We were lucky to catch up with Rashad Harrell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rashad, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
Rock is the nickname my dad gave me growing up. My family has a heavy background in music. My older brother Mark started his rap career and I watched him grow but didn’t go as far as he wanted it to go. So I started rapping as well and dropped the k in my nickname. I called myself Rocboxster. Me and my older cousin Nay started a group Cool Players International then went on to change the name to Fatt and Skinny. We produced most of our music and recorded ourselves in our at home studio. We made several albums but to didn’t go as far as we wanted it to as well. So in 2016 I decided to try shooting and editing music videos for other independent rap artist within my city. Now this is it, I said to myself. I feel in love with it. I was doing something I love and was still able to be amongst older and mainly new up and coming rap artist. I need a name, I said to myself. Roc is my nickname I’m now in the film industry so I’ll go with Reels and this will be the best Media company around. And that’s how I came up with Roc Reels Media.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As I started Roc Reels Media I gained the knowledge and skills to shoot cinematic music videos, corporate events, commercials as well as short films. A lot of late nights and early mornings I was up working on my craft. Editing is the fun part of it. Learning new ways to color correct and different effects to use in each project. I made this my full time job. I noticed a lot of my clients didn’t know exactly what they wanted but they always had an idea of what they wanted. So it made me actually write a script for them and/or write out a story board for any particular project I was working on at that time. I love what I do and the passion I have for it is amazing. It takes a lot of discipline and long hours to be great, so I had in my head I’m doing whatever it takes to accomplish each task in a timely matter. Also going over and beyond to insure every client is 100% satisfied.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
My best source of new clients was BWA Kane. We met through a mutual friend at the time did most of his photography work. We had a meeting and Kane decided he’ll allow me to shoot his behind the scenes performance videos, which led to me being his personal videographer. I then went on tour with him a few times. The first was 9 cities in 8 days. I’ve met a lot of other artist while on tour with him that led to more clients, Like Lil Boosie and behind the scenes with another top cinematographer Joey Spike. I’ve also worked with the late Slimm 400 as well as 2Eleven out of California. This was a major opportunity to do something I love to do and get paid while doing it. The best part of it all is being around like minded individuals who truly appreciate my craft and the work I’m doing.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding to me was going out of the country to Istanbul and Antalya Turkey to shoot 5 music videos. We were only there a week or so but it was definitely the perfect scenery and energy I needed to get my creative juices flowing. Being in Turkey during that time I had the opportunity to work with Murlibo an artist and producer from Ireland. Which also led to me shooting a music video for him. This trip was well worth the 12 hour flight. 4 out of the 5 videos landed on BET Jamz. All I kept saying to myself was Thank you God for this amazing opportunity and I can’t wait for what you have in store for me from now and years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rocreels.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rocreels?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RocReels?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rocreels2453