Meet Thomas Cramer of Tom C. Media in Venice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Cramer.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a kid, I was constantly creating. When I was really little, I made so many picture books (drawings on construction paper stapled together) that I filled almost an entire shelf. I was in musicals and plays all throughout my childhood. I even went as far as creating my own sports teams and would re-create big moments in my backyard.

My yearning for realism led me to make a Xanga page for my fake football team. My Dad nearly had a heart attack when he was perusing the page and saw that people were commenting about specific fake players and the ongoings of the team. Upon investigating, he found out that I had created other accounts and would comment on my page…all in the name of making it more realistic. I was wildly imaginative.

As I got older, I buried the creative spark in lieu of other endeavors. It wasn’t until my brother’s friend invited me to be in a one-act play he was directing my sophomore year of high school that I rediscovered this creative side. I acted in everything I could through high school and moved to Los Angeles to attend The American Academy of Dramatic Arts after graduating.

I enjoyed a fairly successful acting spurt my first few years in LA. I was in various shorts/commercials/a feature film or two. While acting was a good time, I felt like I wanted more creative control than it provided. While on set, I was constantly enamored by the whole “process”. I would spend time with the DP’s and Director’s asking various questions, picking their brain. When I decided to make my own short film I quickly realized that producing/fundraising was easier said than done. My neighbor was in a program at Studio 4 where you team up and make a short film with a $1,000 budget. I decided to take the prerequisite classes and eventually joined the program. It was there that I made my first short film, The Valet, and fell in love with the medium as a whole.

A bit later, I decided to work two jobs in order to buy all of the equipment needed and have relative creative freedom. I eventually got there, buying a camera, some sound equipment, a computer to edit on, Adobe, etc. This led me to more and more opportunities to freelance. I edited a friend’s web series, filmed at a concert venue on numerous occasions, and filmed/edited a teaser for a new show.

When two of my producing partners (Claire Donald & Tess Bellomo) and I received a recurring contract to make social media content for a startup, I saw the possibilities for a production company.

That was a year ago. Since then, I’ve picked up more contracts with other younger companies and I’ve learned the ropes of creating short-form content for brands. This has also allowed me to spend time on my own ideas.

After receiving a friendly loan from the Bank of Mom & Dad, I had the means to focus my attention on these endeavors full time. In April of this year, I launched Tom C. Media.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a windy road, for sure. I’ve zigged and zagged all over the place for the past decade…but it’s led me to here. Serving at a restaurant while also working at a coffee shop led to some really long days. One summer, my schedule was: wake up, work, take a nap, work, repeat. It was a draining time. And not all that creative. But I knew it was the step backwards I needed to take in order to take two steps forward.

I have also put myself into a position where I had to learn several new skills, quickly. I have gone to YouTube University in order to teach myself editing, and then coloring, and then sound design, and then cinematography. It’s felt a bit like the book “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie”. After I learn a new trick or skill I realize that there’s something else that I don’t know…so then I do my best to learn it.

As most people who do it can attest, freelancing is not for the faint of heart. It is even more anxiety-inducing when there is no “day job” or back up plan. However, I work better under pressure and with a deadline, so it is a welcomed challenge.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tom C. Media – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Tom C. Media is an all-encompassing, boutique, production company. The front side of the business is Production Services.

Our fleet of equipment and creative tastes are enough to see a production through from the first day of filming to the day of its release. For the web series Beth & the Blob, I was able to work with the incredibly creative Dustin Cañez and Stephen Webb throughout the whole project. It was an ambitious concept, but because I was both filming AND editing, I knew the specifics and details of how to get the job done without having to translate. We were able to develop a shorthand and rapport which, I believe, led to a successful product.

I also have worked with incredible companies like Bev, Apres, and the podcast Almost 30 to create short-form content for their brands. Over the past year, I have learned how to take in what a company wants out of their videos, and provide it to them. I have also learned how to expand on their great ideas and make something delightfully unexpected!

In addition to all that, I also love working with actors on their reels. Whether it’s just editing their work together, or going out and filming professional quality scenes that show them off, working with actors is always a great experience. Having gone through the acting gauntlet myself, and with input from casting director friends, I am able to provide a unique insight to reel creation.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the next month, I will be working with Almost 30 on a groundbreaking new project! I will also continue working with Karen Beaches and her team on a few exciting developments.

I will also begin filming my own project, Artful. It is a short documentary series that follows artists through the creation of single new piece. Think Chef’s Table mixed with Project Greenight.

Pricing:

• Actor Reels…$75 for reel editing, $200 for filming/editing a new scene.

Contact Info:

• Address: 39 Paloma Ave.
  Venice, CA 90291
• Website: tomcmedia.com
• Phone: 9139632844
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomcmedia/

Image Credit:
Jess Dennison

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