Meet Aric Grooms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aric Grooms.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
While I now call New York City home, I will always be an Ohio boy at heart! I was born and raised in Pike County in Central Southern Ohio. I was trained as an Evangelical Minister and spent the first part of my career as a pastor. Through a series of events, I now find myself living in New York City and married to a Jewish clergywoman. Together we are working to raise 4 amazing children.

I am a comedian, actor, and filmmaker. The coronavirus pandemic forced my career to focus on my filmmaking endeavors. My first feature film, MidLife has just finished a year-long festival circuit where it was accepted into 29 film festivals, receiving 34 total awards, including 5 best actor awards for myself. Our second film, God’s Will was filmed this summer, mostly on location in Ohio, and will begin screenings in early 2023.

I am the co-owner of Aric Films LLC which produces much of my own content for artists of various types. I’m also co-owner and CEO of Very Good Productions, a production company that puts together live events, specializing in storytelling and stand-up comedy shows.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not smooth at all.

I went through a divorce in 2011-12 while living and working in Huntington, West Virginia. It was a very difficult time for me, not to mention my lovely daughters and my ex-wife. During that time, I took a job in New York City, which involved a 600-mile move from my daughters who would relocate back to Ohio with their mother. I wasn’t sure what the future would hold. I figured I could always go back home if things didn’t work out.

I committed to seeing my daughters at least once each month, even though financially that was often difficult. But it stayed that way and still does to this day.

Fortunately, in early 2013, I met the woman who would later become my wife. She helped me put down roots in NYC while simultaneously helping me create a home there that my daughters would call their home as well.

I’m sure there are other obstacles I could mention; career, relationships, mental health, but nothing compares to the difficulties involved with being away from my children most of the time.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a storyteller; at least that’s how I present myself. I learned early in my career as a minister the power of a good parable and story. This comes through in my comedy performances and my film work. Whether humorous or dramatic, I love to create great characters who go through various ranges of emotions.

I’m most proud of the films we’ve created in the past 2-3 years. Not only because we got them completed but because of who helped me get them done and with the limited budget we had. Most film professionals guess that we spent 3 to 4 times on the films as we actually did.

I also love that I’ve shot my films with some amazing friends, both new and old. God’s Will was shot with the involvement of literally 5 of my best childhood friends. It’s a joy.

I think the fact that I actually get things done is what sets me apart from others doing what I’m doing. I hear a lot of people talking in my industry that don’t actually take the risks to get things done. I’m not faulting them; I’m just saying that there are literally hundreds of reasons that will come up to not make a movie. I’ve ignored most of those.

I think that’s what sets me apart.

What makes you happy?
My children and having all of them in the same room together. As they age, that gets harder and harder to make happen.

My wife is my best friend and she inspires me so much. Her influence and encouragement are invaluable. And because of her, we’re able to make a home that is happy and it is perfect when we’re all together.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aricgrooms.com
• Instagram: @aricfilms
• Facebook: @verygoodcomedyshow
• Twitter: @aricgrooms
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx9DI88DUkGLAnWTwJyWg2g

Image Credits
Aric Grooms, Matt Williams, and Louis Kent