Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Hadley.
Hi Travis, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2013, my best friend of over 30 years began sending me scripts from prison. He had always been a gifted writer, but addiction got the better of him; however, being incarcerated for about four years by then, sobriety had begun to unshackle his creativity. At any rate, over that year, scripts began to collect on my floor, the stories were good, honest, and real. I had two choices, become his literary agent, or produce the projects myself. I had no experience in either, but in 2015, I created Like Minds Productions and set out on the latter. In 2014, I decided to get back to the craft of acting which I had done since I was a kid in elementary school. With Full Sail and UCF both casting quite often for student projects, I made several contacts with budding filmmakers and professionals. The relationships I forged were the seeds Like Minds Productions were built from and continue to germinate to this day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working a full-time job, raising a family, and building a business from the ground up is the most challenging thing I have ever done in my life to date and simultaneously the most rewarding experience. Making the time to assure that loved ones never go without my attention or time, while also making sure the deadlines for my full-time jobs are not missed and studying to improve skills for this new industry all require long hours, but I would not trade the past six years for anything. Through my actions, I have taught my family and myself that if something is important to you, whether it’s a personal or professional endeavor, you can make the time for it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a writer, producer, and director, or simply a Creative. I am most proud working with the passionate partners of Like Minds Productions, creating authentic narratives and documentaries. Folks like Nakia Ford (CMO), who is one of the most gifted creatives I have known and worked with almost from the start of the company; Christian Rodriguez (COO), the producing genius, who no matter what we envision, manages to see sure that we stay on time and budget; Ricardo Cortez-Ortiz CEO, of Classy Rooster LLC, has been a collaborative partner with Like Minds from the very beginning; Samantha Marrero, a talented and passionate filmmaker with enthusiasm that sparks every project she has worked on since joining the team in 2019; and founding member, and my best friend, D.E. Xavier, whose words on a page inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, and embark on this creative journey. All skilled filmmakers in their own right, who had no reason to trust me, but for some reason did, connecting to create diverse award-winning projects.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Believe in yourself, your worth and success can only be measured by you. You cannot do it alone; connect with people who share your passion and vision, and work collaboratively from start to finish. Many hands make light work, and a smart person surrounds themselves with people who can make them smarter. All of these pieces require you letting your ego take a break.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@likemindsproductions.com
- Website: likemindsproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likemindsproductions/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/LikeMindsProductions/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LikeMindsProds
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKZOTyrAClULjXrmhMk-55Q
Image Credits
BTS Photo Credit: Brandon Vasquez
