Daily Inspiration: Meet A Great Adventure Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to A Great Adventure Productions

Hi A Great Adventure, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
**A Great Adventure** is the creative endeavor of Justin Patten and Mykell Barlow, a married duo whose unique backgrounds and shared passion for storytelling shape their innovative production company.

Justin Patten, raised on a horse farm in Cordele, GA, developed a deep connection to nature and storytelling from an early age. He fell in love with filmmaking on the opening day of *Jurassic Park*, when he saw dinosaurs come to life on screen. This ignited his fascination with visual storytelling and its power to transport audiences. In 2011, Justin and Mykell moved to Los Angeles with little more than ambition and a determination to break into the film industry. Through a series of Craigslist gigs and Mandy dot com opportunities, Justin built a career that includes designing indie films, working with Buzzfeed, puppeteering miniatures for toy commercials, and serving as a premier on-set dresser for major studios like Amazon, Warner Brothers, and Disney. His work is driven by a desire to present audiences with fresh perspectives and unique experiences, viewing each project as an adventure filled with possibilities. These experiences have fueled and inspired his work as a film director going into each production with a deep knowledge of the many skilled pieces that go into a successful production.

Mykell ‘s artistic journey was born out of his urban upbringing in southwest Atlanta, his teenage years on his family’s 400-acre farm in Kentucky, and an unquenchable desire to finds stories and tell them. His early career as a singer/songwriter saw him collaborate with influential figures such as Grammy-winning producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and super music manager Johnny Wright, which deepened his commitment to narrative craft. This experience naturally transitioned into screenwriting and production. Alongside Justin, Mykell has co-created impactful projects like *“A Farm Called Home”*, *“Huru”*, and *“202 the Series”*. His role as senior executive assistant to RuPaul Charles further enriched his storytelling skills and dedication to narrative integrity. For Mykell, stories are sacred, and he is committed to creating spaces where these narratives can resonate on a global scale.

Together, Justin and Mykell Patten infuse **A Great Adventure** with their shared vision and complementary skills. Their commitment to crafting meaningful and innovative content reflects their belief in the transformative power of storytelling, making every project an exciting and rewarding journey.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been easy but what adventure worth taking ever is. When we moved to Los Angeles in 2011, we had no connections or industry experience. We were the bottom of the totem pole, taking on low-paying and unglamorous gigs to build our reputations and pay our rent. Financial constraints just added to the challenge, teaching us to be very resourceful with limited budgets. Navigating the competitive film and TV market demands continuous networking and adaptable strategies so we are always learning…we have embraced being lifetime learners. Balancing our personal and professional lives as a married couple requires constant open communication and mutual respect. Developing and funding our own projects, like *“A Farm Called Home”* and *“202 the Series”* is always a fun game of figuring it out as we go and pivoting to find the best way forward. We have also had to adapt to constant industry changes (as we are all experiencing currently). Determining where we fit when the dust settles and acclimating to the new landscape, all while staying true to our creative vision. Despite these obstacles, we are committed to the craft of filmmaking and storytelling and it’s that commitment that keeps up moving forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are an award-winning film production company dedicated to crafting cinematic experiences that ignite curiosity and exploration. As custodians of STORY, we embrace the responsibility of discovering and sharing narratives that humanize our fellow man and impact the world around us. From the serene landscapes of Southern farm towns to the mesmerizing character driven odysseys of the urban jungles, our work resonates with depth and authenticity.

At A Great Adventure, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling to inspire and captivate audiences across the globe. Join us on a journey where every frame invites you to see the world anew and connect with the shared human experience.

Any big plans?
We are excited about the future of **A Great Adventure**. We are currently developing two feature films, written by Mykell, which are firsts for us. One of the projects will be filmed on Mykell’s family ranch in Kentucky so we are very excited to get our family more involved in our artistic world.
While we are looking for funding for these projects, we will continue to write and produce our short films, with one slated to go into production at the end of October. We are also in the early stages of turning a children’s book written by Justin into an animated short film. The book, titled “I Simply Cannot Wait to Grow a Beard”, has been very well received and can be found on AMAZON. https://a.co/d/dAL1Z6U

As we engage more and more with the business aspects of our industry it has often felt like impossibly daunting work but when we go back to the stories everything becomes a bit more possible. So, that’s what we will continue to do…go back to the stories. Writing them. Directing them. Sharing them. Because stories are our raison d’etre.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agaproductions.com
• Instagram: @agaproductions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@agreatadventureproductions