Meet Oliver Haney
We had the good fortune of connecting with Oliver Haney and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Oliver, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I first graduated from SCAD, I worked a few different jobs, but I knew that the traditional path back to directing and making original films would look very different outside of school. Suddenly, I had to figure out how to monetize my skills in a way that was sustainable. Like every graduate, I had two choices: find a job or create one. I chose to create my own. I had spent years directing and bringing films to life from start to finish, and I wasn’t ready to let go of that just because I was stepping into the professional world. Instead, I built a path that allowed me to continue doing what I love while growing as a filmmaker and entrepreneur. Thus, I started OTC, Oliver and the Company, my own multi-media production company focused on documentaries.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a filmmaker, I believe my unwavering commitment to storytelling with purpose sets me apart from others. Filming movies has never been enough for me. My mission is to highlight those in my community and beyond who are making a real impact by telling stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. This mission drives both my work and my company. Is it easy? Of course not. But by any standard, I don’t think anything worth doing in life is easy. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that your work should align with your passion and purpose. Challenges will arise, but when you stay true to your vision and find people who believe in it too, you create opportunities that are greater than you imagined.
My mission is to pave a new path for young creatives to break into the filmmaking industry—one that’s different from the route I had to take. I want to create opportunities for youth to tell their stories, get their work seen, and experience the freedom to create while being fairly compensated, regardless of their age. Too often, people in my community don’t see the arts as a viable way to build a better life for themselves or their families. One day, I hope to build the kind of support system and opportunities that I never had—so that the next generation of filmmakers can thrive without the same barriers
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my friends came into town and I wanted to show them a good time, I’d start with dinner at By George, a great spot on Peachtree Road in Atlanta—their salmon is top-tier. After that, we’d head to Palo Santo on West Marietta Street for a few drinks. The music is always on point, and the vibe is super chill. To wrap up the night, we’d hit El Malo, one of the best cocktail lounges in the city, hands down. It’s the perfect way to end a great night out in Atlanta!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I first graduated, one of the first organizations that gave me a real shot was KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools—specifically, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School. Coming out of college, I knew I didn’t want to go into videography in a broad sense where I was just creating any and all types of content. I had a clear vision: I wanted to build a company dedicated to producing a very specific kind of work—stories that highlight undervalued people, places, and themes within my community, showcasing their positive impact on others.
To do that, I needed to connect with organizations that not only trusted me to tell their story but also had authentic, meaningful stories to tell. As an alumnus, I already knew the type of place KIPP Atlanta Collegiate was. And an incredible individual, Keosha Moon, the Director of Operations at KAC, saw something in me and took a chance. Since October 2023, I’ve had the privilege of producing over four feature documentary films on behalf of the school—with more to come.
So, a huge shoutout to Keosha Moon and KIPP Atlanta Collegiate for believing in me and allowing me to do what I love—telling impactful stories that matter.
Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/oliver-haney-4a06b6161
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@oliverandthecompany?si=EFucKpQCoyPJ5adw
Image Credits
David Mahone
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