Tim Jeffreys On His New Full Length Feature Documentary About Ryan Hall
With a very exciting new project at hand keeping Tim very busy, it is safe to say he’s a prime example of the artistic expression a number of New Yorkers possess.
Words, BOND OFFICIAL Staff
Photography, Daniel D’Ottavio
The second episode of How He Does It season 1 features Tim Jeffreys in discussion with our Art Director, Marcus V. Richardson. Tim walks into the Stereotype studio for the recording with a smile that exudes joy and is contagious. Not even five minutes in the room and his calm demeanor has set the mood for two friends who were set to catch up over coffee for a couple of minutes.
Immediately, there’s a bit of banter over the realization we both attended the same university in South Carolina and just like that, we hopped right in.
Tim has always been a fan of New York City even before making the big move. “After South Carolina, I moved to Arizona for a couple of years, then back to South Carolina but I always had this allure about New York.” he shares. “I feel like New York City is the place the best people in the world go to figure out if they are actually the best people in the world and I knew I had to try it. I moved up in 2014 with two bags and no job - I met a roommate on craigslist and I’ve been here ever since.”
Quite the tremendous decision for a man who is currently acting as the Marketing Director at one of the city’s most prominent influencer agencies, Fohr.
“The CEO of Fohr is James Nord who is a photographer and bike rider and I started following him on tumblr. So, I’m following him on tumblr and seeing these beautiful images he’s taking while he’s cycling. As a runner, I was intrigued by how someone cycles at a high level in New York.”
He continues, “James started posting more about this business he started called Fohr. I sent in my application and now I’ve been there 3(1/2) years.”
Aligning with a startup like Fohr at the time seemed to be a match made in heaven since Tim had prior experience. “I love the act of writing, so when I first moved to New York, I started practicing calligraphy. I started working with this notebook company and we produced high quality designed notebooks made in the United States.” He says, “I did everything for them. From selling, to social, to trade shows. It got me into the start up culture in New York and taught me how to wear multiple hats. From there, I was a freelance photographer and videographer before starting at Fohr”.
With a very exciting new project at hand keeping Tim very busy, it is safe to say he’s a prime example of the artistic expression a number of New Yorkers possess.
Focusing on U.S marathon runner, Ryan Hall, Tim’s new full length feature film is currently showing at select venues and on select dates. As it pertains to finding his place as a filmmaker and being conscious enough to tell the most realistic story possible, Tim had a handful to say about the process. Ryan Hall, a U.S record holder in the half marathon is no small subject.
“As a dreamer, I asked myself, what’s the most ridiculous, ostentatious, crazy project I can take on? For me, it was documenting Ryan Hall as he got ready for the olympics.” he further explains, “Ryan Hall was trendsetting the sport of running. He was in commercials with Ryan Reynolds, and generally, he was bigger than the sport of running. I just knew I wanted to tell his story.”
Originally intended to film for 8 months, it just so happened that in the mist of what was supposed to be Ryan’s conquest, he happened to experience his worst performance ever. Would he overcome or would he fall short?
On his own conquest to document the reality, Tim kept filming for 4 years. “I like to complete tasks” he says. “I hate the word pending but my north star was telling the best story possible. So yeah, three and a half years longer than I thought but we ended up telling a story of finding joy in your life despite things going wrong around you”.
