Today we’d like to introduce you to John Reynolds.
John, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in the world of insurance. My parents ran a successful insurance company in Little Rock, Arkansas for years. When I was a junior in college, I transferred back to Little Rock to do what any good son should do–start my training to take over the family’s business. But learning insurance for a creative person is like an athlete in a desk job or a math minded person doing art instead of accounting work. My gifts just didn’t like up with the world of insurance.
Things in school that I always gravitated to were yearbook, art classes, anything creative. And my hobbies were always creative in nature–drawing, seeing the world, watching movies and marveling at the beautiful way in which stories were told.
After a year in the insurance world, I sat down with my parents and had a heart-to-heart with them. They totally got my passion was not in the insurance world but in creating. Shortly after, I enrolled at the Art Institute of Dallas in video and film production. From the very first day of class, I had a camera in my hand. My passion was ignited and it hasn’t stopped yet!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I will never forget my first job out of school. Here I was, ready to create and my first job had me copying VHS tapes. Talk about dull! But that is how it can be in this industry–you have to pay your dues and there is no job that is below you–really ever.
I went out on my own 2 years after college. For me, I work best in an environment where I am constantly challenged and always get to do new things. Running my own business has allowed me to take on projects that interest me and help me push myself–despite if they are, at times, profitable or not as much. I like running my own business because it has allowed me to take on story telling that I am passionate about.
Video/film production is not an easy industry–in some cases, you can be stifled because of limited budgets (you can only imagine as far as the client can afford!). In other cases, you go down one path to realize it leads to a dead end. Sometimes you get really excited about a creative project that just doesn’t make. All that can be disappointing. But it is how this industry works. Getting to create a product that tells a story again and again makes the setbacks and dead ends worth it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Middlin’ Creative – what should we know?
My wife and I often talk about how thankful we are for what we get to do every day. It seems sometimes rare for people to love their work so much–and for both of us to have that, it just is really great.
I started my company over 15 years ago with the goal to create something I could be really proud of. Yes, I need money to pay the bills but that was back row to the idea of creating videos for my clients that would tell their story in a meaningful way.
I have worked with many great folks over the years but some of the projects I am most proud of our anything to do with music. I have always loved music and have an eclectic taste. When I moved to Texas, I started to get into the Texas music scene. Without a doubt, these have been some of my favorite projects because I get to blend what I do professionally with something I love personally. Working with folks like Robert Gallagher (former head of entertainment at Billy Bob’s) and Rick Smith and later son, Ricky (owners of Smith music and creators of Live at Billy Bob’s) have been some of my best collaborative partners. Working with people who are so responsible for molding the Texas music scene as it is today and getting to lend my gifts to help in my small way through producing many of the Live at Billy Bob’s videos has been incredible. Some of my favorite projects we did were videos on Billy Joe Shaver and Charlie Robinson. Billy Joe Shaver’s video included shoots with Pat Green and Willie Nelson–some incredible artists. And I have been a long fan of Charlie Robinson so getting to work with him was great. I also loved directing the music video. I loved the way I got to direct Sam Riggs’ When the Lights Went Out. The creative way we did the video really had me at my best. Plus, it wasn’t bad to see it make it to #1 on CMT for several weeks!
I love producing TV shows and several years ago got to do What’d Ya Think, a brain game show. It was super challenging to organize all aspects of that show and we produced something I am really proud of. And, I am excited about work I have coming up to produce a stand-up comedy TV show (coming soon!)–this started because of a stand up 1 hour comedy special I produced that ending up airing on CMT. I am excited to take what I learned there and move it to a full on TV series. It constantly amazes me how one door leads to the next in my world.
I have done countless videos for corporations, political campaigns, community initiatives–but one of my favorite aspects of my work is some non-profit projects I have been involved with. My wife is in the non-profit world and so by default I entered into it too. It’s been awesome to share stories of people who have overcome poverty and other social problems and to see the community step up and support these terrific organizations. I never had thought early on that my story-telling skills could be used in a small way to advance the common good but it is a terrific feeling when it does!
I love what I do. And it is humbling to have the opportunity to tell people’s stories for them. To be a part of painting a picture that gets people inspired, to think differently, to be better–that is the power of what I get to do.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
One of the hardest things growing up was struggling with learning differences. I have dyslexia and it was difficult to do certain things that always seemed to come easy to other kids. I hated this as a kid, but as I reflect back with my adult eyes, I see how this made me so much of who I am today. Things that were a challenge for me has had me lean on other talents I have. When you have a learning difference, it can make you look at the world differently and learn about the world differently. I think that is so much of how my love and talents developed for visual arts.
I grew up always loving art. It started by drawing, devouring illustration books and comic books, and moved into more of a visual passion with movies, seeing the world, and music. My biggest heroes have always been those who create and they continue to be my inspiration.
It’s kind of funny. Growing up, watching movies and listening to music, I always felt like I was on literally a different plane than those who created them. It’s been super cool to see my world and that world collide and to be in the same room as some of these people. It was unthinkable that this would ever happen to me as I was a kid and some days I still shake my head as I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2501 Parkview Dr #219, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Website: www.middlincreative.com
- Phone: 2143640057
- Email: jhr@middlincreative.com
- Instagram: @jharleyreynolds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middlincreative/
Image Credit:
Middlin’ Creative
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