We had the good fortune of connecting with James Jurewicz and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi James, why did you pursue a creative career?
Writing has always been one of my strengths when it comes to academia. I am also an avid reader and cinema buff. Filmmaking has been a longtime dream of mine and occupied most of my high school years. With writing as a baseline, I feel that I can access various parts of the artistic/creative fields.
My late father got me a Tim Cahill book when I was younger. As editor of Outside magazine, Cahill wrote travel adventure stories written in a beautiful style that conveyed palpable imagery. Reading his whole library, I realized that creative writing is what I want to do with my life.
When reading, listening, or watching media I love, I also become drawn to the creative flame. This is a fire I cannot put out unless I am also producing something others can love all the same. Creative arts provide endless inspiration.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Writing- My writing is the accomplishment that I am most proud of and grateful for. I wrote for the University of Houston-Downtown Newspaper The Dateline and mainly contributed film reviews but also covered many topics like local events or school functions. Over 117 of my own articles were published by The Dateline from January 2020 until my graduation in December 2023.
I am now a graduate student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake where I am studying Digital Media in the Master’s program. I intend to focus on writing and filmmaking during my time there. Writing a nonfiction book, a fiction book/novel, and a book of short stories is one of my goals that I will accomplish in my life.
Broadcasting/Podcasting- Got my start in Broadcasting in Broadcast Journalism in High School which I lettered in. I was head anchor during my senior year in high school. When it came time for college, I knew Journalism was the only field of study for me.
Although I thought about pursuing my dream of becoming an actor, I always really wanted to write my own material that I could also act/appear in. Journalism was the safe field of study that could afford me both time in front of and behind the camera.
After completing an internet radio internship at UH Downtown, I paired up with a friend and fellow UHD radio alumni Jomyrin for our show J&J Sports where we analyze various sports which we post on the YouTube. I have written for and appeared in over 262 YouTube videos and counting, y’all please tune in and remember to like and subscribe!
I also have my own growing channel on the YouTube called J0keyJames(https://www.youtube.com/@j0keyjames) which mainly has video film reviews, so please tune in to that channel also!
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.
Houston Zoo, Cinemark/Star Cinema Grill and Baybrook Mall are some of the best places to visit in the Houston area. The Zoo is world class and Baybrook Mall has everything you could want or need, and also has fantastic places to eat with a plethora of choices.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My brother was an inspiration for me to continue my education in the form of a Digital Media Graduate program. We were chatting on the phone, and he was asking me why I was not already working in/with or around film. I was producing movie reviews that were published in the UHD newspaper although it was time for me to get behind the camera.
My mother Linda and best friend and confidant Adam also pushed me to pursue my master’s at UHCL (University of Houston Clear Lake). Both can be credited with supporting my dream.
As for my inspirations, there are many people that I look up to. Some of them include; Christian Bale, Steve-O, Tim Cahill (Writer), Harland Williams, Kenny Hotz, Eli Roth, Gucci Mane, Clive barker, Dak Prescott, Three 6 Mafia, Dave Attell, Adam Ray, Clive Barker, Mike Fisher, the Dallas Cowboys organization, and finally Priscilla Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp.
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/jamesjportfolio/home
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j0keyjames/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-jurewicz-92046123a/
Twitter: https://x.com/JamesRJurewicz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.jurewicz.7
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-X3jxrJWU9VpvlN94nYroQ
Image Credits
Image Credits: James Jurewicz