Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Jennison.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My father bought his first Dry Cleaners in 1978, when I was a Junior in High School. I joined a work program and began working afternoons at the cleaners. Russell Cleaners was built in 1942 in Hapeville, Ga. Four years later, just a few blocks away, Truett Cathy opened the Dwarf Grill. Now known as the Dwarf House and the first of many Chick-fil-A restaurants.
Hapeville was a thriving town, until the early 80’s, when the airport moved to College Park. The city is just now beginning to show signs of life after the economic devastation suffered. However, it was soon after airport move that I bought Russell Cleaners from my father at age 23. Year to year the business dropped 30% in the wake of the closure.
It was my job to build it back. And that’s we did, surpassing historic numbers with quality customer service. Offered pick-up and delivery, restored old discolored gowns and became good as a spotter-cleaner. Thanks to an elder black man named John. He took me under his wing and taught me about wet and dry chemicals. And the art of cleaning different fabrics.
During this time, I began volunteering with the television department at my church. A few years later I decided to get out of the cleaning business and pursue a career in film and tv. It was in my blood, so I began my quest.
Today, 30 years later, returned to Hapeville to open a film and photo studio just around the corner from the old Dry Cleaners. My film experience seems a good fit for the marketing needs of the area. And it’s time for me to pivot back to my business background, and away from the up and down of freelance tv production and indie film-making.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road for an independent filmmaker is never smooth. That is, if you find a road.
Seldom even a path. Only the vision that drives you to your destination.
I drove 100k miles between Atlanta and Mississippi to produce my blues films, in a race against the clock. I was working to preserve a dying culture. The Blues in Mississippi are known around the world for their influence. We captured the music, stories and folklore, as told by the elders that actually lived the blues.
Think this experience and the wisdom these elders shared is one reason I was able to stay dedicated learning to endure my own blues. During the 14 years it took to finish the films their wisdom seemed to ring in my ears. The blues of a self-funded project that become more of an obsession. Looking back though I try and only remember the lessons learned on the bumpy road and cherish the experiences my path led.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Airportcity Studio – what should we know?
Airportcity Studio is a community minded Film Studio and Destination Marketing Organization that specializes in content creation. Our film and photo studio is in an old house originally owned by a one-legged school teacher here in Hapeville.
Three years ago, I learned of an initiative that spans the globe.
An Aerotropolis is defined as an Airport City and is gaining interest from many international airports around the world. Especially here in Atlanta.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is still the busiest and most efficient airport in the world. It employs more people than any other employer in Georgia. Yet the small cities that surround the airport struggle economically, while living in anonymity.
Our mission is to brand the region of the Aerotropolis, as an Airportcity, by creating a web based marketing platform for the surrounding 11 cites to coalesce. Serving air travelers, citizens and municipalities with a Smart City App and Web Network, while helping tourists, and business travelers, find their way in ATL.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Such a good question. So many to thank, but first would have to thank my mother. She has been a Rock, a shoulder, a friend, and now, a business partner in the Airportcity venture. I would be nothing without her influence, prayers and patience.
Otha Turner was 92 when we met on his farm in northern Mississippi. His wisdom surpassed his third grade education and he inspired me to finish what I began.
No matter the cost.
Morgan Freeman for believing in an independent filmmaker and agreeing to be in my film. His wisdom was apparent immediately, so was his love for the blues. An A-list Star in an independent film explains largely why my film has now reached international distribution.
Super Chikan took me under his wing (so to speak) in 2001, when I began the blues film, at his house in Clarksdale, Ms. He’s known all around the world, except in his own backyard. A close friend to this day. Cheers Chikan… a glass of ‘rooster juice’ we will share soon enough.
So many others… thank you to you all. You know who you are.
Pricing:
- $99.00 Studio Photo session – one hour (headshots, fashion, potrait)
Contact Info:
- Address: Airportcity Studio
781 N. Central Ave.,
Hapeville 30354 - Website: www.airportcitystudio.com
- Email: airportcitystudio@gmail.com
- Twitter: @mrairportcity
- Other: www.airportcityatlanta.com www.echoescrossthetrack.com
Image Credit:
A few screen shots of “Echoes ‘cross the Tracks Blues film… including Morgan Freeman, Otha Turner, Super Chikan and film title page. Shot of exterior of Airportcity Studio and a group picture in 2001… L-R Bill Luckett, Scott Jennison, Super Chikan, Morgan Freeman, with Pesky Al and Gerald Henderson part of my crew. Also, one of my Emmy’s sitting atop a piano in my studio and a pic of the Halloween party in ’16 that we had for at-risk-youth in the area.
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
