Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Chambless
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started working in entertainment as an intern at a record label after my sophomore year of college. I guess I did an ok job, because they offered me a job working part time in their radio department for my last 2 years of school. When I graduated, that record label was about to go out of business and couldn’t offer me a full time job. But they helped me get an assistant job at a different label across town. I worked in the marketing department there for 4 years, before deciding I wanted to try something different. The three years I was gone from the label were hard. I realized how special of a place it was and how few people got to work in entertainment. I wanted back in! The label I had been at expanded to include a film department, and when they had a job opening, I eagerly took it. I have worked in the film business for 10 years since then!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Every career meets challenges along the way, particularly if you are trying to move in an upward direction. I have always wanted to hold a leadership position, and I was fortunate to continually gain promotions throughout my early career. Having kids is a challenge that definitely can slow your career growth as a woman. That is a hard reality. I chose early in my 2nd child’s life to turn down opportunities for growth because I was in a very challenging season with my young kids, and I did not feel equipped to manage change and growth during that time. I made that decision in order to maximize my mental and physical health. And I have no regrets about that. It’s a myth that you can ‘do it all’. No one can. There are only so many hours in the day, and it’s important to figure out what your priorities are in whatever season of life you’re in at the moment. And remember it’s only a season. Things constantly change and evolve.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in development and production in the faith film industry. That means the majority of my time is spent meeting with filmmakers, reading scripts, analyzing budgets and pitch decks, trying to find the next project for our company to invest in. We invest at all different stages of a project, in many different ways. So it’s a lot of gut instinct, relying on my historical knowledge of the business, and sourcing through material to decide if this particular opportunity is the next best one for our studio. Saying yes to one project might mean saying no to another great project.
What makes you happy?
Getting to be creative in some way. Sometimes that’s at work, obviously. I work in the entertainment industry, so much of what I touch allows me to be creative. But I also love to get to create in my personal life. This can look like decorating my home, planning a party, making a cake for my child’s birthday, painting a picture, or building Lego with my kids.
Contact Info:
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10101516/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_in_0_q_ashley%2520chambless
