Rising Stars: Meet Thaddeus Wilson of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thaddeus Wilson.

Hi thaddeus, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I wasn’t born in Atlanta but I have lived in this city since I was 1, so I was definitely raised in Atlanta. This city shaped the way I see the world. Growing up, I was always drawn to storytelling, whether it was through movies, sports, or watching people chase their dreams, which Atlanta lives all those things through and through. Growing up here and seeing so much success it just became the norm, and would inevitably make me not only ambitious but also fearless in the process of chasing my dreams. I didn’t always know exactly what my path would look like, but I knew I always wanted to be apart of creativity that impacts people on a major scale, and I’m proud to say I’m doing exactly that.

While studying Business and Film at Georgia State University, I started my production company, “Twillproductions”, mainly because of covid but also because I wanted to build something of my own and gain real-world experience behind the camera.

Since then, I’ve worn a lot of hats videographer, editor, producer, production manager, and tour manager. I have the pleasure of working with platforms like “The 85 South Show”, “Pour Minds”, “Broken Play”, “Act Up”, “Feature Global”, and more! Helping these media brands produce hundreds of podcast episodes, creating thousands of pieces of digital content, and managing live tours across the country. Every role has taught me something different about leadership, creativity, and problem-solving.

Currently, I’ve had the chance to travel to Ethiopia, and this experience has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. Being immersed in a completely different culture reminds me how much there is to learn from people whose lives look different from my own. It challenged me to slow down, be present, and appreciate the power of human connection beyond language or profession. This trip has changed the way I think about both life and storytelling.

Even with everything I’ve accomplished so far, I still feel like I’m just getting started. My long term dream is to produce and star in projects that leave a lasting impact. Films, television series, and stories that entertain while making people feel seen. I want to create opportunities for others the same way so many people have created opportunities for me.

Looking back, every setback, every doubt, every long night on set, every tour stop, and every leap of faith has been preparing me for the next chapter. I’m excited to keep growing, keep creating, and continue proving to myself that the dreams I had growing up in Atlanta are possible with faith, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning.

Today, I’m continuing to grow as both a producer and an actor. I’m passionate about telling meaningful stories, creating opportunities for others, and building a career that bridges film, television, digital media, and live entertainment. I’m grateful for every opportunity that’s helped shape my journey, and I believe I’m just getting started.

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?
It for sure hasn’t been the smoothest road, and I think most people building a career in the creative space can say the same. Making the decision to work in this industry has been the most consequential decisions of my life, but at the same time it’s been the most rewarding. One of the biggest challenges for me has been learning to believe in myself even when the results weren’t showing up yet. There were times I questioned whether I was talented enough, whether I was making the right career decisions, or if all the long hours would ever pay off.

Another challenge has been wearing so many different hats. Throughout my time in this industry I’ve been a videographer, editor, producer, production manager, tour manager, all while actively doing auditions and pursuing acting. While those experiences have made me incredibly versatile and knowledgable, they also came with moments of burnout that had me questioning: “What if I just put my time into one of these crafts?” I wonder how different my life would look?

Rejection has also been part of the journey. I’ve made it to the last round of interviews for 6 figure jobs that I didn’t get, had meetings with million dollar corporations like “Prizepicks” pitching great ideas that never progressed or moved forward, and auditioned for life changing acting roles that didn’t work out. Earlier in my career, I took those moments personally. Now I see them as part of the process. Every opportunity, whether it works out or not, teaches me something that makes me better for the next one. It also widens my scope in networking and just never giving up.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned recently came during this trip to Ethiopia, I’m here now as I write to you. Stepping away from my normal routine and experiencing a different culture reminded me that life is about more than constantly chasing the next accomplishment. It helped me reconnect with gratitude, be more present, and appreciate relationships and experiences just as much as career milestones. That perspective has made me a better leader, a better creative, and a better person overall.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change the difficult moments. They’ve taught me resilience, humility, and patience. Success isn’t just about reaching a destination it’s about becoming the kind of person who can handle the opportunities when they finally arrive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself a storyteller first. Whether I’m producing a podcast, directing a commercial, managing a live tour, editing a film, or acting in front of the camera, everything I do revolves around creating experiences that make people feel something.

Over the years, I’ve built a career by learning every part of the creative process. I’ve produced hundreds of podcast episodes, managed live tours across the country, created thousands of pieces of digital content, and worked with talented celebrities, creators, brands, and entertainers. Those experiences have taught me that great storytelling isn’t just about having a creative vision it’s about leadership, collaboration, and knowing how to bring that vision to life.

One thing that sets me apart is my willingness to do whatever the project needs. I’ve never been someone who says, “That’s not my job.” If a production needs a producer, I’ll produce. If it needs an editor, I’ll edit. If it needs someone to solve problems behind the scenes, I’m happy to step in. That versatility has allowed me to grow from working behind the scenes to leading productions and managing national tours.

At the same time, I’m continuing to pursue acting because not only am I very passionate about it but I believe it makes me a stronger storyteller while sharpening my emotions as well as my mind. Experiencing both sides of the camera has given me a deeper appreciation for the creative process and the people who bring stories to life.

More than any specific project, I’m most proud of the trust I’ve earned. Clients, creators, and teams know they can rely on me to stay calm under pressure, find solutions, and deliver. In an industry where things rarely go exactly as planned, I’ve learned that being dependable is just as valuable as being creative.

Looking ahead, my goal is to create projects that I’m proud to put my name on not only as a producer, but also as an actor.

I want to tell stories that entertain, inspire, and leave a lasting impact, while creating opportunities for other creatives along the way.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up in Atlanta, I was the exact opposite of the person most people meet today. I was loud, expressive, and definitely the class clown. I loved making people laugh and never shied away from being the center of attention. Looking back, all of those qualities naturally pointed me toward entertainment long before I realized it could become a career.
One of my biggest inspirations was The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Watching Will Smith become successful simply by being charismatic, funny, and unapologetically himself completely changed how I saw the world. As a kid, it showed me that your personality could be your greatest asset. I remember trying to capture that same confidence and charm in my own way, and in many ways that became the foundation of who I am today.

Outside of that, I was fascinated by media in general. I loved sitcoms with great storytelling and characters that felt relatable, but I also loved basketball, music, and sports. As I got older, I realized that all of those passions had one thing in common, they all lived within the world of entertainment. That realization sparked my curiosity about the power of media and the way stories can influence people and create opportunities.

By high school, I had fully embraced performing. I played leading roles in productions like Romeo and Juliet, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Nutcracker, and during my senior year I hosted nearly every major event at my school, from talent shows and pep rallies to fashion shows and other assemblies. I also ran track and field, competing in the 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and the 400 meters, and I was honored to be voted onto our Homecoming Court. My classmates even voted me “Most Likely to Be Famous,” which is still one of my favorite memories because it reflected how much joy I found in connecting with people.

Ironically, college is where I became more grounded. Going to Georgia State University forced me to see life from a more practical perspective. Like many students, I experienced financial struggles and quickly realized that passion alone wasn’t enough, I needed to build a career that was both creatively fulfilling and sustainable. That shift changed everything. Instead of only dreaming about being in entertainment, I became determined to learn every part of the industry. That mindset eventually led me into producing, production management, touring, and filmmaking, while never letting go of my dream of acting.

Looking back now, I don’t think that outgoing kid ever disappeared. He’s still there. The difference is that today I know how to channel that same energy into creating stories, leading teams, and building a career that I hope inspires someone else the same way Will Smith inspired me to years ago.

Pricing:

• Podcast Production (Single Episode): Starting at $1,500
• Multi-Episode Podcast Packages: Starting at $3,000
• Acting, Producing & Creative Collaborations: Available upon request
• Event Coverage & Live Production: Custom quotes available
• Commercial & Brand Video Production: Custom pricing based on scope

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bit.ly/twillportfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thadwilson_?igsh=a2tlYXhrM2E0b2Vh&utm_source=qr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaddeus-wilson-126535163