We recently connected with Carson Smucker and have shared our conversation below.

Carson, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

One of the key differentiators for Upside Films is our unwavering focus on a single niche: sports. Unlike many production companies that span multiple industries, we dedicate ourselves entirely to sports content—whether it’s a hype video, documentary, original series, interview, brand piece, or something totally experimental, every project we take on is rooted in the world of sports. This singular focus has allowed us to refine our craft at a level that sets us apart.

When we first launched Upside Films, I wondered if narrowing our scope so much would limit us. In reality, it has done the opposite. By working in sports day in and day out, we’ve developed a deep understanding of what resonates—how to work effectively with athletes, coaches, internal creative teams, PR, and marketing groups, and how to create content that moves at the pace of sports. That experience has made us more valuable to the sports media industry, and when people think of elite sports production, we want them to think of Upside Films.

Carson, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My passion for sports video production started early—around 11 or 12 years old. I used to record SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays each morning on VHS, then at the end of the week, I’d dub them together, set them to music, and create highlight mashups. When my family got a computer with a demo disk of Pinnacle Studio, a consumer editing software, I was hooked. From then on, I spent my days making sports videos—whether from professional games or moments with friends in the backyard or on the school field.

That passion led me to Temple University, where I majored in Film and Media and immersed myself in sports production, working with the Temple football team on highlights and coaches’ film. From there, I landed internships with the Philadelphia Union and then the Philadelphia Eagles, where I spent six years as an Associate Producer and then Producer, followed by three years with the Carolina Panthers as a Senior Managing Producer.

After a decade working on the team side, I founded Upside Films with a clear mission: to use the power of video to tell compelling stories that drive impact for the biggest names in sports. We believe every team, player, brand, and program has a story worth telling, and we bring the expertise, experience, and creativity to bring those stories to life.

What sets us apart is our singular focus on sports. We work exclusively in this space, which means we understand the pace, demands, and intricacies of sports production better than most. Whether it’s a full-scale production or a one-off project, we pride ourselves on flexibility and speed without ever compromising quality. We own and operate all our own gear, including a fully equipped 1-ton grip truck, allowing us to be on-site and ready to roll at a moment’s notice. Sports move fast, and so do we—whether it’s covering a player’s first 24 hours with a new team or capturing the energy of a championship moment, we’re built for it.

At the end of the day, our work is about more than just video—it’s about storytelling that resonates, inspires, and elevates the game.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Our strongest source of new clients has undoubtedly been word of mouth. While we continue to refine our marketing strategies as we grow, our foundation has always been built on delivering an exceptional experience—going above and beyond for our clients to the point where they feel compelled to share their experience with others.

The sports world is a tight-knit industry, and we recognize the power of reputation. For us, the most important project is always the next one. We approach every job with the same level of passion and commitment as our clients, ensuring that the final product speaks for itself. When we put that level of care into our work, it naturally leads to trust, strong relationships, and organic growth.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We make it a priority to stay front of mind with our clients. As I mentioned earlier, when people think of elite sports production, I want them to think of Upside Films—and that means maintaining strong, genuine relationships. Many of our clients come from my time on the team side, where we built trust and camaraderie long before Upside was even formed. That foundation of mutual respect has naturally translated into long-term loyalty.

To stay connected, we send out a quarterly email showcasing our latest projects while also highlighting the incredible work our clients are doing. For those in our region, we make an effort to meet in person—whether it’s at an event, over lunch or coffee, brainstorming sessions, or simply checking in to see how they’re doing. For us, staying in touch isn’t just about business; it’s about fostering real, lasting relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.UpsideFilms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upsidefilmsllc/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/81667115/admin/dashboard/
• Other: Our gondola which shows all the projects we’ve been a part of and the engagement that they have created: https://gondola.cc/UpsideFilmsLLC