Today we’d like to introduce you to Gareth Leah.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I first came to Salt Lake in November 2019 after my best friend Will Saunders invited me to join him and produce photo shoots for outdoor brands located in the area. The invitation came at a time when I was fluctuating in careers. In the previous 10 years, I’d owned an Arbor company, a climbing wall construction company, painted cell towers, a producer, and written climbing guidebooks to both NYC and Parque La Huasteca in Mexico. Whilst I found some form of fulfillment in each of these, I hadn’t found one that satisfied my need for a creativity, challenge, and change. Feeling a change was needed, I drove from Colorado to Utah and set up my new production company “Well Good Productions” out of my 2006 ford E250 van.
Arriving in Salt Lake, I began producing small projects for brands such as Gregory and Kuhl. Being an adventure seeker myself, I found a natural understanding of the clientele and challenges that came with territory. During the first year, I focused on getting some photo and video equipment and so that I could try my hand at more than producing. I wrote passion projects and sought out like-minded individuals to execute them with, and over time, my portfolio and skills grew – as did all those around me.
The following year, the world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Few people were buying products, and so fewer companies were hiring. I found myself with an abundance of time, but tight on funds. I knew that If I was going to get through this, I needed to elevate my skills and those around me so that we could land larger projects that would break the “feast and famine” cycle many of us were stuck in. It was now that the idea of a creator space started to ruminate in my mind. A place where we could use the slow time to explore with reckless abandon concepts that allow us to try and fail without consequences. I began inquiring about spaces and exploring what it would take to make it happen.
My budget for the project was just $10k – barely enough to cover a month’s rent at most of the places I had visited. Not to be deterred, I decided to try and approach it from a new angle, partnership. I began to discuss the idea with friends and see if anyone had the desire to create such a space. Two brothers, Jack and Phil Hessler were fellow film makers who ran a small production company called Wzrd and rented a building that had a lot of unused space. I approached them and explained that I had this idea, a small budget, and from all my previous careers, enough construction experience to build the thing myself. It turned out that the timing was perfect. They had also dreamed of creating a space but didn’t have the bandwidth or skills to construct it. We struck a 50/50 deal and I began designing and building the space which came to be known as “The Midnight Corner”.
It took 4 months to construct, and in February 2022 – we launched our grand opening alongside a film festival that showcased a short selection of the work from our community. The space would turn out to be a huge hit within the creative community and I wouldn’t know it then, but the opening of the studio would be the catalyst for my career and those around us.
2022 would turn out to be a huge year for me, my company, and those around me. I produced the winning image for the Red Bull Illume photo competition alongside my best friend Will Saunders, I also produced and wrote further creative for Red Bull Rampage. This year we would also launch The Wasatch Picture Show and win dozens of film laurels from festivals around the world for our films “No Dreams Left Behind”, “The Story of a Trout”, and “The Long Wall”. Our client base exploded to include huge international brands such as Prudential and collaborations with the likes of Tony Hawk, Orlando Bloom, and many others.
Currently, I am the Executive Producer and Creative Director at Well Good Productions which takes up a large majority of my time, but I also have been DP’ing adventure TV shows across Alaska and the lower 48, and shooting photography for adventure brands from around the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth sailing. Budget juggling, lack of time, sleep, and personal self-confidence, and overcoming seemingly impossible challenges all left me wondering if what I believed was shared by others. In the end, you have to just do what feels right to you as there will always be skeptics.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Well Good Productions?
Free thinkers, light bringers, and game shakers.
We believe in equality, inclusivity, and diversity. An interdisciplinary team of innovators, artists, athletes, and digital guru’s that endeavor to be the change they want to see in the world. With adventure media as our stage for action, we are forging a better future with like-minded humans.
Specializing in commercial outdoor media, our team is experienced in crossing the toughest terrain, ascending the highest peaks, or diving to the ocean depths. Our portfolio spans the gamut. From branded content for clients including Black Diamond, Mammut, and Red Bull, to car commercials for BFG Goodrich and CRUISE, and TV network series for PBS, Peacock, and YouTube Originals.
With a full creative team and studio space, we provide turn-key media solutions for marketing teams whatever the challenge.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Prepare for the slow times, enjoy the busy!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wellgoodproductions.com
- Instagram: @wellgoodmedia
- Facebook: @wellgoodmedia
- Linkedin: @garethleah
Image Credits
Dan Krauss
Will Saunders
Rachel Galipo
Andy Earl
Jasper Gibson
