Community Highlights: Meet Kolton Rice of OpenEye Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kolton Rice

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey with video production began unexpectedly in the 6th grade when a friend, who was interested in filmmaking, asked if I’d help him out. I had some experience with cameras and editing, so I jumped in. It was a fun start, but it wasn’t until 8th grade that I realized the true potential of video. I created a short film for the Great American No Bull Challenge, a national campaign aimed at stopping bullying in schools. To my surprise, it won one of seven national awards. That was a defining moment for me—I realized that video content could make a real difference in someone’s life.

From that point, my passion for storytelling through video only grew. In 2018, I founded OpenEye Studios with the mission to combine creative storytelling and high-quality production to help businesses effectively communicate their message. Since then, I’ve worked with clients of all sizes, helping them create immersive content that drives real ROI. Today, I continue to use the power of video to help businesses tell their stories and reach their full potential.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are many challenges when running a business especially one that is deep-rooted in the creative space. Some of the hardest challenges are creating good-looking videos that actually hit the targets they are designed to hit. We aren’t just filmmakers but more business consultants with a specialty in video production.

Our clients come to us with problems they are facing whether that be employee recruitment or automating processes. Our job is to create a strategy that effectively solves the problem at hand.

In terms of just entrepreneurship, the most difficult part is the serving/selling model. As the owner I am tasked with selling the videos to clients in need, where this becomes difficult is when I need to also be a part of the creative project. Thankfully over the years we have created a strong team that can help out when needed to make this phase a breeze.

As you know, we’re big fans of OpenEye Studios. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
In 2018, I founded OpenEye Studios with a clear mission: to deliver exceptional video content that drives results. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with clients across various industries, creating story-driven content that resonates worldwide and delivers real ROI. My passion for video production, combined with a sharp eye for marketing strategy, has helped countless businesses reach their full potential through the power of video.

Our work is rooted in a documentary-style approach, allowing us to authentically capture and tell stories that connect with audiences. This approach has earned us national recognition, including two Telly Awards for excellence in video production.

At OpenEye Studios, we don’t just create videos—we build strategic video packages that set clients up for long-term success. By crafting video assets that can be leveraged for a year or more, we ensure our clients have the tools they need to continually engage their audience and grow their brand.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I really enjoy the Creatives Grab Coffee podcast—it offers a behind-the-scenes look at the video production industry that’s both insightful and relatable. It’s refreshing to hear from fellow creatives about the challenges and triumphs of the business side of production.

And when it comes to books, the list of those that have influenced my career is pretty long. But if I had to narrow it down, I’d definitely recommend The Pumpkin Plan or Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. His approach to business is unlike anything else I’ve read—he makes complex concepts easy to digest, and his writing style is engaging and fun (especially when you’re listening on Audible). Mike’s insights have really helped me rethink how I run my business, and I’d recommend his work to anyone looking to grow theirs.

Pricing:

• Our average video ranges from $3,500 – $5,000
• We offer monthly retainers to clients looking to invest in consistent high quality video content

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.openeyestudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolton_rice/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kolton.rice.9