Today we’d like to introduce you to Holt Ingalls.
Holt, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My interest in videography and editing began around 2016 while I was enrolled at Auburn University. In 2017, I took out a personal loan to get PC parts to build an editing computer so I could properly edit the videos I was capturing with a friend’s camera. Most of the projects I was working on at the time were my own personal projects, such as YouTube and Instagram videos, but soon people realized I had the capability to film and edit. People would offer me $50 here and there to edit their YouTube and IG videos and I was ecstatic. I was getting paid for what I would have done for free. I am originally from Auburn, AL so I used my connections and resources to slowly gain attention and clients. In a small town, word travels fast. At the time my mom was just getting her feet wet with real estate but her marketing skills were already far beyond any other agents in town. We started working together and she offered to buy me a drone in exchange for my services and the rest was history. Once I got skilled with a drone, clients started rolling in and my production value on my videos skyrocketed. I was already fairly good at editing so I was able to offer everything from pre-production to post-production. My mom’s content became 2nd to none (although her personality did most of the work, she currently has over 1 million followers on tik tok and I had nothing to do with that success) and I was taking on more work than I bargained for. In 2018 I realized that this was becoming a legit business so I got my business license and LLC. I dropped out of college (I don’t recommend this) in order to take this business to the next level. I rented out an office space in Opelika, AL and started hiring employees without any clue on how to set up payroll or what a W-9 even was. Needless to say, I was in over my head and within about a year I was burnt out and ended up parting ways with everyone including my office space. I took a step back in 2019 and reevaluated my goals and ambitions. I realized that my ambition for money and business superseded my love for cinematography and film and that was a problem. On January 1st, 2020 I moved to Atlanta, GA to pursue my dream of becoming a legitimate filmmaker and possibly a director. I had only one client in ATL at the time but I began marketing myself heavily in order to pick up more business and then the unthinkable happened, Covid hit in March after 3 months of living in Atlanta. The world stopped and so did my business for a short time. For about a month I was thinking I may have to change my career path (I never lost hope but being a businessman, I didn’t like seeing my bank account being depleted) but I slowly started receiving call after call from clients. Everyone needed virtual content for their business and the pandemic actually ended up helping those in the video production/promotional industry. PPP loans were offered to small businesses as well and they were extremely easy to apply and qualify for. Free money from the government is hard to turn down, but then again nothing is ever truly free. During 2020 my business grew and so did my knowledge and skills as a filmmaker and a business owner. I became particularly good at flying drones, specifically fpv drones (racing drones). That became my main marketing tactic on social media and people seemed to love it. I’ve flown for big-name artists such as Lil Baby, Lil Boosie, and Offset and I have flown for companies/organizations such as NBC, Cox Enterprises, Flock Safety, Auburn University, and many more. I learned from my past mistakes and started to contract out work instead of hiring full time. I began to meet other people in the film industry who taught me how to do things properly and with those connections my knowledge and skill grew even more. Currently, in 2021, I live in Brookhaven, GA and I run HI Productions out of a spare bedroom in my house which I turned into an office. My move to ATL proved to be a smart decision. I have taken on many awesome projects where my storytelling and filmmaking skills have been tried and tested. My aspirations of becoming a director are becoming more of a reality rather than just a mere dream.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle for me wasn’t covid, finances, or motivation (motivation should never play much part in business ventures in the first place, discipline should be the key ingredient), it was actually compartmentalizing my creative thinking with my analytical thinking. Every day I had to be a business owner and a creative which for me was difficult at times. I often let my love for tangible progress over-power my love for film and creating. I saw my business grow and for a time that was all I needed but eventually, I forgot why I was doing what I was doing. My work suffered because being an artist wasn’t a priority and I didn’t spend enough time learning the craft. I burnt out rather quickly in the beginning because I lost my way and my vision was blurry. I had no goals other than to make money and that isn’t a recipe for success. I was impatient and unclear. It wasn’t until I took some time away and stepped away from my business for a bit to see where I went wrong. I was able to create a clearer more fulfilling vision for myself and for HI Productions.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer video production services to the surrounding areas of ATL and often travel to clients all over the country. From pre-production to post-production, we offer it all. I like having my hand in the entire production process so if I am able to help a client from the genesis of the project, that is ideal. I love writing scripts and storyboarding although I haven’t done that as much as I would like for clients. I plan on doing that more and more as my career unfolds.
I specialize in short documentary/testimonial pieces for organizations and businesses. These stories help brand these businesses so that clients and people can know who they are and what they offer on a more personal level. But I would say I am known for my aerial cinematography. That is what I share on social media most often because of how immersive and interactive it is for consumers.
I am most proud of my range, I can do it all because I have forced myself to learn it all (obviously I am nowhere near where I want to be yet). I still have a lot to learn but I genuinely love all aspects of the filmmaking process even if I may not be great at some.
What makes you happy?
I love seeing a project start from a simple idea and blossom into something beautiful. The process from starting with nothing, to creating a tangible product is incredible. You get a pure sense of accomplishment and feeling of success not like most other industries.
Contact Info:
- Email: holt@hiproductions.media
- Website: hiproductions.media
- Instagram: @holtingalls
- Youtube: @holtingalls
Image Credits:
Joshua Miller, Craig Godwin, Lauren Deluca, Eric Hernandez
