Meet Joe Harris | Commercial Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is a crucial part of growth, in both a career and a life. I think about risk as a chance to push your limits emotionally, mentally and creatively. There are plenty of people that are risk averse, understandably so. Why risk loosing (or changing for the worse) what you’ve worked so hard for? My answer is to grow and gain. Calculated risk taking can help you understand yourself, your abilities and your desires. If you practice this enough the negative reputation that risk taking has becomes a positive reputation.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a Commercial Director. I share stories for clients and brands. I pride myself on helping those clients and brands with solving problems through visual story-telling. The characteristic i’m most proud of in that regard is my passion and ability to do it in a high-concept and stylized way with visual effects and comedy. Nothing in my business is easy. Identifying an artistic voice isn’t easy and being successful (to any degree) isn’t easy. It’s hard, but worth it. I imagine my career as water that leads to and from the ocean. It began in a broad and abstract way, finds structure and purpose and becomes part of a kinetic energy that drives itself into a river, the river evolves its position and size and always moves forward. With that said, I used that thought process to realize that theres no real way to “make it” or be successful, you determine those goals and you create as many opportunities for your self to obtain those goals. I used my networking and relationships to learn and grow as a director, knowing that I could somehow translate those later on to work. Its fun because it lets you learn in a very hands on manner. It also helped me learn how to listen to everyone and collaborate with everyone to ensure that every project is successful and reaches its full potential.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Two things to know about me are that I am a die hard TEXAS loyalist. Texas Forever. The other thing to note is that I love experiences over objects. So some of my favorite things to do and tell friends from out of town is, let’s go get some BBQ! Pecan Lodge is the best Brisket in TX. Wash it down with some Shiner or an ice cold Lone Star or some great local craft brews and that’ll set y’all straight! I love the fun experiences that are available in Deep Ellum. You can see killer bands, fantastic art, great food and interesting events.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Im all about shoutouts! I certainly have no success in life without the help and support of an army of people. Thats why I support mentorship so strongly. I have to be gracious and thankful to God, my wife Jessica, my unconditionally supportive family who have always nurtured my creative and wild side. My brother Matt Brunson is a true inspiration, champion and collaborator. He is the first example of a “Creative ” person that I could relate to. We’re very close and he still works with me, guides and inspires me to this day. The state of my career wouldn’t be where it is without the support of my production & post company Side Chops & Partner/Senior Editor Shelby Miller. He & Gerald Jones give me the stable ground to really explore my creativity as a Director. I also have an army of crew-family as I call them that are also unconditionally supportive. Mark Haynes my Cinematographer, Rob Rigdon my 1st AD, right hand man and Swiss-Army creativeAlso Commercial Director Jordan Brady, who really helped me harness my professional skills. My final shoutouts have to go to AMP Creative Studios, The Abernethy’s & Ian Loomer are true champions. Alongside Michael Ciancio & Adrian Trent of 444 Camera & Electric Light & Power. Talk about risk takers, that group has taken some risks and really supported me. Finally the group of Directors in my town and community are fantastically supportive. We work together, I’ve even cast one of them. Its really encouraging to have so many people whose work you admire, be so supportive and helpful, so Jeremy Bartel, Chris Ruperet, Jonah Ingram, Isaac Murray, Andrew Ryan Sheppard & Adam Littke. Also I could literally just list names of people that I couldn’t work without. Brian Galyean, Codi Putman, Bil Arscott, Max Contreras, Eric Marsh, Jonathan Rudak, Lorene Herrera, Randi Rogers, LaDonna Stein, Kevin Sutton, Matt Bull, Bo Bartlett, Ryan Everrett, Jamie Squires, Ben Rucker, Dave Longfield and I just ran out of space.

Website: sidechops.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeharris.tv/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joethevisualist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeharris.tv