Ben Porter
(601) 218 5369
My Credits
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Beginning
Television has always been my passion. As a kid in Mississippi, I knew that if I was going to pursue my dream, I was going to have to work harder than everyone else. With no knowledge of the industry, I applied to the only college in my area that offered a degree in Media Production. I signed up for every available class and club that involved media. As a small school in the south, my major was not very popular nor supported in the budget. I found loopholes that allowed me to borrow any piece of equipment and have 24-hour access to editing suites. In my third year, I was contacted by a home renovation television show that was starting up in a neighboring town. Unfortunately, I was not able to accept the job position as I was still a full-time student. I was heartbroken but after few weeks the producer asked if I would like to intern one day a week. One year later, I graduated from college and started my full-time position on the show.
Expanding
I worked on that show for 5 years. I started as the set PA and was promoted to AC in my second year. I learned every single aspect involving cameras, media, and lighting. I was given opportunities to shoot; I sometimes had to make decisions that I definitely wasn't qualified for, and I was given a level of responsibility that made me so proud to do my job. Though I did love this job, I knew that I had to branch out and experience different production styles, equipment, and challenges. I was contacted by a friend with the opportunity to work on "Swamp People"; I eagerly accepted, packed everything I owned, and moved to New Orleans. Swamp People was a great experience, but the biggest benefit of this move was the bustling (not anymore) film industry. Not too long after Swamp People, I began working in the Union world, turning a one-week gig into a 6-month, full-time Camera Utility job. I quickly bumped up to a Digital Loader and continued in these positions for a film and another TV show.
I loved union work; it was all extremely structured and felt very official, and my responsibilities grew to meet the industry's demand. In early 2023, the Union TV and film industries dried up in New Orleans, and a nationwide union strike soon followed, which left myself and my peers unemployed. Many union members worked their way up in the union, or at least in the high-budget environment. My start in reality turned out to be a lifesaver. I quickly went back to work on a "Swamp People" spin-off show that was set deep in the swamps of Louisiana and in marshes throughout the Everglades in Florida. This show was completely run-and-gun with a skeleton crew. I loaded equipment into pickup trucks, ATVs, boats, helicopters, swamp buggies, etc. The job was physically demanding, and it required careful planning in every situation. The plan almost never worked out, but my ability to adapt became a treasured skill. No matter if I was attaching GoPros to fan boats or searching for pythons on remote islands, I always made sure we had what we needed to get the shot.
Refining
With still no work in New Orleans and reality shows a rarity, I found myself wondering about the future. I have experience in every aspect of production styles and budgets. I have worked with crews of 10 up to 200. I have received accolades and praise from bosses and co-workers alike. On every job, I quickly become essential to the process or workflow. So why was I in a position to even contemplate leaving my dream industry? I decided I would do anything to stay doing what I loved. I began working for a local business; they had a podcast and videos that I knew I could enhance. I approached them and served as their director of content on a freelance basis. I was able to mix my large-budget tech skills with my reality run-and-gun adaptability. I discovered my love for creative development, rekindled my skills in editing, and gained an understanding of the YouTube space. As this company has started to scale down their video needs, I am in search of a new challenge. I want to work, learn, travel, and make the best product possible.