Meet Josiah Persad | Filmmaker & Creative Director

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

Hi Josiah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started Twin Island Company, a creative film production company based in Atlanta, GA, in January 2020 with my best friend, Rachael Ramchand. Since then we’ve produced over 30 industry level music videos and commercials which have streamed worldwide, amounting to more than 20 million views. We’ve worked with artists such as Saint Jhn, Juicy J, DJ Paul, Prince Swanny, Nessa Preppy, Destra Garcia, Kalpee, Jimmy October, and many more. We’ve also managed to connect with other creatives around the world, giving them work opportunities in the company.

Instead of being a freelance director/filmmaker, which I’ve done for the past 8 years, we decided that it would be better to start a production company where we could hire and manage other crew members – allowing us to take on more large scale projects. We’ve also recently expanded our company to an equipment rental house with lighting, drones, cameras, and more accessories available to help others create.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up in the islands of Trinidad & Tobago where I developed my interest and love for creative storytelling. As a child, I was fascinated with the natural wonders and beauty of my islands: lush landscapes, serene seascapes, floral and fauna, tropical rainforests, and fiery sunsets – There was never a shortage of  interesting subjects to shoot with my camera. Being raised Trinbagonian also meant that I lived engulfed in a cosmopolitan environment, rich in diverse cultures, heritage and history; a place where many races and ethnicities merge and co/exist. This is where my inspiration to create came from – I grew up surrounded by art.

As I got older I wanted to make digital storytelling a career, but I was challenged with limited resources to learn film/photography in the Caribbean – so I was compelled to teach myself via online tutorials and by my own experimenting. I had to rely on my own drive to learn. To earn money for more equipment and upgrades I started up a small business doing freelance photography, videography, and graphic design. This took off well and allowed me to gain considerable work ethics; from dealing with clients, understanding their visions, time and financial management and networking with other professionals on projects. It was not easy especially having to meet harsh deadlines, long hours and sleepless nights. I was definitely being prepared for the industry in the future. This early work experience certainly serves me in good stead today, especially during the last 4 years when I met major demands of managing full time college and full time work; To further my professional learning, I migrated to Atlanta in 2018 where I completed my B.F.A. in Film & Television at Savannah College of Art & Design. Today, I work on directing and producing many large production music videos, films, and commercials.

Wherever projects I work on or wherever I may go in the future, I aim to proudly represent Trinidad & Tobago and make the islands proud.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d definitely take this opportunity to thank my parents – Hannah and Kashi Persad. They’ve made many sacrifices to get me to where I am today, and I owe all my future success to them.

Website: www.josiahpersadfilms.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/josiahpersadfilms

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahpersad

Other: http://www.twinislandcompany.com