Meet TJ Harris | Film Producer, Actor, & Consultant

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

Hi TJ, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
It’s about building our own system where we can stay independent while partnering with the industry at the highest level. We are in the process of creating a sustainable pipeline that connects the grit of Chicago to the reach of Los Angeles, with the goal of owning sound stages, theaters, and production infrastructure. I have built up a unique mix of knowledge from my years in corporate consulting and the entertainment industry, and I want to bridge the gap between art and business for other artists, especially Black artists who have been left out of that conversation. By the end of my career, I want to leave behind a blueprint that uses money as a tool to create our own film economy that future generations can build from.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
TJ Harris: InstinctiVision Films is a Chicago-based boutique producing and consulting company I founded in 2021.

Not long after, it grew into a partnership with George’s company, Cottage Grove Productions. Together, we’ve been building a model that prioritizes creative control, business ownership, and long-term sustainability—especially for Black artists and other filmmakers who’ve often been left out of the business side of storytelling.

We operate in two lanes: producing select projects from the first spark of an idea all the way to a distribution-ready release, and providing high-level strategy consulting that helps filmmakers align their vision with market success—without needing a full in-house production team.

Between our combined production track record—two Gold Telly Awards, a Chicago/Midwest Regional Emmy nomination, and AMC+ distribution for Cottage Grove—and my background in global markets, talent valuation, and creative-friendly deal structures, we’ve created a space where artistry and commerce work in harmony.

George Ellzey Jr.:
I got where I am today by taking chances. I took a chance when I quit acting to start screenwriting and directing in 2015. I took a chance on seeking mentorship. A chance on applying to graduate film school. And honestly, if I hadn’t taken chances, I wouldn’t have connected with TJ in the first place.

TJ Harris:
That’s true. We first connected via an Instagram DM, and those messages turned into a creative partnership.

George Ellzey Jr.: Yep. If I didn’t send that message, we wouldn’t have produced Cottage Grove together or experienced the highs, lows, and wins that film brought us.

I’m also the first in my family to be a full-time artist. It’s lonely out here, ha ha, but what makes the challenges easier is surrounding yourself with the right people. People like TJ, our team—Jordan Rivers, Cara Winter, Keiph Oliver, Kat Blade, Van Wilson, Jaden Duenas—and our amazing film family. Folks I can trust completely.

That trust lets me take big risks in both art and business, because I know I have people who challenge me to grow as an artist and who believe in Cottage Grove Productions’ mission: to redefine Midwest storytelling with bold, inclusive, heartfelt, genre-bending stories in film and television.

TJ Harris:
And it’s that same trust that makes our partnership work; every risk is calculated, but also fearless.

George Ellzey Jr.: Exactly. Whether we fail or succeed, we take the lessons, apply them, and keep moving toward the next goal. Community and trust are what help you weather the storms of this business and what make diving into the deep waters of life worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
TJ Harris: We would start in Long Beach because it’s the only place I’ve lived since moving to LA, and it has truly become home. Then we’d head to Laguna Beach, because that’s paradise for me—I’d take them to the ocean cliffs, hike the hills, and soak in the views that always reset my spirit.

From there, we’d visit Inglewood for its amazing food scene, where every meal feels like family. I’m also a big sports fan, so if the timing worked out, we’d catch an LA Sparks game—season ticket holder here or head to the Rose Bowl for an unforgettable experience.

For me, showing someone around LA isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s about sharing the places that keep me grounded, inspired, and ready to keep building.

George Ellzey Jr.:
When I visited TJ this past May for a screening of one of my shorts, I stayed with him in Long Beach—and that trip sealed the deal that California is for me. I’m not abandoning Chicago just yet; we have more work and films to do, but there’s something about the ease of life, the coast, sunshine, and being outdoors that I love.

Bringing it back to Chicago, I’d take a friend to Bronzeville, Chinatown, and Pilsen. We’d hit spots like Spoke & Bird, Simone’s, and Bronzeville Winery. There are so many gems—especially past Roosevelt heading south—that showcase the cultural beauty of Black and Brown neighborhoods.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
DePaul University gave me the foundation to take myself seriously as an artist. It’s where George Ellzey Jr., the Writer & Director of Cottage Grove, and I first connected, and where I began learning how to merge my corporate skills with my creative instincts. I also credit the Chicago and Midwest filmmaking communities for shaping my grit and giving me the perspective to operate outside the traditional Hollywood model. My years in corporate consulting—especially in global markets and talent valuation—showed me how much artists need fairer, more transparent deal structures. Those experiences inspired my commitment to building creative-friendly agreements that protect filmmakers, honor their vision, and still make projects commercially viable. That blend of creative and business expertise is at the heart of InstinctiVision Films and everything we stand for.

Website: www.instinctivisionfilms.com

Instagram: @instinctivisionfilms | @cottagegroveproductions

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyharrisbissell/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeellzeyjr/

Facebook: @cottagegroveproductions

Other: Tik Tok: @cottagegroveproductions

Image Credits
Personal Photo:

Image #1 – On the set of Cottage Grove, August 2022. (TJ Harris – Producer/Actor, preparing for a scene) Additional Photos: Image #1 – On the set of Cottage Grove, August 2022. Left to right (George Ellzey Jr. – Director, TJ Harris – Producer/Actor )

Image #2 – Producers of Cottage Grove, October 2024 Micheaux Festival Q&A Panel. Left to right (Kat Blade-Owens, George Ellzey Jr. Cara Winter, TJ Harris)

Image #3 – Bond On Cinema interview, March 2025. Left to right (Ward Bond, George Ellzey Jr., TJ Harris)

Image #4 – The Theatre School at Depaul University, Los Angeles showcase panel, March 2025. Left to right (Jamar Gilbert, Kayla Raelle, Chanell Bell, TJ Harris, Casey Campbell)

Image #5 – Cast and crew on the set of Cottage Grove, watch playback, August 2022.

Image #6 – On the set of Cottage Grove, August 2022. Left to right (George Ellzey Jr., Jean Ho – 1st AC)