Keep Knocking on Doors

Willie Giles

By La’Trish Mack
 
Willie Giles, producer and owner of Picture Perfect Production and Editorial company, worked in some capacity as a producer most of his life. When he was a young boy, living in Winston Salem, NC, he started working to develop his interest in creating films. His desire to create and tell stories through film later catapulted him into becoming an award winning music video production editor, with three of his music videos on the top 10 list of MTV Jams in the 90’s. After this success Giles knew that he had officially built his name as a respected professional in the industry. “I was doing so many videos that I didn’t even know if they were hits or not, until people would tell me,” said Giles.
 
Giles’ voice ignited with excitement as he spoke about a few of his favorite people he had the pleasure of working with on set. “I love Shaq, he was great to work with.” Billie Crystal, Anthony Anderson, Boris Kodjoe, Cedric the Entertainer, and Jimmy Carter are a few others Giles has enjoyed working with along with Usher Raymond, Brandy, CeeLo Green, Jennifer Hudson and many more. Giles explained how close knit the business of entertainment is, “I have mentored people and worked with people and they’ve hired me to do jobs later on in life. When people trust you in this business they come back and keep working with you, said Giles.”
 
The start of Giles’ career begin with his first job as a radio announcer, then he later got into broadcasting at a television station.  This lead to working at different production companies in Atlanta, where he worked on the set of music videos and was offered the opportunity to be a producer on the Soul Train Awards from 2009 until 2013.
 
When asked what saved Giles from giving up on his dreams he responded, “I refused to have any roadblocks; if a door closed I would walk into a different door. I think that everything we do, leads us to this point, you know, where we are, right now, at this moment.” He went on to further explain that the universe has a way of molding you into the person you were created to be, even when doors are closed in your face.
 
While continuing to craft his skills, Giles was fortunate enough to meet some genuine individuals.  “I did work with a couple of people that really kind of nurtured me and helped me; older guys who are no longer here with us,” said Giles.  One of the guys who Giles worked with told him that he would teach him everything he knew, but Giles would have to promise to pass on the knowledge to the younger generation. Giles has stayed true to his promise and continues to give younger kids opportunities.
 
There are several people that have inspired Giles, throughout his career journey and his wife is one of those people. “It’s something that she does that makes me want to be a better person. She comes from a background of working with special needs kids and I saw something special in that. There are people out there who are doing great things other than on TV, who are just as important” said Giles.  After expressing his feelings about his lovely wife, Giles shared that God places boosters in our life or people who inspire us to keep going during specific moments in our lives and in addition to his wife; these people have also inspired him to keep going.
 
Some advice that Giles would give to an aspiring producer, is to not turn around, but to continue knocking on those doors and if someone turns you down, don’t give up. Don’t take things personal when you are told no, you just haven’t knocked on the right door.

Select HERE to view Giles' productions.
If you are looking for a great team of professionals to shoot your next video production, visit Giles' company website pppne.com.

Other Credits:
Giles was the creative editorial on the following music videos:
Usher's "Nice and Slow"  
Brandy's "I Wanna be Down" 
Montel Jordan's "This is How we Do It"

Check out more of Giles credits here: IMDB Credits

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Giles and the many people he's worked with.