River Rock Media Group was founded by Cameron Powell, who is a senior Music Business and Entrepreneurship major with a minor in photography at Belmont University. River Rock Media Group is a Nashville-based company that engages video production and photography that combines professionalism with artistic creativity to service the Nashville music industry.
Cameron started doing video production and photography back in middle school. He got his early exposure as the camera operator for his middle school's news show and by producing a sports highlight video for his school's athletic teams.
Cameron soon discovered that he could actually make money in video work when he began taping weddings.
"You have to start somewhere, and if you are trying to do video or photography, then weddings are a very good way to build a reputation and get start-up money."
However, since he didn't own much equipment, Cameron demonstrated his bootstrapping skills.
"I remember using a home video camera -- a loner from a family friend, a camera from the school, and the editing bay at my middle school to tape his first wedding."
During high school, in addition to recordiong more weddings, he began to tape dance recitals. Unlike the majority of teenagers with a few dollars to burn, Cameron invested the money back into his fledgling business, purchasing his own equipment.
Cameron came to Belmont University in the fall of 2003, and continued doing video production. However, he had to build a new client base, which proved to be a formidable task.
"I had to learn how to deal with my customers differently. When I was at home, [in Kentucky] everybody knew me. Yet, when I got to Nashville, I had to learn a whole new ballgame."
He started slow by taping simple senior recitals for music majors and promos for different student organizations on campus. Cameron basically was "looking for anybody with a need for a video."
During his time at Belmont, Cameron has expanded his services to include professional photography for the Nashville music industry.
Cameron's big break came when he was contracted by Word Entertainment to produce some promotional material. Word, a Christian music label, gave him an avenue to the music world. After a couple successful projects with Word, Provident Label Group (another Christian music label) contracted for his services.
River Rock Media Group currently does not have any full-time employees. So far, Cameron has contracted work out to other professions when he has needed additional help on a project. One of his goals is to see his company continue to grow to point that he will add on full-time employees. He projects this will happen by 2008. He also holds an aspiration for River Rock Media Group to become a full High-Definition production company, which will allow him to meet the needs created by this emerging trend in the market.
River Rock Media Group is currently doing final editing and mastering on a documentary film that will be aired on PBS nationally.
(Thanks to Jordan Drake for his help on this entry).
