We were lucky to catch up with Gian Marco Dela Cruz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Gian Marco, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was always a fan of creatives and the arts before even understanding that it was possible to pursue it myself. In middle school I taught myself how to dance just by copying all of Chris Brown’s moves in all of his music videos like “Yo (Excuse Me Miss)” and “Run It.” My true intention was to impress all the girls I had been crushing on at the time, so I danced the entire music video choreography at our school dance. As a 7th grader, I had no idea what I was doing but the thrill I got from performing in front of everyone got me hooked. I wish I had gotten it on video, but I’m not even sure the latest and greatest cell phones had a video feature on it.

I took this new found love and explored dance, movement, music, and performance in high school. I hit all cylinders as a performer of the arts. My cousins that moved to America from the Philippines had a big role in unlocking more of my tastes and truly understanding the genres of music. I too was born in the Philippines and moved to America when I was too young enough to even remember. My father would always play the same classic CD’s in his car while we would drive and my Mom would always sing her heart out in karaoke. All things music were subliminally in my life, but it wasn’t until high school were I could truly fathom the potential love from a creative/artistic path.

I learned how to sing with the help of our Filipino traditions of non-stop karaoke at family parties and learned how to harmonize by singing with my cousins. I ended up joining choir, musical theater, and became one of the first males to join our dance team at Claremont High School in California. I performed at pep rallies, school plays, football games, and more. From Freshman to Senior Year of Highschool I grew into the charismatic individual that I never thought I could be.

I carried this on into College at Azusa Pacific University where I became the director of choreography for the Hip Hop Ministry team on campus. We performed at big chapel events, held our own philanthropic events, and many more through the ministry. I grew up Catholic, so being able to dive into a new way of worshiping God was incredible. This made me realized that with the right mindset you can use the creative arts for so much more. It was so much bigger and my passion for it all grew to a whole new level.

While I was in College, I was also training at a dance studio called “Stylz Studio” in West Covina, CA. under our director Jay Chris Moore. We competed against the greatest around California at World of Dance and many other competitions in cities like San Francisco and San Diego. I had the privilege of representing the USA in the World Finals for Hip Hop International in 2011 and competing against the best of the best around the world.

This later led me to be involved in building the world renown studio “The Lab” in Azusa, CA with Carrie Calkins and Valerie Ramirez. Along with many other experiences with competition studios in the Southern California area, I unfortunately grew apart from dance and the arts all together after graduating from college in 2015. I did not see a future in dance, singing, or even being a creative.

I packed my bags, threw a curveball, and moved to Nashville, TN. Everyone in my community and circle of friends were completely shocked by my decision. It was a place I grew fond of since I had been visiting with my Mom in 2011 to see my uncle and family out there. It was quiet, peaceful, and just random enough where I knew I could get away from my life in California. I just wanted a fresh start and I wanted to just be your average corporate civilian. Straight out of college, I got my first job working as a Tech Specialist with Apple Inc.

The corporate lifestyle was fine. I felt secure financially. My schedule was controlled and was the same everyday. I was in this routine for two years straight and even got a new husky puppy, named Gannicus, in the family to try and spice up the routine.

There was a void internally and I did not know how to fill it. I started to create what people call “Content” nowadays without knowing that this was the start of something new. I would just make videos of myself doing random things. I started on the basics of post production work like how to cut videos up based on musicality, add transitions, and how to color grade. I would record on my phone and my old Go Pro Hero 4. I would compile vlog style videos and my edits became longer. Since I worked from home with Apple, Inc. I did this at my desk simultaneously. I was learning a new craft just because I loved how it made me feel when my final video was done. I started showing my final edits to my Mom and family in the household. Their reaction to these videos gave me an even bigger thrill!

That was it. I truly did find something again in the artistic and creative space. This time it was behind the lens instead of in front of it. Did I know I can make money from this? Definitely not. I just loved doing it and that is when you have found a true life treasure.

The next question was; aside from cringy Pokemon Go vlogs and adventure recaps of my travels, what else do I film?

Just like that dance came back into my life and so did my love for it. When I was in the dance industry back in California some of my favorite choreographers like Brian Puspos, Pat Cruz, Keone, Ian Eastwood, and others would make these insane videos of their work. Productions like Commonless would showcase choreography in a conceptual style video. This would include so many different aspects of creativity. A script, a story line, a protagonist, and so many more things I loved were created in one composition of art. At the time, I would literally watch these classic videos a million times with my dance homies. We would just be on youtube showing each other all the new releases from our favorite choreographers.

With all of that being said, it clicked in my head that that was something I wanted to do! In 2015 when I moved out to Nashville, I really didn’t know if it had a dance scene nor did I see any “content” anywhere from any dancer that came close to what I used to watch from your choreographers in the West Coast. In 2016, I was later introduced to one of the best dance gems in Nashville; The Pro Trac. It was run by two individuals that helped catapult my videography to the next stage. Zack and Dorinda Walker trusted me with their Nikon D5600 to film classes for their studio and learn the craft of it all. They gave me all the basics on how to use an actual DSLR like F-Stop, Shutter Speed, ISO, and more in a crash course of 1 hour. I was hooked.
I brought the camera home and just practiced every single day while I was still working at home with Apple. This camera was all manual focus and no IBIS. So not only did I get good at pulling focus but also training my body and hands to be an internal steadicam too. Some of the first master classes I filmed at The Pro Trac were choreographers like Marc Marvelous, Saidah Nairobi, and Jeremy Green.

I filmed pro bono for about two years. I wanted to learn the craft and really just enjoyed the privilege of doing so. I was still working at a corporation simultaneously, so finances were balanced and I was investing my time into it all. It wasn’t until one of my friends Courtni Poe asked me to do a “recap video” of her heels class at a new studio called “Milele Academy” where I was offered my first paid video job. I took this opportunity and every one following that to show the dance scene that I was someone who can film their classes better than anyone in the area. It took some time to build that rapport. I was really just the second choice for every choreographer in the city, but I took every single opportunity as a way to showcase how I should be their first choice.

In 2017, I started to make just enough noise in the dance scene for people to start asking who I was and where I came from. That is when I came up with my official production name, Sayyo Production. I was known as “Sayyo” to the dance community and eventually became a regular videographer for the teachers at Millenium Dance Complex.

This was only the beginning of a new life as a creative and I already wanted to take it to the next level as my career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I worked corporate for 7-8 years straight out of college. I worked for Apple Inc. as a technical advisor and then became a fraud specialist for Postmates. I had to work these nine to fives to keep my dream alive. This helped me understand so many aspects in the business world that I later would implement in my own business.

I graduated with a bachelors in Psychology with an emphasis in Business Administration and minored in Leadership. I had already been quality trained as a people person through the fine practices of the food industry during college. I worked as dish washer and worked my way up to be a bus boy until I finally became a server. From freshman year to senior year, I was a server at Inka Trails Restaurant in Claremont, CA. I was privileged to be working under Patricia and the Rodriguez family. They by far have the best Peruvian cuisine recipes in the planet. I learned the art of fine dining and how to cater to all different kinds of people. People with money, people without, humble families, loud obnoxious family, and all of the above came through those doors.

With all of that being said, I had tons of professional experience to help maintain my own business. It wasn’t until 2020 where I truly decided to just branch off and completely do videography and choreography full time.

I had already been slowly building my name as a creative in Nashville since 2017. I had worked my first professional job as a dancer on a Thomas Rhett music video for his single “Star of the Show.” As a dancer, I didn’t realize that you can actually truly make money from it until I moved to Nashville. I was only in the competitive and community based dance scene back in California, so this was truly all new to me.

I worked my way into the dance industry scene and started to teach at Millenium Dance Complex. I built my name as a choreographer and it lead to be able to teach at all the main studios around the Tennessee area. I remember first starting to establish my name as a choreographer and how people had no idea that I could dance too. It made so much more sense to everyone why the way I filmed dancers was so unique compared to most. Nowadays, a dancer that was also capable of filming other dancers became more and more common, but when I first started there were only so few.

As a dancer, the practice of musicality, coordination, timing, and so many more skillsets translated so well as a videographer. I believe it personally gave me an edge when compared to your average videographer. That extra sauce and sex appeal when it came to content creation is highly desired in all genres of clientele.

The age of content and even to the switch of vertical format for socials has been a quick curve to climb. I understood that early and adjusted my entire style of delivery to cater to that format. I immediately started to implement this to all the dance content I was doing and offered it as a new way of innovating anyones brand on social media.

With the combination of being a known name in the dance scene in Nashville and “Sayyo” being a regular name to hear about the momentum around my business started to pick up.

Sayyo Production was always just a vision for me, but never did I think it would be as big as it became. I feel like I am only getting started. I have already started creating more connection out of the Tennessee area like Atlanta, Miami, and even re-connecting with some of my connection in Los Angeles.

I have three incredible creatives that help build up what Sayyo Production is. Natalie Aaron is my artist relations and executive management consultant for the industry in Nashville, not to mention my wonderful fiance. Brandon Swgert is my partner in crime for all things Sayyo. He has been with me since I took my Sayyo Production into full throttle in 2020. He has build his clientele and skill set as his own video creative. Hollon Beasley is our newest member of the crew and her unique and modern way behind the lens is extraordinary. Her take on film under “Hunnibaby Creative” is what really got me seeing what she will be capable of in the video world. There are a few more that contribute to the team and our entire clientele have become a family. We have never paid for advertisements and we have grown our name just based on word of mouth. Our clients and the rapport we built from each and every person on the team is a product of that.

Sayyo Production was built around the idea of keeping the customer experience simple. We give ease in the process of professional filming and give our clients leaving having the best time while creating some incredible content. The slogan of “Just Sayyo” was created due to fact that I say “yo” a lot. So it started to just flow out of my mouth when people would ask if they needed something from me, I would just tell them to “just say yo.” Sayyo if the pronunciation is slightly changed, can also mean “dance” (sayaw) and “your or for you” (sa iyo) in Tagolog which is my language as a Filipino. Not a lot of people know that last bit, but I will always integrate my filipino culture in everything I do. It is why I am the way I am. It why this business is wrapped around good, humble, and friendly vibes. We are all about happy energy and will continue to spread love and positivity everywhere we create.

There are so many sections of this summary that can be expanded ten fold. To the good, the bad, the ugly and all of which is apart of the journey of Sayyo Production. Hopefully one day, I can write a book or start a podcast to spread my story. Thank you Canvas Rebel for being apart of that story.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The freedom of time. That is what I love about being an artist and a creative. Time is completely ours. To most that can be daunting. At first I had to learn how to time manage everything, but realistically it feels like being a super hero. You are on your own agenda and you are responsible for your own success with how you use your time.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience by first following all 1500 instagram friends from college and all of my dance career. The 75 people that followed back was all I had to build from. If you love it and love the craft you put out, the followers will follow. Social media following compared to the business connections you actually have can sometimes be disconnected. Especially nowadays where you can literally buy your audience. I believe in authentic relationships with everyone I work with, and though it may be a longer process it is way more rewarding knowing that you are being paid by the people that truly respect and love your work.

Contact Info:

• Website: sayyoproduction.com and sayyoproductionlive.com
• Instagram: @gianmarcodelacruz @sayyoproduction
• Facebook: Gian Marco Dela Cruz
• Linkedin: Gian Marco Dela Cruz
• Twitter: N/A
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sayyoproductionllc9261
• Yelp: [email protected]
• Soundcloud: [email protected]
• Other: Tik Tok: Sayyoproduction

Image Credits

@nicolesmarttphotography
@nicolesmartt

Nicole Smartt