Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Holland.
Hi Joel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
Since I can remember, I have seen words used intentionally. Where my mom saw injustice, she would speak up. Where my dad saw someone finish well (retire, graduate, etc.) he would honor them with a personalized poem. Our voices have an impact on those around us, and I was shown that in my earliest memories. Around the same time, the adventures of Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, and Benjamin Gates (yes, he belongs) were some of the first to grab my attention. I wanted to create adventures of my own. I am grateful for imaginative siblings and friends, and that, wherever we were, with whatever we had, they would create stories with me. As a kid, I started making my own “chapter books,” made up of loose paper from around the house, stapled together. As I studied storytelling in high-school, college, and beyond, my writing strengthened. As I discovered travel, heartbreak, and new experiences, my writing deepened. I am grateful for those early days. Today, as a full-time filmmaker, I know the writer I am now owes a lot to the writer I was becoming back then.
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?
Starting Rerolled Studios came out of a place of restlessness. I had written feature after feature, pilot after pilot, but most of them sat on my computer somewhere, or stalled out in the quarter-finals of some screenwriting contest. I guess I was tired of waiting for someone else to decide whether or not my work might get made one day. I decided to make it myself. That being said, when it came to producing my own work, I had no clue what I was doing. My comfort zone is the page. My strength is the page. But I slowly started expanding the areas of film I was involved in. I think you sort of have to, starting out. I picked up my phone and realized, I’m gonna have to film, direct, edit, and act in some of my own stuff.
Then, there is definitely discouragement after you share something you created and you don’t feel like it was received with the same care it was made with. It’s not a fun feeling putting hours and hours into something, uploading it, and getting 30 views and 2 likes. It’s especially unfun to go back and watch what you made immediately after you made it and go, “okay, that’s not as good as I wanted it to be.” People talk about wanting to make great things and then they get discouraged when the first thing they make isn’t great. The act of creating is good, in and of itself, but that doesn’t mean the thing you make will be as good as you want it to be. Resistance is real, and the biggest struggle is pushing past it and focusing on creating a body of work. Learn by doing. If you wait until you’re ready, you won’t start, but once you start, you’ll get better. So no, the road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s smoothing out.
What has changed since you started producing your own work?
Since producing my own work, I now have the audience in mind more than ever. I live for the theatre experience, everyone reacting together to the same moment, tearing up or laughing together. I love the communal experience of talking about the latest episode of our current favorite show and what might happen to the characters that feel like friends. I want my work to provide that, but I am continuing to learn that if I want that to happen, I must actively work toward it. You take steps toward your dream, registering a website and getting an email in your name. You email ad agencies and you don’t just say “I want to write more commercials.” Instead, you send them spec scripts and say, “I write commercials and you want me on your team.” You go to film festivals. You go up to people you want to work with, even if you’re nervous, and you don’t say, “I am an aspiring filmmaker.” You say, “I am a filmmaker. Let’s make something.” There are going to be a lot of voices telling you what you are and what you aren’t, and if this is what you want to do, DO IT. People won’t be able to say “eh, maybe that’s not for you to do” because you’ll just be doing it, and then it’s yours.
What can you tell us about what’s in the pipeline right now?
I try to gather a talented group of folks every month or two and make something we can all be proud of. We’re finishing out an anthology series right now around the theme of Being Seen and gearing up for next year’s theme: Perspective. We have some incredible stuff in post-production with some truly talented teams, and I’m so eager to share it with our community! Josh Stolberg (Soulmark Studios) and Daniel Pitts (Blume Video Marketing) have partnered with me on a handful of short films, and they look incredible. Rerolled has an original animated short coming out next year (no AI), partnering with an incredibly talented, local animator, Elliot Wheat. We also have a One-Shot in the works with Patrick and Lolo (IX Film Productions). I’m elated these days. This is the most proud I’ve ever been of my work.
Why Kansas City?
Honestly, the community here is incredible. It took me a while to realize how deep this city’s love for filmmaking goes. From folks like Wes Elder (The Matchbreaker) showing me the ropes, to the Birdwatching Film Festival showcasing local short films and helping other talented filmmakers meet, I have been blessed time and time again by this community. With the tax incentive that passed, filmmakers in this city are already seeing bigger jobs come our way. Things are happening. If you’re a filmmaker and you live in the area, this is as good a time as any to connect with your community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc.
At this point, I dabble in a little bit of everything. I’m an actor, signed with Moxie Talent. I’m Production Secretary on a television show until early fall. The more roles I serve in on a set, the more respect I have for each department. There are so many crucial components that often get overlooked, but it takes all hands on deck to make a movie. That being said, my true passion is the script. If the script is solid, then I’m probably passionate about the project. Whether I’m commissioned to write a local commercial, give notes on a national commercial pitch, or swapping specs with another passionate writer, I will always be drawn to script work. The music of the dialogue, the captivation of the action lines, and the pace of the story as it transforms the protagonist and the audience is a poetry I am always chasing. Whether it’s a 3 pager or a 93 pager, I’m always looking for a script that takes me somewhere, and when it sets me back down, I want to be changed.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of cultivating a set that seeks to honor everyone involved. If we’re making art to give people dignity and feel seen, but we’re not doing that on set, we’re missing the point. If you’re talented, hardworking, and kind, I probably want to work with you. Then, we can all look around with each other and say, “can you believe we get to do this?”
What sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from others is my wife, Chloe. She’s my better half. She’s in my corner with the golden gloves. She has supported me above and beyond. She’s brilliant and can do whatever she sets her mind to. I would keep an eye on her if I were you. She’s currently changing the world, and I am a better man (ever a work in progress) because of her. Friends and family from all corners of the map also provide consistent encouragement. Chap just sent me back some killer edits on a script. He’s the best. My cousin Josh actually helped me kick off the channel years ago with our first short film (starring my brother, Luke) and has since jumped in as producer, editor, and honestly, wherever help was needed. It’s been cool to see his skillset grow as he’s been trying to help me chase my dream. I am very grateful for the people that form my support system, and I would not be where I am without them.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My faith drives what I do and how I do it. I’m a strong believer in Jesus, and my aim is to reflect the heart of the Christ we see in Scripture, not the American Jesus that was manufactured for votes and bullies. I live for the Jesus that loves fiercely. His heart is unlike anyone else’s, and without His work in my life, I would be a very different person. Even with an Oscar, without Him, I would be a lot less fun to be around and a lot more miserable. He sees people well, loves them unconditionally, and has a great sense of humor. I hope my work reflects Him well.
Where can we find your work?
My latest short films and video essays find their home at the Rerolled Studios Youtube channel. I like to leave the early stuff on there, too. I guess I have this image of some young filmmaker finding the channel one day, finding my early stuff, and realizing that they just need to start with what they have. Rerolled Studios is my production company (available for hire), but I’m also collaborating elsewhere. My longtime pal and I just dropped a pilot called “Clark & Joel’s Sketchy Summer,” shot, filmed, edited, and acted in ourselves. It’s a hoot. My pals Kelsey & Austin are cooking some wild comedy stuff with me over at “C’mon Guys, Be Funny.” If you subscribe to both of those channels too, you’re encouraging some very funny people to keep making very funny stuff, and that’s free for you to do.
For anyone that wants to work with you, what’s a good next step for them?
Yeah, if you’re interested in collaborating, I would love to hear about the project. For me, the script comes first. If it’s a solid script, and the folks leading the project are kind, it will be hard for me to turn it down. If you can pay me for my services, whether it’s helping with a film or a commercial, then it’ll be even harder for me to turn it down. But yeah, my first question is always, how’s that script looking? My next big goal is to write and direct a full-length feature film, right here in the area, but for now, I’m still learning by doing, one short film at a time. If that’s something that you might like to be a part of, I would love to add you to my cast / crew list. Life’s too short not to tell great stories.
I’ll see you on set.
Pricing:
- Pricing for Rerolled Studios services and Joel’s writing varies, depending on the project. Reach out today!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rerolledstudios/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-holland-76a60620a
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2iuGTmUSr7t-60QBF2_rfQ
Image Credits
Ethan Foster (image #1) (Joel and the script on shoot day)
Manny Chery (Image #2) (Joel, happy to be here)
Manny Chery (Image #3) (Joel reflects on his growth)
Jennifer White (image #4) (Joel and Chloe Holland)
Ethan Foster (image #5) (Joel and Josh Stolberg (Soulmark Studios) co-directing)
