results I knew I was capable of obtaining.
Failure is inevitable.
However, it can also provide some of best lessons learned in life and in business.
I became a stronger force behind the came once I came to terms with that fact.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
If I’m producing an ad, a music video, a short film, or even just providing headshots for local talent, it doesn’t matter what it is. I refuse to walk away from the job unless I knew I gave it everything I had to offer.
I’m a stubborn person by nature, which I think is a vital trait to have if you’re pursuing any form of creative venture.
In 2022, with the help of some of my best buds, we managed to pull off what I consider a creative miracle.
After 9 script drafts, 6+ months of sporadic shooting while working full time day jobs, another 6 months of editing (accompanied by a tremendous amount of technical issues), we produced a 30 minute comedy short film called ‘Burnouts’. Which only saw the light of day thanks to their tremendous efforts and dedication.
We held a premiere for friends and family in my local town, which was the thrill of a lifetime. The reactions were out of this world, which was one of my most humbling experiences.
There’s moments in life you daydream about, unsure if they’ll ever truly manifest.
I questioned throughout the production if any of this was even worthwhile.
On that premiere night, I got my answer.
Yes.
However, deep down I never felt truly happy with the initial edit shown. I felt I cut corners, made some compromises that hurt the project in some regard leaving the film feeling choppy in moments. The reception was still positive, but that didn’t shield me from criticism. You still need to respect the intelligence of your audience and take the feedback.
I used the premiere date deadline as an excuse.
After the level of support that was provided, I felt a pit in my stomach that I as the director did not fulfill my obligations.
My approach is putting myself in the perspective of the audience. Take the fact it’s something I helped produce out of the equation. Emotionally disconnect myself from it, which is not easy to do, and just look at what’s on screen. Do I feel there could be improvements? Are they obtainable? If the answer is yes, why would I want to rob the audience of that full potential experience? It’s their time you’re asking them to invest at the end of the day.
That’s when I made the decision to pull my 60-70% satisfactory edit from Youtube, go back, and meticulously fine tune the project. Which finally, will hopefully be making some festival runs in 2025.
The state it’s in now, I’m thrilled with and is far more aligned with the original vision.
I never want to cut corners again creatively or professionally.
My mission is the tell a good story, take the audience on for the journey and find the next logical step in how to make that story as effective as possible. You must never stop learning, otherwise you’re never going to improve.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I look back on my childhood extremely fondly, which I attribute entirely to my wonderful parents. A fact I never try to take for granted.
Picking an isolated memory is tough.
One memory I hold pretty close was seeing Peter Jackson’s King Kong remake on Christmas Day in 2005 with my whole family.
I was 10 years old and my excitement couldn’t be higher.
I’ve always loved monster movies, but King Kong was something special. Before seeing the Peter Jackson version, I loved watching the original 1933 film with my mom, but also my grandpa who would tell me stories of what that film was like in ’33.
I wish I could asked him today what was going through his head when he could see me being swept up in the experience.
I wonder how much that paralleled his first time seeing the original, as our ages would have been nearly the same.
I think that’s part of the magic of movies. They can act as the binding centerpiece for some of the most special moments and memories you share with those closest to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.midnightboardwalkproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffpoindexterphotography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-poindexter-805655168
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@midnightboardwalkproductions
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6744794/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_2_in_0_q_jeff%2520poindexter
Image Credits
Jeff Poindexter
