Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ayden Case.
Hi Ayden, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My passion for filmmaking began with childhood memories of my dad’s home videos, sparking a love for storytelling. I was fascinated with behind-the-scenes content on YouTube when I got my first iPod. This led to hours spent making goofy cops, and robber skits with my brothers. In middle school, my friend and I made a shared channel where we made hilariously cringe videos fueled by a desire to make ourselves and people laugh.
In high school, a Digital Media class reignited my creative spark after some time was spent away from making content. The skills I learned in that class encouraged me to collaborate on more little projects with the people around me, leading to unforgettable memories. My first year at Mid Michigan College introduced me to the art of photography, which was loaded with like-minded people who I eventually got to know and become good friends with. My professor always preached how important it is to tell a story in your pictures, and that always stuck with me. After falling in love with this art form, I gathered many decent photos in my camera roll that I loved to look at but felt like I needed to do something more with them.
During feverish creativity, I launched a photography page on Instagram, where I share bundles of moments as entries into my psyche, reflective of the passing chapters of my life, for others to relate to. Meanwhile, some encouragement from my dad led me to discover Ideology Productions, a professional production company in Grand Rapids, which aligned perfectly with my aspirations of working in the industry.
Almost a year later, I am living and working in Grand Rapids. I have worked with that company, contributing to commercial shoots, behind-the-scenes editing projects, and photography shoots. It feels like a dream, and I am beyond grateful for the journey that has brought me full circle to where I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It surely has not been a smooth road. The passing of my mother in 2019 was a time of indescribable grief and feeling lost. Thankfully, I was surrounded by many amazing people, both family and friends, who made the whole process much easier and helped me keep my head up.
I know that’s what she would want, and I know that she has been with me every step of the way to get where I am today. I feel so incredibly lucky to be in this position, and I owe her and the universe an enormous debt of gratitude for all they have done for me these past few years and my entire life.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been doing work for Michigan’s largest virtual production studio called Golden Hour, powered by the incredible minds at Ideology Productions. I have been on set filming behind-the-scenes footage, which later gets edited at home. I help set up and tear down sets, put props on palettes, and otherwise be as helpful as I can.
My expertise shines through the making of these videos. Getting to film on set opens the door to more freedom in the edit and makes for an experimental video that is still indicative of my style. I’m most proud of being able to do this as a job because it is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Believing in myself has been key to my success.
There have been many times in the past when I would get down on myself or tell myself that I wasn’t good at doing this thing or that thing, and I got in my way by not even trying. Once I got rid of that pressure on myself that everything had to be perfect, then everything changed and I learned a ton in the process.
Pricing:
- $300/day for video shoots
- $35/hr for post-production
- $100/shoot for portraits
- $10/edited image
Contact Info:
- Website: aydencase.net
- Instagram: @case.captures
Image Credits
Verge Magazine
