Today we’d like to introduce you to Timothy Kline.
Hi Timothy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey began in the most unexpected way: as an absolutely terrible “extra” in the LA scene. Back then, I would drive up from San Diego just to be on set. The money didn’t matter; the moment I stepped onto a production, my eyes lit up, and my heart found its rhythm. It was the coolest thing in the world.
I quickly realized the real magic was happening behind the camera. I became obsessed with the tools of the craft. After long 12-to-16-hour days, I’d stick around to help the production crew break down their gear, constantly asking questions and absorbing every lesson they shared. I was so grateful to be on set that I didn’t even realize I was building an enormous, multi-faceted skillset in lighting, sound, editing, cinematography, and CGI.
This led to the creation of Hilo Motion Pictures, which translates to “Navigation by the stars utilizing the light from within.” It’s a philosophy that guides everything we do. Over 20 years, I built Hilo Motion Pictures, Advantage Video Production, and Reel Coast Digital Media on a foundation of pure passion and a commitment to cinematic excellence. I am now the primary director and CEO, but I got here by remaining a student of the craft and putting people and positive experiences first.
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?
It has been anything but a smooth road, but I see those struggles as my biggest advantage. I’ve taken my share of proverbial “Mike Tyson punches to the face,” but my resilience comes from my ability to get back up, shake myself off, and keep grinding with my core values intact.
Early on, I measured success with the old-school metrics—money, cars, and the “usual suspects.” That proved to be a spiral into an exhausting and unfulfilling existence. The real struggle was the internal shift to understand that business is personal, and everything starts with the people. I made a promise to myself to change everything I disliked about the industry’s old ways—the segregation, the lack of timely pay, the impersonal sets.
The greatest challenges have forced me to expand my knowledge as a CEO and grow as a leader. True resilience isn’t about manipulating an outcome; it’s about not letting any adversity affect my core values of kindness, compassion, and service. When I focus on those, I turn every problem into a solution and a source of wisdom.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Hilo Motion Pictures, Advantage Video Production, and Reel Coast Digital Media, we are the authority in creating cinematic experiences for our clients. I specialize in high-end video production, blending creative direction with meticulous logistical execution.
What I Do: I am the Primary Director and CEO. I handle the high-level vision, lead all creative decision-making, and ensure the business structure empowers our team to deliver world-class content.
What I’m Known For: I am known for my unique ability to envision a production from start to finish—down to the final edit—in a quick flash, almost like a factual blueprint that hits my consciousness. It’s a gift that ensures a seamless, high-quality final product. On set, I’m known for cultivating an atmosphere of positive vibes, laughter, and smiles, where professionalism and passion meet.
What Sets Us Apart: Our definitive difference is our commitment to human connection and ethical practice. My team gets paid on the day of filming, every single time. It’s a small detail that makes a massive impact, showing respect for our crew’s time and effort. This commitment to fairness, inclusion, and kindness builds extraordinary loyalty and results in a highly motivated team that consistently over-delivers for our partners.
What I’m Most Proud Of: I am most proud when a client or partner calls me directly after a filming day to share what a wonderful experience they had. They often single out individual Hilo crew members for making them feel valued and safe. That feedback—that we’ve created a memorable, positive life experience while producing stellar content—is the ultimate marker of success for me.
How do you define success?
I define success by the love and positive energy on our production sets and the quality of human connections we forge.
I no longer measure success by external factors like bank accounts or possessions. Instead, I measure it by the depth of my personal internal work. Success is being grounded in kindness, compassion, and empathy, which allows me to connect with clients and partners on levels I’d never experienced before.
For me, success is an inside job. When I change my internal perspective, the external world—and my business—changes to match. The fact that my crew and I genuinely love what we do, mentor, and welcome everyone into the filmmaking world, while consistently delivering powerful results for our clients, is the truest definition of success in my humble opinion.
Pricing:
- We prioritize a custom, solution-based approach for every client, so our project pricing is tailored to each unique vision. However, we believe in full transparency and can provide a general range for our readers to help them understand the investment required for high-quality, cinematic content.
- Multi-Day/Cinematic Commercial Production: Starting at $25,000+
- Half-Day Video Production (Single Camera/Small Crew): Starting at $3,500 – $5,500
- Full-Day Production (Multi-Crew, Professional Lighting & Sound): Starting at $7,500 – $12,000+ Our most common package, suitable for high-end brand films, corporate videos, or full-scale marketing assets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hilomotionpictures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilomotionpictures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilomotionpictures/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hilo-motion-pictures
- Other: https://vimeo.com/hilomotionpictures
Image Credits
@hilomotionpictures
@advantagevideoproduction
@timothypatrick6
