Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Hodges
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion for film and photography, simply put, started as a cure for summer boredom.
After moving away from my hometown and knowing no one that summer, all I had to keep my 10 year old self entertained was an iPod touch with the semi-popular application, Video Star. Video Star started as a platform where users could create fan-made music videos full of effects. Sure enough, my desire to dance and act had me all about it.
I started getting really into making my videos. It felt like it was all I had as everything around me, my environment and family dynamics, were changing. Everyday, I would go outside, find a rock or some obscure stick to lean my phone against, and start lip-syncing. I eventually started uploading my content to Instagram and to YouTube. There, I found a community of other individuals creating the same videos, and soon after, Video Star started featuring it’s user’s content within the app. Video Star was the first acknowledgement I ever received outside my parents that. “hey, you’re really making something cool here.” As a 6th grader, this was awesome.
As time went on and Video Star continued to hype up my work, my desire to learn about effects such as keyframing and color-grading was on fire. I even painted my bedroom walls green in efforts to learn green screen masking (no idea why my mother approved that horrendous color looking back, haha). But I have no regrets, because little did I know, those silly dances and encouraging comments from Video Star and family, would lead to something much bigger: a passion for storytelling.
As I got older and left middle school, my content on YouTube transitioned from fan-made music videos to scripted sketches. Inspired by creatives like Natalie Lynn (HeyyxNatalie on YouTube), I crafted sketches about anything and everything relevant to my 13 year old life. This ranged from “Really Ridiculous Rants” to making fun of my own indecisiveness and sarcasm. It’s content I couldn’t make now, as those videos are truly a portrait of my young teenage mind. They’re special to look back on, but even more special to see growth from.
Once I hit 16 or so, I was ready to stop making myself the target of comedy in my videos. By this point, I had lost my mother to Cancer, and my Uncle to a drowning incident. I was ready to make a positive impact, to start making content that could inspire people and to remind them life is not-forever, so make it count.
I crafted an auto-biographical documentary series called “Make Your Mark,” with the end goal being to push people, including myself, to try new things. Additionally, I created my first narrative short film, “Breaking the Rules of Superstition,” a film centered on a guy who tests the exteremities of his self-proclaimed “worst luck.” These films were almost a coping mechanism for me – a way to push myself beyond all that had happened to me, and a way to show that I was still me through it all. These films were my reasoning for getting out of bed, just as they were when I was a child. In turn, “Breaking the Rules of Superstition” was my only shot to continue doing what I love…
The ultimate achievement was being accepted into the University of Southern California’s Film and Television Production program (the number one undergraduate program for film in the world). It honestly seemed like my only shot at justifying my passion as my career, and maybe my only shot at leaving Texas to go start a new adventure elsewhere, too, although looking back and knowing how stubborn I am, I probably would have figured it out, haha.
Since being at USC though, I’ve learned so many technicalities of filmmaking. I’ve been exposed to the process both on and off set, alongside the types of films there are. Most importantly, I’ve collaborated with like-minded creators who all want the same thing: to inspire people and make change through film.
Fast-forward to 2024, and I’m entering my senior year. I’ve been fortunate to work with so many creatives here, on music videos and short films. I’ve made what I see as a “proper” directorial debut with my film You Stopped Showing Up,” and worked on artists like MUNA’s music videos. I finally understand my goals to work with the camera, and also to capture stories (documentaries and music videos), rather than craft them. In addition, I’ve finally had the chance to adventure and find hobbies I love outside of film, such as my passion for the outdoors (I am now a Wilderness First Responder). I even took a semester abroad in Auckland, New Zealand in early 2024 where I was able to expand my connections and collaborate on films with New Zealanders and explore their incredible nature. Additionally, I am now living a full-circle moment as I livestream for Video Star on Instagram every other week. I am able to provide support and encouragement to all our young editors, just as I once received.
I’ve got plenty of more little details between all these aspects of life, but there’s just a baseline for now, unless you have more questions!
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?
The road certainly has not been smooth… to name just a couple obstacles:
1. The loss of my best friend, my mother, to Cancer in 2018. I was 14 at the time. We found out in October of 2017, and had no idea what the outcome would be. It uprooted my life both emotionally and physically, as I moved in with my father back in Fort Worth, Texas. With different living styles between my Dad’s side of the family and my mom’s side, I was constantly switching back and forth between who I was supposed to be… which leads me to:
2. Anxiety. I’m lucky that this battle has not consumed my life; however, learning to manage it took time. Anxiety had me overbooking my time, filling it with anything and everything. It took a long time to understand a healthy amount of work/life balance…
3. Being hospitalized in December 2023. I was unexpectedly admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a hemoglobin (blood level) of 4.1 (supposed to be a 12-14). After 6 blood transfusions and a week in the ICU, my eyes were opened that no job or school is worth dying for. Work life balance is essential, and I’m now a huge advocate for it. Of course, my blood type is B positive… a reminder to always stay optimistic and be positive. It’s literally in my blood.
4. The unexpected passing of my Uncle in 2019. He didn’t have kids, so he treated me like one of his own – especially after we lost my mom (his sister). My grandmother had lost both her kids, she leaned on me and my two older siblings (who were already out of the house) for support. She is an incredible woman, so strong, and I look up to her so much. She is a prime example of why I can have an optimistic outlook on life still – she finds a reason to wake up everyday after losing her children, and she’s happy to be alive and help people.
5. My father’s amputation. Long story short, part of his foot had to be amputated due to an infection. Learning to navigate public spaces with him has been eye-opening. Never assume what someone is going through when don’t know, especially in the realm of health.
All of these struggles led me to my passion, though, and I don’t let them define me, rather, use them as ignition for the flame. In my mind, all of these are documentary-worthy stories. That’s the thing, I don’t want anyone to go unnoticed for their efforts and hardworking to keep moving forward.
I certainly wouldn’t be as grateful or optimistic for life as I am now without these hardships. My mom and Uncle’s death reminded me life is temporary and to make everyday count while you can. My battle with my mental health has taught me work/life balance and holds value on a day to day. My battle with my physical health has taught me how to live a healthy lifestyle (with activity and nutricious foods) to ensure I can show up my best everyday, and show up, period. My experience with my father’s health has opened my eyes to everyone’s day to day experience being different.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With a wide interested in film and photography, I’ve worked on various projects: music videos, concert photography, wedding photography, posed and creative portraiture, nature documentaries and photography, short films and mixed media works… I love it all. Send me somewhere I can interact with people and have my camera, and I’m there!
As it stands, I’m most known for my short film, “You Stopped Showing Up” (my most prized piece), music videos I’ve worked on, and my event/nature photography. I’ve won various photography awards from the Association of Texas Photography Instructors, and I am published on Good Guys Press for my concert work. I’ve shot a few shows for Atlantic Records and videos for artists like Ingrid Griffin and Nina Lu. My younger work was featured on Video Star App over 22 times.
What sets me apart from others is my desire to tell stories about people that already exist. Why build a world through narrative when a story-rich world already exists? We can always tell stories in retrospect, but what if we miss the now? Sometimes things we experience in the present are more eye-opening than those we have time to sit and reflect on and “revise.” I’m curious and eager to know what drives people, why they get up out of bed everyday. I love to try new things, and following people’s stories with my camera allows me to do that. I genuinely just love learning about people. That’s the difference between me and a lot of other creatives in LA. I’m in it for both of us, not just my livelihood.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
This goes back to what I said before, but honestly, there is no better way to network other than simply just caring about people. People have your back when you have theirs. It’s simple human decency… and honestly, so many opportunities branch off previous people I’ve met.
but beyond that…
I like the “it never hurts to ask” method. I think it’s easy to be afraid of the word “no” when it comes to job opportunities, but just as we don’t like hearing it, people don’t like saying it. It’s crazy how many opportunities I’ve gained just by sending a cold email and pitching myself/my work. Even on a day to day, I have a free gym membership because I offered to take event photos for the climbing gym I go to. I was able to photograph and go to my favorite band, Wallows, show for free just by sending an email. Additionally, I engage with those I look up to. Not always, but a lot of times they notice. My biggest inspiration from YouTube, Natalie Lynn, turned into one of my friends this way. Pour energy into things you love, and you will likely receive that energy back. Seriously, it’s crazy the doors that open when you initiate the conversation. Even better, it’s incredible the people you’ll meet in doing so.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies per project! For inquiries: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/myunscene
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyister
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hollyhodges
Image Credits
All image credits go to myself, Holly Hodges.
