A veteran entertainment industry executive, James DuBose is a successful television producer and filmmaker. He has worked in the industry since 1996 and as such has seen various transformations and has witnessed the industry overcome a variety of challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the entertainment industry, as well as many others. What’s more, it has caused a lot of stress, fear, and panic for individuals and has impacted everyone in one way or another. Having suffered from depression himself in the past, Mr. DuBose is concerned for the mental health and wellbeing of others during this challenging time.
James DuBose attended Wake Forest University on a football scholarship, an offer that is extended to less than 3% of first year applicants. He made a name for himself as a defensive lineman on the football team and earned a degree in Broadcast Communications. To this day, Mr. DuBose continues to visit the school to engage students through inspiring presentations focusing on success.
In 2006, James DuBose launched DuBose Entertainment in 2006 and through it has produced several docu-dramas, feature films, and scripted television shows with several distribution partners. James DuBose is also the head of programming and executive producer of Fox Soul for Fox Broadcasting Company.
How has COVID-19 affected your work?
Understandably, the entire entertainment industry has essentially come to a halt. No shows, movies, or other productions are being filmed at this time just because it’s unsafe to do so. While this is challenging, I believe it creates opportunity as well. It’s given me and my team the added time to be more creative and come up with new ideas for future productions. As well, you can see in the entertainment industry how some projects can be rushed, which can result in lower quality content. There is now more time to perfect projects outside of the filming process. There is more time to edit and write. While I do know that there will be a lack of content within the next six months to a year while projects are on hold, I believe that the content released after the pandemic will be very strong.
What has been your biggest concern during the pandemic?
I have been worried about others’ mental health during this time. The lockdowns, economic fallout, and overall uncertainty can put a lot of strain on people and cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and depression. People that already suffered from these issues may be having a worse time now and others who may have never really thought about their mental health before maybe having new feelings and emotions that they are unsure how to deal with.
How should others care for their mental health during this time?
I think the first step is to just acknowledge when you are experiencing troubles with emotions like anxiety, stress, depression, etcetera. There is nothing wrong with experiencing these feelings and you should realize that it is okay to feel the way you do. You don’t need to validate your emotions to anyone. No one is going to be upset with you for feeling anxious or fearful, especially since so many others feel these emotions on a daily basis. Also, you need to recognize if these emotions are completely taking over you to the point where you can’t function as you normally would. If that happens, you should consider seeking help. Some may feel uncomfortable seeking help, but it is important to remember that mental health professionals exist for this exact reason.
What tips do you have for others to overcome depression?
As I suffered from depression myself in the past, I understand how debilitating it can be. When I suffered from it, I realized that rather than letting myself feel my emotions, I filled the void by making myself busy. In a sense, I had blinders on to the issue. The most important thing is to realize that it’s there and then try to analyze why you feel the way you do. At that point, I think you are more prepared to seek out a trusted and experienced mental health professional to help teach out coping mechanisms to overcome it.
How should others manage stress during this challenging time?
For some of us, while it might feel like all we have is time, we might be using this time in the wrong way. There have been a lot of posts on social media and the internet shaming people if they aren’t using time productively, so this can cause some guilt. I would say that stress appears at any time, and undoubtedly this situation has caused a lot of stress for a variety of reasons. No matter what, you need to take time for yourself. This is the time to slow down and find out what works for you. Some people manage stress through exercise, meditation, journaling, reading, or even just watching television without worrying about wasting time. These tactics are important. There is no excuse not to take time for yourself. If you burn out due to stress, you’re not useful to anyone.
How do we as a society overcome the mental health stigma?
I think the most important thing is just for people to be aware of the stigma and recognize that we all suffer from mental health issues from time to time. Once you normalize it, you talk about it more and the stigma would decrease.
What positive aspects do you think will come from the pandemic?
More than anything, people are spending more time with their immediate families and are picking up new, healthy hobbies like cooking a meal at home, exercising, or gardening. These are things that people might continue to do when the pandemic is over. As well, I think the pandemic has taught others that it is okay to slow down. We always are on a seemingly endless hamster wheel, making our schedules too full and neglecting our own wellbeing or our family. It is important to slow down and realize that you don’t have to be in a rush all the time. I believe more people have realized this and will change their behavior in the future.
