Now in its fourth year, the Black Music Coalition’s Excellence Honourees initiative recognises emerging talent changing the industry. Here, we meet Chris Chance, CEO & Director, Single Channel Films...
PHOTO: CALVIN CEILE
How did you first break into the music industry?
“My cousin Aaron Attille was a mentor to me when I first started out and barely knew how a camera worked. My entry point into the music industry was during my time studying post production at Ravensbourne University. I knew local musicians and started to shoot and edit music videos for them to gain experience and improve my knowledge of the craft. After leaving university, I had a respectable portfolio of work on YouTube and a growing profile in the industry as a visual creative. I spent the next few years as a producer and director within corporate spaces working at MTV and Sony Music, during which time I worked alongside creatives such as Neron Power, Mark Tintner and Laurence Warder.”
You launched your own production company after working in-house at bigger companies – what made you take the plunge?
“The experience and industry knowledge I gained from working for those companies is invaluable. I moved on to figure out what I wanted for my own career and, after deep introspection, I decided that I wanted to build my own brand.”
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far and how did you overcome it?
“Finding a core team of professionals who trust and support my vision for Single Channel Films was something that didn’t come instantly, but having a track record of successful collaborations and leaning into the network that I’d built from previous projects was something that proved useful. Maintaining patience and trusting the process is another key one; I’m Christian so prayer and my faith definitely helps.”
I want to positively affect the career trajectories of creatives at early stages in their professional journeys
Chris Chance
And what’s been your proudest moment so far?
“One of my proudest moments has been seeing the international acclaim and recognition that has come from the work we’ve been doing with Kwn on her music videos and creative direction. Carlyn Calder, who heads up Vibeout, has worked with us since I set up Single Channel in 2024, so seeing how well received Kwn’s recent With All Due Respect campaign was has been really special. What that campaign has done in terms of visibility and career opportunities for all the crew involved has also been very satisfying for me to witness.”
The BMC has done a lot of work around eradicating discrimination and building an equal industry, can you sum up the organisation’s impact from a personal perspective?
“The work being done by the BMC is truly necessary. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Black professionals in the industry. On a personal level, the BMC has positively impacted my awareness of Black professionals and enhanced my network.”
How do you hope the industry changes in the coming years?
“I hope to see more Black and brown change-making personnel in leading positions. As for the individuals who are already in those groundbreaking positions, I’d like to see them continue to pay it forward to the next generation, helping to expand our presence and diversify the ways in which we as innovators and entrepreneurs are able to contribute and benefit from our commitment to the industry.”
What’s your ultimate ambition for your own career?
“To be able to positively affect the career trajectories of creatives at early stages in their professional journeys. I want to do this by maintaining a position where I’m able to build partnerships across the media industry, create opportunities and inspire others.”
