Today we’d like to introduce you to Reel ProdiiG.
Hi Reel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Originally from Selma, Alabama, I got my start while focusing on trying to record my own music while in middle school. So, yea videography wasn’t really a focus of mine to begin with. My main focus was music & it transitioned into videography later on. While recording my own music, I didn’t feel as if I really had the support or the connections to get cover arts or music videos. So, I started to do my own artwork using PowerPoint & GIMP. As I progressed in the graphics side of things, I still wanted visuals. This led me to trying to get a camera. Crazy this is that I actually found a free one by snooping around my mother’s bedroom. That’s when I decided I would use it to film my own visuals. The camera wasn’t much at the time, just a small Canon PowerShot SX30 IS that didn’t even film 1080p, but I made it work. I went back to YouTube & started watching tutorials from channels like “Film Riot,” “Creative Ryan” & “YC Imaging.” My biggest influences when it came to music videos at the time were AZae Productions, BPace Productions, & DashTV. After watching videos, I would try to mimic the shots & angles that they did. It wasn’t until late 2014 when I shot my very first music video with “So Icey Fam” that made me realize I could possibly take everything to the next level. For almost 2 years I would work with only him because nobody else really saw potential in working with me. Fast-forward to 2 years later, after trying college in 2016 I went to Nashville to try to expand my clientele & name, but it didn’t work out as planned. What people don’t know is that I slept in my car for an entire 2 months while I was there trying to make connections while my family thought I was taking summer classes. After those 2 months I went back home & started watching, learning & trying to build a local network. By 2017 I was getting bookings from multiple artists locally, but it was only $75-$100 per video. While still growing I would go to other local directors’ shoots & watch them behind the scenes. Doing this I met director by the name of Kel Lowe who showed me how to use my camera in manual mode & fully control it how I wanted to. That’s when my work started to improve much more & get noticed by more people locally. From 2017 to 2018 I would continue to film music videos while at the same time working a full-time job, which was a headache at times. In 2018 I gained the courage to quit my job and try to go full-time with my craft, which eventually failed so I ended up working again 6 months later. I would work that same job until mid-2020 when my bookings started to get in the way of me working which would force me to make a choice. I had to choose job, or dreams & I chose to chase my dreams. It was no question what I was going to choose. I chose to quit working again & go full-time into videography taking in account everything that I learned the first time I failed. I moved to Atlanta at the end of 2020 & instantly hit the ground rolling within 2 weeks. In January 2021 I met Atlanta artist Lil Freaky who basically helped open the door for me. We would go on a run like no other, filming day & night for almost a year straight. He introduced me to artists like K Camp, Future, Yung Mal & Atl Jacob. Being in those settings taught me to much about the industry & my side of the business itself. I moved back Alabama in 2023 due to circumstantial reasons. Since coming back I have been constantly working, networking & evolving my craft. Locking back in with the one I started with “So Icey Fam” & his duo “YB Sk8”, We’ve built a movement of motion that people can’t help but notice. I’ve done music videos in 9 different states so far & I’ve had the pleasure of working with the likes of Future, Sukihana, ATL Jacob, the late Lil Keed, Agns Bill & the list goes on. Looking forward to adding to that resume day by day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path has definitely been challenging. From trying to get noticed in a state where artists only respect the popularity & not so much the creativity, it was hard because I wasn’t one who would talk to many people. As stated, I had to sleep in my car for 2 months while staying in Nashville. Then losing everything after quitting my job in 2018 kind of forced me to move in with someone else for 7 months until I was able to get my own place again which I am totally grateful for. Just Alabama itself is a challenge because the demand isn’t really high, so I was getting underpaid. Going full time in Atlanta was challenging because I had to learn & master slow periods. I had to learn how to leverage not just music videos but camera work in general. I was also arrested 3 times in 2022 all in 3 different states, with the most challenging being in October 2022 where I had to sit for a few months in Fulton County Jail (Rice Street). That forced me to come back homes as terms of my release, which led to deep depression for a bit over a year. Having to give up the life I had built, losing out on investors, missing out on investments, & going through a major financial setback really almost drove me over the edge. I still struggle with that from time to time today because the environment & people here are so draining.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Creative Director, Photographer, Graphic Designer, & Content Creator. I Specialize in Videography, & I am mostly known for my versatility, shooting & editing styles. My content creation side has been kind of competing with the videography side of things though which is kind of crazy to me, but I love it. I’m most proud of me for taking a leap of faith & never giving up on myself no matter the odds. I think what sets me apart is my ability to persevere through the toughest moments & the fact that I don’t get comfortable; I’m always looking to improve & expand my craft. I am always looking & learning the latest technology & software & don’t mind being different.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
For starters waking up every day & being able to still do. It’s a blessing to see another day & to be able to do what I love, whether its creating or traveling & I’m extremely grateful for it. Secondly, I would have to say being able to bring the people’s ideas to life & seeing their reactions. The ability to make someone’s day with my craft just helps resolidify that there is purpose & a bigger picture to what I do.
Pricing:
- Music Video pricing is very much reasonable. Just know you get what you pay for, that includes cameras, lighting, & post-production.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prodiigcreations.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelprodiig/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelProdiiG
- Other: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHDpUOj4Eo/zKRM7Dw5yau3CJyZfd1Ntw/watch?utm_content=DAHDpUOj4Eo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h70778a42b3&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnrS2Y2DqkmLkG9P1gws2oxFRvcF5rqiJB87CkmEAfpCeWgRici68Equ76gKA_aem_LLSEiV2fcsbt9IaZaI8RAQ
