We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Trevor Hancock. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Trevor below.

Trevor, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

It’s about aligning your passion with your purpose and surrounding yourself with people who support and enrich your journey. It’s not always about financial success or recognition, but learning what fills your cup and who enriches your life the most.

For me, one of the biggest lessons in this came when I first moved to Atlanta. I took a leap of faith to pursue filmmaking, but it wasn’t just the work itself that made it worthwhile. It was the friendships I formed and the creative collaborations that gave me a sense of fulfillment. Even when I was working on challenging projects or facing setbacks, being surrounded by people who understood and supported me made all the difference. The best thing to come from my life was my wife who makes me feel more fulfilled than anyone I’ve ever met. She reminds me of what’s important and to be kind to myself.

Success isn’t a destination, it’s the ability to continuously do what brings you joy, with people who inspire and uplift you. That’s the kind of success I want to continue to strive for.

Trevor, 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?

For those who don’t know me yet, I’m a filmmaker fueled by nostalgia. Growing up in a small town in Tennessee, I was always drawn to the storytelling and magic of movies and pop culture from the 80s and 90s, especially classics like Back to the Future and Star Wars. Originally, I dreamed of becoming an animator, but once I picked up a camera, I knew film was where my heart truly belonged. The combination of visual storytelling, collaboration, and creative freedom has kept me grounded in this industry.

I decided to move to Atlanta from Cleveland, TN, about 5 years ago to dive deeper into the filmmaking scene. Atlanta has been a game-changer for me. I’ve had the privilege to work with a wide range of clients, from big brands like All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Fox Sports, NASCAR, Coca-Cola, Shaky Knees, and DDPY (DDP Yoga), to more niche and personal projects, like music videos with Teddy Swims and behind-the-scenes work for Good Company with Scott Bowling. Each project, whether large or small, is an opportunity to bring a unique vision to life.

In terms of services, I work as a director, cinematographer, and video editor. My projects range from short films and music videos to commercials and branded content. What I provide is not just technical expertise behind the camera or in the editing room, but a deep understanding of storytelling, creativity, and audience engagement. I aim to craft content that resonates emotionally and visually with the viewer. My work is often described as being rich in nostalgia and heart, and I love capturing moments that evoke strong feelings or memories.

What sets me apart is my commitment to creating stories that feel genuine, fun, and full of life. I come from a place of deep passion for the craft, but also from a place of personal connection. I believe filmmaking should leave you with something – whether it’s a feeling of joy, a bit of inspiration, or a lasting memory. This philosophy is what drives me and my creative process.

I’m particularly proud of my work with AEW, where I developed my skills in fast-paced environments and learned how to think on my feet. One of my proudest moments was receiving an Emmy nomination for behind-the-scenes work on a Super Bowl segment with Anthony Mackie. And of course, there was the surreal moment when Tony Hawk liked and shared one of my videos, which is still wild to think about!

If there’s one thing I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about my work, it’s that I pour everything into what I do. Every frame, every cut, and every moment is crafted with thought, care, and passion. I don’t just aim to make something cool – I aim to make something meaningful. Whether it’s a micro-short film, a commercial, or a larger narrative piece, I want to create work that leaves an impact.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is that moment when you finish a project or complete a difficult task that at one point seemed impossible. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when you push through all the challenges, doubts, and roadblocks, and finally see the finished product. It’s like turning a vision into reality, and that process can be a rollercoaster of emotions. But when you reach the finish line, and you watch what you’ve created, there’s nothing quite like it.

As someone who has ADHD finishing anything is a huge accomplishment for me.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“____ makes you less of a filmmaker.”

I’ve heard it all.

“If you don’t have this camera you’re less of a filmmaker.”

“If you don’t know how to do this you’re less of a filmmaker.”

“If you can’t do this you’re less of a filmmaker.”

I call BS. The only thing that will make you less of a filmmaker or any type of artist is if you simply stop. If you stop or don’t want to be a filmmaker anymore that’s the only way that will happen. If Martin Scorsese stopped using an industry-standard camera no one would call him less of a filmmaker. If Luke Skywalker stopped using a certain lightsaber no one would call him less of a Jedi.

A former employer once asked me to do a very specific audio effect and my response was I didn’t know how to do it, but I would figure it out. His response was “Well then you’re not an actual filmmaker if you don’t understand this.” That bothered me deeply at the time, but in hindsight, that guy was the one who didn’t understand what it meant to be a filmmaker.

Make your own definition, but don’t tell someone else they’re less of something just because they don’t meet your specific definition.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trevorhancock.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portabletrevor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-hancock/
• Twitter: https://x.com/PortableTrevor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PortableTrevor
• Other: trevorhancock.com/shopEmail: [email protected]

Image Credits

Joe Funk Photography