Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Bing.
Hi Josh, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
When I was a kid into my teenage years, I always loved watching the behind-the-scenes of film and television. I would even write my own stories back then, creating my own worlds and my characters. Film and television always fascinated me. It’s what I wanted to do, so when I went to college, that’s what I set out to pursue. My undergrad, University of South Carolina Beaufort, didn’t offer a film degree, but I’m very grateful to have found that they offered a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Because of that, I ended up creating a multi-disciplined business approach in my creativity, communication, and education.
I graduated college a year early in 2020 during the pandemic, but right before the pandemic hit, I’d set my sights on graduate school. My advisor and I planned to use my Interdisciplinary degree as a foundation for a Film Production Master’s. So, getting that that was a dream come true. I fulfilled that dream last year when I took on becoming a graduate student in Film Production. I graduated with honors in December 2021 and, throughout that time, built a solid portfolio of short films and screenplays.
But then I was like, “Why stop there?” I’d always found business important, and I constantly read the big trades to understand the business of film and television and how it’s changing. The film and television industry are in the entertainment industry, and it’s important to remember that industries are businesses, and in business, money, and contracts are involved. To quote the great Kenya Barris, “It’s not the same world as before the pandemic.” Film and television changed so much.
So, I took an Entertainment Business Master’s Degree to understand as much as I could, with an expected graduation date of November of this year, 2022. I also took on doing MasterClass at the same time. So, that’s where I am today! Finishing that Business Masters and studying with the Masters of Masterclass! Having written several original pilot scripts, I’m also developing more pilots and features and seeking representation and internships to start to truly begin my professional career. Simultaneously, I’m working with a team I’ve created to finish post-production on three short films, which I consider some of my best before I begin to take on the film festival circuit. And I’m looking forward to officially launching my own LLC later this year/early next year. It’s a lot! But I’m a hustler, and I don’t know any other way.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I’m a black young adult, and in the past two years alone there’s been enough happening to my people to discourage walking that road towards achieving my dreams. For personally, I’ve had my fair share of struggles. Pursing graduate studies meant moving away from home. I had to readjust and tackle life head-on. I turned 23 this year, but when I moved, I was only 21. I’ve also had to support myself by maintaining a series of jobs during my undergraduate studies and even now during my graduate studies, so it’s been a balancing act. Even in undergrad, there were days where I went to class for 3 and a half hours, drove 40 minutes to my job where I worked for 2 hours, drove back to class only to leave class early and drive back to work to finish the day. I never got that traditional “college experience” because I was always working and doing classes. That being said, I graduated high school in 3 years, college in 3 years, got a Film MFA in 1, and this Business Master’s will be complete in November, all at the age of 23.
I say that not to brag but to say I remain humble because the road hasn’t been easy. If anything, it’s been intense. But I’m a Christian. I’m a believer in God. And I always treasure the verse where the Bible says, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” So, I take comfort in the fact that I don’t walk that road alone. And I have an amazing support system in my family and friends to support me and my dreams.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I do is make film and create content, but what I specialize in is directing, producing, and screenwriting. That’s what I’m known for. It’s so funny, at work on campus as a tour guide, in my downtime, I will literally plot out entire episode ideas by writing on the dry-erase walls in my supervisors’ office, breaking everything down to them, and asking for feedback. I’m sure they get tired of me! But I love writing! I love creating new characters and stories. I love bringing my audience together in that way, to entertain but also inspire. Compelling stories of cinematic quality is my motto.
To quote Kenya Barris, “It’s a special time in this industry if you’re Black and you have something to say.”
I’m an artist. I’m a black man. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m a Christian. I like to say I’m black, blessed, and highly favored. That’s my identity, and my identity is in my art. As I get more rooted in that identity, I find the stories I want to tell are ones that elevate the culture. Stories of black excellence, stories about our way of living, our way of life. Yara Shahidi said it best, “In your specificity, you’re actually doing more. People are more effective when you’re able to be so specific.” So, while I love storytelling in general, telling stories with black people front and center, showing our way of life how amazing we are, I’ve found, is my specificity. Even exploring stories of black people as creatives and artists is in there too. That being said, I’m a really big fan of dramas, psychological thrillers, sci-fi, and comedies. Stuff like Power on STARZ, Mandalorian on Disney+, Grownish, Greys Anatomy and Scandal on ABC and Freeform, Ted Lasso and The Morning Show on Apple TV+, “True Story” and “Inventing Anna” on Netflix, films like “The Hate U Give and Creed” and “Knives Out”, and of course everything Marvel Studios – that’s the kind of excellent storytelling from television and film that’s catching my attention. I have to give a special nod to House of the Dragon on HBO Max too – it’s terrific and compelling storytelling with cinematic visuals. But honestly, at the end of the day, character dictates plot, plot doesn’t dictate character. If whatever tv show or film I’m watching is character driven and compelling, and if the writing is on point, then I’m a fan.
What I’m most proud of is my drive, self-motivation, and humility. I’ve come so far, and I’ve got a long way to go. I’ve accomplished a lot at the age of 23, but I’m nowhere near perfect, even if I’m a perfectionist. I’m grateful to be surrounded by mentors of mine to help me grow and give me constrictive feedback, whether it be people I know personally or people I watch in admiration, like Yara Shahidi, Kenya Barris, Shonda Rhimes, Courtney Kemp, Ryan Coogler. My favorite quotes by a few of those guys are when Yara said she looks up to people who show that, “Tedious work requires infrastructures they set up by themselves.” Those are the people who tell compelling stories and build those infrastructures not just for themselves but for others. Courtney Kemp said, “Knowing what I don’t know helps me every day.” Shonda said, “Don’t dream small.” Coogler said, “For me with me, making a film is always about humanity.” My mom still says to this day, “Always remember you have the ability to comprehend, understand, and to excel.” Also, I’m proud my first name is Henry. I go by my middle name Josh, but my first name is also my father’s name. I love my dad, so I’m proud to carry it with me!
And last, I believe what sets me apart is my ability to turn passion into action. That passion is what keeps me up at night writing. It’s what compelled to go after higher education. It’s how I know I’ll make it one day. I want to be a showrunner in television and realize my dream of creating my own shows. I want to direct and write for tv shows and feature films. I want to produce them too. If I keep God first, and put the hard work in, I know I’ll fulfill my dreams.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can collaborate support me by visiting my website, joshbing.myportfolio.com, and checking out the work I’ve done so far in my three portfolios for directing + producing, screenwriting, and entertainment business! Black people where I’m from in Beaufort love to say, “May the work I’ve done speak for me.” If any tv and film agents or producers are out there reading this, I’d love it if they would do the same. Again, I’m seeking representation, so I had to add that part!
People can collaborate with me if they’d like by getting in touch with me using hjoshuabing@gmail.com or hjbing@student.fullsail.edu. Any services I offer of course, aren’t free, minus an initial consultation. But, while I will charge for my services, you will get excellence and quality, and attention to detail from me. I always say even if you hire me to do one job, I lean into my combined skillset from all my education to get that job done the best, and way I know how to guarantee client satisfaction.
Pricing:
- FREE Preliminary Consultation
- Directing – $500 day rate/$62.50 an hour for 8 hours
- Producing – $500 day rate/$62.50 an hour for 8 hours
- Editing – $300 day rate/$37.50 an hour for 8 hours
- Screenwriting – $256 day rate/32 an hour for 8 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joshbing.myportfolio.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshbingfilms/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshBingFilms
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12583742/
Image Credits
Zamor Photos and Nate Madden
