This month we are featuring Poptent Pro, Eric McCoy! He’s been a Poptent member since July 2012 and has since been a finalist six times, purchased four times, and has participated in seven private assignments! Eric teamed up with his production partner-in-crime Justus Meyer combining their skills to tell some really great stories on camera. One of their most recent successes on Poptent was their spot titled “A Letter To Mom” submitted to Famous Footwear’s Victory Is Yours assignment. Just in time for Mother’s Day, Eric and Justus pulled off a moving spot that gives us chills and will have you reaching for the phone to call your own mom. Plus, just this weekend “A Letter To Mom” went from 38,000 to 119,000 views on YouTube! Check out this interview with Eric who was cool enough to offer up some insights on his process!

Why Poptent? When did you first get your start on Poptent?
In the fall of 2012 my producing partner, Justus Meyer, and I had each quit our jobs as assistants and were looking for a creative outlet for our pent-up imaginations. Relieved to no longer be taking coffee orders, we wrote, casted, shot, and delivered a spot for Bolla Wine in six days; without a second hesitation. Shortly afterward, we were engaged by the Poptent staff to participate in a private assignment. Before long, we had created three pieces of work in a little under two months! We knew we were in the right place.

What made you decide to start making films? Have you always been interested in producing commercials?
My father used to take me to a dingy second-run movie theater in Chicago when I was a kid. I loved it; we’d go once, sometimes twice a week. I chose a high-school with a TV program, where they’d let you check out video cameras, and made my first short during my sophomore year. Justus and I are still filmmakers a heart, but commercials allow us to practice the art of telling stories every day.

How would you describe your story-telling process? Do you draw from experiences in your own life?
I like to think of each story I tell as a memory being made. In my mind, nostalgia does this incredible thing: it clarifies each character’s intentions and strengthens the colors in their world. It’s strange, but all my memories have vibrant colors in them. Even if they’re sad ones, the blues and purples still pop. For some reason, I’m also able to empathize with every character (even if they picked on me in high school.) I’m still friends with all my ex-girlfriends. The sense of clarity that nostalgia brings, and the vibrance we see in our memories, is what I hope to translate to the cinema.

Let’s talk a little about your recent purchase in Poptent’s Famous Footwear assignment. What inspired you to tell this specific story?
Justus and I were thinking about all the missed opportunities we’ve had, where we should’ve said something, but didn’t articulate it in time. We thought, “what if—for once—moms everywhere got to hear the things that should be said to them everyday?” In a way, this project serves as a reminder that we have to pay more attention to the present, and always say what we feel.

What tips would you give to new Poptent’ers who just joined and may not know where to start?
Team up with somebody to collaborate with; someone you really like, as a person. In film, nobody does it alone. The economy is forcing the industry towards shooter-producers and one-man-bands. Resist this. Find people you like hanging out with, and work together. Everyone has a skill they’re just itching to hone. Write what you know, and shoot what you have. You don’t need to rent out a bowling alley or close down a street to tell a story. Some of the best ideas come out of the constraints of limited resources. Watch other people’s work. It will spark ideas you never thought existed. Finally, keep swinging. Your “sure winners” will lose, but others will pleasantly surprise you. The important thing is to take note of how you can improve. If I can learn something new on every assignment, I’m happy with the outcome (regardless of what the client thinks.)

What are your career goals?
Justus and I eventually hope to produce feature films. There are many miles of road between now and the red carpet, but we know what needs to be done, we just have to do it.

Any final thoughts?
Keep swinging.