Meet Jabari Jefferson | Executive Producer & Director of Photography

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

Hi Jabari, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process for starting my own business was that I completely dreaded working for someone. I’m an empath and an introvert. My emotions flow like waves, and I sometimes prefer to be alone. However, working for someone or a company that was not aware or considerate of who I am and how I operate would burden my performance as an employee.

I graduated from Delaware State University in 2018 and have worked for myself since then. However, I have no aspiration to work for anyone unless I sincerely feel that my value is seen and appreciated. Until then, I have vowed to stay committed to my video production company, Mass Comm Guru, and invest all my energy into its continued development.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am the Executive Producer at Mass Comm Guru, a full-service video production company based in the Washington Metropolitan area. Besides, I also serve as a Director of Photography. Our company specializes in commercials and documentaries, but my role as a creative individual is not confined to these two areas.

My path to this point was far from direct. Due to the scarcity of collaborative opportunities in college, I was forced into a reclusive lifestyle as an artist. As a result, I often faced resistance or even disdain from my fellow students. During that time, a particular creative on campus (who will remain nameless) was widely celebrated and respected; his work has been deemed the benchmark for photo and video excellence at my alma mater. I saw this as motivation, propelled by my desire to achieve a similar level of recognition.

An incident occurred that significantly impacted my approach to collaboration. I was covering an event, specifically a probate, and needed to establish a good filming position in our gymnasium. Regrettably, my client hadn’t offered guidance on accessing the gymnasium before the crowd. As a result, the entrance line extended nearly around the entire building, jeopardizing my ability to secure an optimal recording spot for my client’s walkthrough with the other neophytes.

At that critical moment, I noticed the esteemed creative (who remains nameless) in the distance. Hoping he could help, I stepped out of line to approach him. But unfortunately, despite my continuous efforts to get his attention, he disregarded me and chose to enter the venue through the back entrance. This experience left me disappointed and disheartened, and for a while, it instilled in me a fear of collaboration and anticipating rejection.

Without my knowledge, I carried the scars from that and other encounters into subsequent collaborative environments, notably with my colleague Eric Wright Jr, my creative partner and regular collaborator. We often had disagreements over creative decisions. I typically took on the roles of Executive Producer and Production Coordinator for the video marketing projects we secured while he served as Creative Director and Post-Production Manager. I confess that I was quite the micromanager back then, making Eric’s job difficult. Although I trusted him and knew he was competent in executing our creative ideas and meeting client satisfaction, I constantly desired control, wishing certain things to be done my way. Being supportive and patient, Eric made me understand that I had undefined expectations. I anticipated things to be done as I preferred without expressing them to Eric. After several missteps on projects, I realized I was stifling our creative output.

These days, Eric and I collaborate less frequently. Our last significant project was in 2022 with Children’s National Hospital, where we created a comprehensive web video for their Cochlear Implant department, highlighting the beautiful advancements and initiatives within the department. The project took six months to complete. This project was a pivotal moment in my career; I understood there had to be a more straightforward and effective way of collaborating with others. In the Fall of 2022, I suffered significant burnout from handling numerous freelance gigs solo. During this period, I frequently vented on Instagram, sharing my challenges with my online community. I specifically mentioned my need for a team. Since then, I have been striving to become a better communicator, articulator, collaborator, and overall person.

My emphasis on community and impact sets me apart from other creatives. I consistently seek ways to foster an inclusive, innovative, and authentic creative environment. As a result, I gravitate towards individuals who are passionate about their craft, willing to express themselves, and open to constructive feedback. I also have a talent for recognizing outstanding individuals within the video production industry, from Cinematographers to Gaffers, Assistant Cameras, Producers, Directors, etc.

Reaching this point was not an easy journey. I had to realize how I was obstructing my progress, including fear, desperation, and adopting a scarcity mindset. I am incredibly grateful that I sought support for my mental wellness journey early in my career. Being a creative entrepreneur is indeed a daunting and intimidating profession. For one, our industry is saturated with countless creatives aspiring for the same level of success, whether it’s monetary, fame, peer recognition, or winning esteemed awards for their achievements. This is not even considering the surge of Artificial Intelligence, which is likely to take most if not all, creative jobs in the not-so-distant future.

Despite these challenges, I adapt. As a constant reminder, I have the word “adapt” tattooed on my forearm. Adaptation is a necessity in life, and I’ve been doing it throughout my life. I create because it invigorates me. I feel genuinely alive behind a camera; creativity is the only thing I excel at. And with each passing day, I am improving.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend visits me in my hometown of Washington, D.C., I will tailor their experience based on their personality and interests. I believe it’s essential to find common ground with my friends, and fortunately, many of them share my preference for a relaxed and leisurely pace. So, while I won’t reveal all my hidden gems, I would gladly share experiences I would present.

I would start our day around noon, following a great lunch spot. From there, we would embark on a DC-related excursion, such as exploring the National Mall or venturing into one of the city’s eclectic neighborhoods. Furthermore, I love taking advantage of opportunities when friends visit to try something new or see a place I haven’t experienced before. It adds an element of excitement for both of us. Since most of my friends are local artists, I would suggest visiting one of their exhibits or attending a networking event related to the artistic community. It would be an excellent way to introduce my visiting friend to my interests and showcase the vibrant arts scene in D.C.

As the day transitions into the evening, we would immerse ourselves in the nightlife of D.C. Ideally; we would explore downtown or uptown areas, visiting venues and activities that show the city’s unique culture. Allowing folks to see D.C.’s vibrant culture is a big goal, and I aim to do so while it’s still alive and well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shoutout to my colleague, Eric Wright Jr., for being a great friend, peer mentor, and business partner. When we both started our careers upon graduating in 2018, we faced a lack of support from fellow creatives in our industry. Together, we experienced tremendous growth as content creators. We spent countless hours strategizing our businesses, optimizing our sales approaches, and empowering and critiquing each other in a way that shaped us into the creative individuals and successful business people we are today.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the support from Eric.

Website: masscommguruproductions.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/masscommguruprod/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jabari-jefferson/

Image Credits
Raba Abro Chantal “Telly” Evans Vincent “Dvzie” Ononogbo Daniel Sanchez