Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monty Hobbs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Monty thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Divine Renovation Season I with Erik Estrada was the production that changed me. The production was a labor of love on every level. We faced so many obstacles including working out of my home garage as a production office, relying on my local community for donations of not only products and services but of their time as well, to even filming during a hurricane! Season I was a proof of concept that is performing at a level that we can only call “divine”. One year and counting has flown by since Season 1 first aired and we are streaming on all the major platforms, building a robust following on social media, partnering with exceptional brands that share our core values, like 101 Mobility, and most recently winning the Silver Telly Award for best branded content.

Monty, 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?

With over 20 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, my enthusiasm for film and production has developed from so many amazing experiences on set, being involved with wonderful teams of cast and crew in several successful projects. Although each project offers its own unique and memorable experience, some of my fondest are HBO’s “East Bound and Down”, Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow”, New Line Cinema’s “We’re the Millers”, Universal Studio’s “The Favorite”, Warner Bros. “Swamp Thing”, Hulu’s “Reprisal”, and Miramax’s “The Exorcism”. In my most recent feature film ” The Thursday Night Club”, (featuring Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut, and based on Steven Manchester’s successful novel of the same name) the story follows five college friends as they embark on a series of charitable projects that not only change the lives of those around them but change their own lives as well. My current business partner and co-founder of Just Do GOOD Entertainment with me, Valerie Smaldone, was also an executive producer and director of the film. We were and still are so proud that “The Thursday Night Club” was recognized by The Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA) as “Best Inspirational Film of 2022” and received a New York International Film Award. The movie also earned a Dove Seal of Approval with a rating of 8 out 10, and was nominated by The Rome Independent Prisma Awards for Best Film. This inspirational and feel-good movie is currently airing on multiple platforms.
Seeing how warmly the movie was received, Valerie and I knew that content in this lane needed to be created, but with a twist. Feature films take a lot of time and resources, but producing a docu-series is a speedier process and allows us to introduce factors such as kindness and community in our content. “Divine Renovation” does just that. We identify individuals or facilities in need of home enhancements, and bring together businesses, not for profits, volunteers and houses of worship to help us make these important changes. We also provide a “spiritual uplift” for the people we feature, by gifting them with some kind of delightful surprise. Valerie and I truly believe that small actions create big impacts, and so, each episode of “Divine Renovation” focuses on a personal, and at times surprising journey of families in need and those who give of their time and talents to improve the lives of others. “Divine Renovation, Season I” is now streaming on all major platforms with Season 2 airing on 09/19/2024 on Amazon, Tubi and Roku.
I’ve had some really amazing experiences with some unique and special people. What I’ve noticed through my interactions with people is the common thread that there is good in everyone, and people have the desire to share in that goodness and kindness. We want to participate in the basic instinct to help each other and to “just do GOOD.” It’s through these efforts of sharing goodness that Valerie and I launched Just Do GOOD Entertainment. www.justdogoodent.com

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

My most recent read and a practice that I am trying to implement daily is: “Ego is the Enemy” by Ryan Holiday. This thinking distorts failures and successes because the ego is subjective. The understanding of how one’s ego gets in the way and learning how to rein it in helps to create balance. And balance creates results.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At Just Do GOOD Entertainment, our goal is simple: to create content that highlights core values integrating familiar faces from years past. The media landscape is ever changing, and we know that an older demographic is seeking content that resonates with them. We don’t want to leave that audience behind. In the content that Valerie and I create, we are deeply interested in representing veterans, creating disability awareness, providing story lines that celebrate small town heroes and values, and bringing people, businesses and communities together. While there is so much divisiveness around us, our goal is to celebrate that which we have in common.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.justdogoodent.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monty_ncfilm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinerenovationtheseries
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/101846793/admin/dashboard