Cinematographer Sean Taylor on Why He Started a Video Production Business

What is the first movie you remember seeing in a movie theater? For Philadelphia based videographer and editor Sean Taylor, Superman rings the bell. “I never forgot the scene when baby girl fell over the GIGANTIC waterfall and Superman saved her,” he says. Ever since those early days of visits to the cinema with his dad, Sean has worked on several short films as a director, camera operator, sound mixer and producer throughout his 20+ year career as a production specialist. 

Originally from Connecticut, Sean prides himself on exercising professionalism and creativity to produce quality content in high pressure environments while honing his craft at major companies including ESPN, ABC News and NASCAR. “I know how it feels to go live with no room for error,” adds this Janet Jackson fan who watches Kung Fu movies when he needs a pick-me-up. 

Unable to find another job after being laid off in the summer of 2013, Sean created Visual Jedi, a video production service that gives him the opportunity to work on films, music videos, commercials and corporate videos for a wide range of clients. “I never wanted to feel like the rug was pulled from under my feet again!” says Sean.  

Despite having challenges finding good people to hire, he always wanted to work in a professional production house that allowed him to work on many different projects and meet people from all walks of life. Sean cites Catch Me If You Can, the crime drama about a skilled forger who passes as a doctor, lawyer and pilot while being chased by an obsessed FBI agent, as a movie that would help you understand his experiences as a business owner. 

“I feel like it's me alone against the world,” he says while adding that this film -- starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Christopher Walken – has the best lessons that can be applied to running a small business. “If you don't believe in yourself...no one else will.”

Sean travels to many cities such as Miami, Florida and Memphis, Tennessee, using Visual Jedi’s production services to help people achieve their dreams from concept to completion. 

Within the last year, he’s also brought his love for the art of storytelling to the Short Film Slam’s 2020-2021 season as our new jury president.  

He attributes his long career to a natural ability to produce content out of thin air, being tech savvy and “keeping up to date with today's technology and software in a never-ending changing world.”

In the meantime, he’s enjoying watching films with a good plot and training the next generation of video professionals while looking to add more 4K cameras to his production arsenal.