After experiences as a rapper, fashion buyer, and music video producer, Jet Phynx is a sought-out Hollywood talent.
The Wilmington native entered the entertainment business as Parris Duncan but reemerged as Jet Phynx. Having worked with top names like Kanye West and becoming friends with Jeremy Scott, creative director for Moschino, Jet’s adaptability to the work he is asked to do and his ability to deliver high-level results keeps Hollywood calling.
But Jet believes Delaware is the next Hollywood, or as he calls it — “Delawood.” That’s why he based his studio, Jet Phynx Films, here. The Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival producer said that while the state has the talent and the location, he thinks there is still much work to be done to create the artistic vibe Hollywood wells from.
Delaware Online/The News Journal sat down with him in his Wilmington studio to get his take and his advice on how to get ready for your big break. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Question: What does Wilmington need in order to develop an art culture and support artists?
Jet Phynx: An ecosystem where creatives can find other creatives, connect, build on, be inspired by, have resources and be able to connect with others. Connecting to our creativity keeps you focused; that helps with the mental, that helps with the anxiety, depression, the mindset, the creativity. If I can get people to get in that zone all day long, they’re going to feel good about life. They’re going to find their purpose. They’ll feel fulfilled.
What have you learned about the people who reach out to you for career advice?
They’re looking for opportunity and they’re looking for some type of guidance. And that’s where I believe that’s where we come into place to show that it can be done and you don’t have to leave Delaware to do it. There’s opportunity, there’s money, there’s resources. You just have to know the right people to talk to.
What’s something someone with raw talent and passion needs to understand to make it in Hollywood?
Not everybody is ready for this level. The film world is filled with a lot of guys who went to film school. They do things by the book. They’re not focused so much on the creativity. Their mindset is more on the skill and the technology and the tools.
All of that comes with time and knowledge, and not having it is a lot more consequential for young Black creatives. Young Black creatives are super hot right now when it comes to shooting videos and picking up the camera, but none of them know any film terminology. None of them went to film school.
How does someone escape the pressure to conform?
Everything that society pushes at the young Black man is used against him to tell him that he has to be a certain way and he can only do certain things. If he wants to be a celebrity, he has to make music this way. He has to do it this way.
We use these pillars to help us maintain focus and avoid being misled:
- Identity – If you want to be successful in life, know who you are.
- Knowledge of self – Have an understanding of your history, the things that have gone on in your life and why that makes you the person that you are
- Potential – What skills do you have? How ambitious are you? Are you disciplined?
You know you’re going in the right direction because you will be led to your purpose from here. Once you start acting on your purpose, you start making moves, you start meeting people. Things will start to come easy now because you’re aligned to conform to your destiny. Your destiny is already written for you.
Why do you want to inspire kids?
What I do is so attractive to them, more so than any of the other career paths presented to them because the youth want to be famous. They want to be around famous people. They want to be around money.
In addition to video, audio and film production, Jet Phynx Films provides creative direction, social media, photography, live streaming and set design services. The production company will hold its second Dirty Popcorn Film Festival later this year.
Reporter Anitra Johnson’s work focuses on individuals and organizations working to change, improve, and give back to communities. Contact her at ajohnson@delawareonline.com or 302-379-5786 with tips and story ideas. Follow her on her Facebook page.
