Submitted Photo Film Story is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon-3 p.m. Friday. For more information, call (229) 329-7422.

VALDOSTA — College is a time for self-exploration and experimentation; Damian Grey found a career and a passion.

Grey is the owner of Film Story, a video production company that focuses on storytelling through video production.

“We help capture stories that need to be told,” Grey said.

Prior to his tenure at Valdosta State University, Grey had never spent time working with cameras. He was more into the music scene.

“I originally went to VSU for music production,” he said. “I think I at one point in my career at VSU I was able to pick up a camera, and it was one of those you can see the seed that comes from the forest kind of things.

“When I graduated from VSU in 2013, I started as a freelance videographer. I knew I wanted to do that. Fast forward that five years later it turned into a passion to tell stories.”

When he opened Film Story in September, Grey said he wanted to use his videography skills to tell residents and businesses stories.

“We use a simple storytelling process for businesses and individuals, so that businesses and individuals can feel comfortable telling their story,” he said. “Stories are the one thing that everyone relates to. Stories are the glue that makes everything that we say and do relatable to whoever watches it.”

Grey knows there are other skilled videographers in Valdosta, but he is emphasizing his skill as a storyteller with his new business.

“Everyone knows the day and age that we live in,” he said. “Technology is growing everyday and it’s great having the technical skill for videography, but I don’t think that technical skill is enough on its own. To understand the company’s story and identify the best way to tell that story is our heart, that’s our goal.”

Film Story focuses on three genres of storytelling: corporate, weddings and real estate.

Grey works with corporations to find their story, or to refine it to be told through video.

“My main focus when I’m working with any corporate client is listening,” he said. “I’m listening to what they are wanting. What their goal is with this story, what it is they are trying to share and what it is they are trying to relate to their client.

“Once I’m there — it’s like a machine that’s going on in my head — I’m able to filter out and tell them here’s what I think they are wanting to do. I internalize the information, and turn it into a story.”

As a business owner, Grey said he understands businesses are looking for some sort of return on the investment placed in Film Story.

“The question is always what is my return on my investment,” he said. “For me, what it comes down to is we want to be able to give your company a platform online. A foundation.

“When it comes to video production, it is the gap that connects a client from not knowing who you are, what you are doing and how it helps their life. The return in investment is longevity. People will have a place to go to online to learn who you are.”

Weddings are fairly normal, Grey said. But he prefers to work the full wedding day, not just the ceremony.

“Most weddings have a similar fashion in how they go about capturing the day,” he said. “We always prefer going for full day, full ceremony highlight films.

“The main thing with weddings is capturing the audio. Those are the things that combine to make the video more than a video, but a memoir for generations afterward.”

For real estate, Grey videos full room footage and drone footage of the house.

“Real estate is one of the more tangible things that we do,” he said. “We are not interviewing a house or the family members. We are providing a commodity for the real estate company. We want to be able to help bridge that gap between a family that is there in person and the family watching the video online.”

While his business is new, Grey is hoping to find ways to incorporate the three college-level schools in Valdosta in his business, he said. He wants to find ways to give students internships so they can have practical videographer experience when they graduate.

“I’m a big advocate of wanting to help our community grow,” he said. “So, when I think about upcoming workforce development or kids growing up wanting to have their own business, I want them to be brought up on the economy where it isn’t focused on one person growing, but the entire community.

“My vision for now is working on creating internships that work with event point where we will give them opportunities to have onsite experience filming to help bridge the gaps to grow the content creator.”

Film Story is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon-3 p.m. Friday. For more information, call (229) 329-7422.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.