Carl Essa Jr. Videographer · Director · Photographer

Drawn to brands that believe in craft. The ones where the visual language is intentional and nothing feels forced. Creating things that feel real.

Digital Media Producer

I joined Peter Millar in 2025 as their digital media producer, responsible for concepting and developing the video and photo content that represents the brand across its digital lifestyle channel. Every project starts with a creative concept I develop alongside the VP of Creative — aligning on direction and vision before production begins.

The content spans motion and stills across product, lifestyle, and editorial. Shot with professional gear and built to the standard of the brand it represents. While developed for their organic social lifestyle channel, it consistently gets selected for paid social, paid digital, email campaigns, and broader brand marketing — a result of approaching every project with the same level of intention regardless of where it ends up.

"Artisans of Craft"

Co-Founder · Creative Director

Co-founded Half Melted Productions and spent two years building it into a full-service photo and video production company based in Raleigh, NC. As co-owner I oversaw creative direction on every project: developing concepts, managing client relationships, directing shoots, and handling post-production across lifestyle, entertainment, and brand work. Partnered with two talent agencies, grew a team of eight interns, and maintained a 75% client retention rate built entirely on the quality of the work.

Produced the promotional visuals for Rockingham Speedway that contributed to securing their first NASCAR contract in 12 years. Handled multi-camera event coverage for Loud Luxury's nationwide tour across multiple cities. Directed and launched the social presence for Glenwood South Entertainment District, reaching 10K followers in six months. In mid-2025, closed the partnership and launched 603 Studio.

Equally solid while creatively fluid.

Founder · Solo Operator

Founded Birds Eye Productions in 2021 while finishing my degree at NC State — run as a solo operation. I handled every aspect of production myself: client communication, creative concepting, shooting, editing, and final delivery. Over two years I produced photo and video content for 25 local businesses across apparel, hospitality, food and beverage, and entertainment. Every project built around a custom creative treatment for that specific client's brand.

What Birds Eye gave me beyond the work was a network. Taking on a wide range of clients early forced rapid development — translating a brief into a visual, managing client relationships, and delivering consistently. The connections built through that run led directly to the clients and collaborators that made Half Melted Productions possible.

Empower growth.

Short Film — "Are You Here?"

A short film produced by Core One Official exploring the significance of memory and presence. I came on as a producer and on-set audio mixer — contributing creative direction, a secondary camera, lighting equipment, and live sound capture throughout production. The film sold out two theaters on opening weekend and earned 2nd place at its film festival.

Watch Film ↗