Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrell Pinckney.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well… It all started in the Carolinas. I was born in Charleston into a military family. (Yes, I am a military brat!) My father was in the Air Force and I got to experience the world at a very young age. I started Grade School in Zweibrücken, Germany. The one thing that I will never forget was the feeling of receiving a package in the mail from my Grandmother. She used to record American Saturday morning cartoons for my sister and I.
From there, I’ve had the opportunity to visit upwards of 20 different countries. Moving was a very normal thing for my family and I. Everywhere we went, my father always had his old school VHS video camera or a still frame film camera nearby to capture moments. At the time, I didn’t think much of it but the cameras were cool. When we returned to the United States, we traveled around a few more times, with stops in Virginia and Hawaii, until we found our footing in Charlotte, North Carolina.
I attended Zebulon B. Vance High School. I was a member of the football team, ran indoor and outdoor track and was an honorary member of the chess club. At the time, it seemed odd for a jock to be mixed in with the “geeks” of the school, but chess is the ultimate mental game of strategy and forward-thinking; it was great practice.
High School was great! I met some of my best friends, got my first job at K-mart and did a little more traveling with the track team. One particular national invitational track meet stands out to me; I only had one event to run that day so I was done with competition early. I remember sitting in the stands and seeing local camera crews reporting, even some of the schools had their own people recording footage; but for some reason that day we didn’t have anyone covering our team… and that’s when my life changed! I reached into my duffel bag, pulled out my Kodak Disposable camera, and started snapping photos. It felt like second nature to me. I guess years of watching my father take photos and capture family moments planted the storytelling seed, and I knew what I wanted to do with my life.
After graduating High School, I was accepted to North Carolina A&T State University. Growing up a fan of the TV show A Different World, I couldn’t wait for the HBCU experience. From day one, I dove headfirst in pursuit of my film career. As an undergrad, I went on to do work with ESPN, Nike and a few local News Stations; simultaneously cultivating and polishing my storytelling skill-set. I wrote a feature film script entitled 1921 that got the attention of my college professor, and he thought it could have some potential in being developed which added even more fuel to my ambition.
After graduating from College, I was stuck in a crossroads. Either I could go the “traditional” route by moving out to Los Angeles or take a shot in an up and coming city with only one known filmmaker [Tyler Perry].
So I leaped out on faith… and moved to Atlanta.
Since being here, I got to work for Michael Jackson [EPK Thriller 25] NFL, Sony, Georgia Dome Productions, and this is birthplace of my company TPHILMS.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has NOT been a smooth ride in the least… especially in 2008.
The biggest obstacle I had to face, while adjusting to a new city, was being a college graduate unable to get a job right out of the gate. In my mind, I had accomplished what “Society” told me I was supposed to, but reality had other things in-store.
In 2008, the Economy took a nose dive and jobs were very hard to come by. The small production company I was working with at the time didn’t have the revenue to pay me; they could barely keep me on as an intern. So I had to make a choice: either stay with the company with no paycheck in the foreseeable future or strike out on my own; so I left the company. For a short moment, I felt defeated. One Saturday afternoon I went on a long drive around the entire 285 loop, did some soul searching and asked myself…” Am I really supposed to be here?” I thought about everything I learned while I was with the production company, and by the time I got back to the South Side near Camp Creek, I had come to my conclusion and had my answer… Yes! The rest is history…
We’d love to hear more about your business.
TPHILMS was created because of the gap in organic storytelling. Too many people were and still are trying to recreate stories from the past. Its time to move things in a different direction. What sets this company apart is that we focus on planting seeds of inspiration in our stories; rather it be a Documentary, Narrative Feature or Short film.
For example, I think it’s fair to say, we’ve all seen our share of movies with content such as bondage and discrimination… but how many stories tell us what is possible or who we can become … that’s what separates TPHILMS from the rest.
We also forge partnerships with small businesses and fortune 500 companies to help illuminate their visions.
What were you like growing up?
Great question… 80’s baby all day! Growing up, I was a very energetic kid and loved to explore. ( Just like my Children Jazmine and Tiana.. yes Disney princesses lol Shout out to my wife Kristen).
Like I mentioned earlier growing up in a military household, everyday was an adventure. My lens was fixed a little different because I wasn’t aware of “race;” all I cared about was playing basketball, football or video games with children my age.
Outside of the video game world, I had, and still have, a heavy interest in Disney Films. I guess you can say TPHILMS was created out of my own imagination with a desire to see what Disney films could look like through my eyes.
I was also a huge fan of 90’s music and entertainment. Everything from hip-hop, R&B, Rap and Blockbuster Nights.. Good Times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.terrelljpinckney.com
- Email: tphilms1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tphilms/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4191629/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Image Credit:
Brandon J Crawford
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