By: Kelsey Hubbard
As re:imagine’s Communication/PR intern, I had the chance to talk to one of the co-owners of Spitfire Studios, Tripp Rhame. Spitfire Studios hosted week 1 of our Green Room summer music video camp and has been our production partner as re:imagine/ATL films and edits our pilot episode for our teen web series, No Comment. Here is what Tripp had to say.
Campers filming their music video at Spiftire Studios for artist Jennifer Chung
Kelsey: What is the vision behind Spitfire Studios?
Tripp: Spitfire’s vision is to create and produce feature films outside of the studio system while giving back to the community. We’ve been successful by reinvesting profits from commercial and corporate jobs, and have purchased all the equipment that we need to green light our own productions.
Kelsey: What's your favorite projects that has Spitfire Studios done?
Tripp: We’ve been incredibly lucky to be involved in some amazing projects over the years so it’s hard to pick my favorites. Helping launch the Stop Bullying Speak Up campaign with Cartoon Network really stands out. We went to the White House two years in a row to work with First Lady Michelle Obama and we also produced several long form commercials that played in movie theaters before the main attractions. We’ve worked with EA Sports on several campaigns - announcing their Active 2 product launch with David Beckham, chasing race cars in California and Italy for Need For Speed, and hit the streets with local skaters to kick off their SKATE 3 title. However I’d say the group effort to make our first movie BLEED, that we self financed, was the most rewarding.
Kelsey: Why did you get involved with re:imagine/ATL?
Tripp: My father was an elementary school principal and constantly strived to find creative ways to bring people, not just kids, together to strengthen the community. From the first moment I met Susanna and Addam, I was in. To see how the entire re:imagine team pours themselves into everything they do and how much they give of their time and energy is inspiring to be around. They make me want to do more.
Kelsey: Spitfire Studios is quite involved in the community around it, what are you involved in specifically? Why?
Tripp: We’re just trying to help grow and sustain Atlanta’s independent film community. Whether it’s working with the Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Choose ATL initiative at SXSW, Women in Film, or re:imagine/ATL, there’s a great atmosphere developing in our city and we’re proud to be a part of it. We as a group, have to keep pushing to develop unique, creative voices to show the world what we have to offer. If Atlanta is only viewed as just a great tax incentive with a labor pool, we have failed.
Kelsey: What other projects or companies use your space besides re:imagine/ATL?
Tripp: Last year we hosted two groups from California when we partnered to co-produce the movies Folk Hero & Funny Guy, starring Wyatt Russell and Alex Karpovsky, and Offer & Compromise starring Bellamy Young, Tom Cavanaugh, and Bailee Madison. Currently we’re pitching several groups to follow that same model and the response has been incredible.
Kelsey: Is it true that you have had puppy's dropped off on your doorstep before?
Tripp: Yep. Since we’re located next to the Humane Society, sadly we’ve come in to find dogs left in crates on our front steps. Thankfully we’ve been able to take them over there and where they find homes for them.
Our Media team working hard for The Green Room at Spitfire Studios.
Thank you Tripp and everyone over at Spitfire Studios for all their hard work and generosity with The Green Room!