By Christine Shelby | OBSERVER Staff Writer
After six months of covering entrepreneurs and technology in the Sacramento region, I was excited to learn about Cameron Carr, a creative with a production studio in Elk Grove. On the day of our interview, he rushed to open his production space and apologized for his tardiness due to the fact that he was down an employee and had to fill in at a different location. Carr is booked and busy, something every entrepreneur works hard to achieve.
Blk. Screen Productions is located in a spacious warehouse where creativity bursts to life. The studio hosts photoshoots in its three build-outs, podcasts in the recording area, film sessions, and events throughout the entire space if desired. There is also a makeup area for glam teams, making it an excellent venue for creatives to efficiently complete projects. They attract clients through word of mouth and the online rental platform Peerspace. The ability to host creatives across various endeavors is exactly what Carr envisioned when building his business plan.
Growing up in Elk Grove, Carr attended Pleasant Grove High School and played football with future NFL star Arik Armstead, but an injury prevented him from pursuing the sport further. Instead, he became more involved in media arts and attended college at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. From there, he worked on music videos for artists like E-40, Filthy Rich, and Tony! Toni! Toné!. He initially pursued screenwriting but explored other aspects of the entertainment business thanks to his mentor, Malcolm Spellman, best known for the TV series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Carr gained more experience working as a personal assistant, acquiring valuable behind-the-scenes expertise.
“No one likes being a PA,” Carr says, “but you learn a lot.”
Coming back to his hometown, he was driven by a desire to support aspiring creatives and established Blk. Screen Productions. He recognized a gap in the community: while opportunities abound in sports and music, access to resources for those interested in media arts needed improvement. “I just wanted to create an entry-level media and studio space here locally in Sacramento that allowed people to do a little bit of everything,” he explains.
Blk. Screen Productions has become a hub for local talent. Students utilize the space for a variety of projects, from video game streaming to sports photography. Carr actively mentors young creatives through internships, workshops, and even parent education sessions on responsible social media use. He also prioritizes paying his interns, recognizing the importance of providing paid experience. Starting next year, he will have full-time employees, a must for his growing client list.
Carr works with local brands and credits Beauty by Lisa Leticia in Elk Grove for helping him find his footing in branding. Leticia scheduled a full-day shoot to launch a setting spray that showcased Blk.Screen’s ability to design custom solutions and work with brands to bring their visions to life. Leticia works regularly with Carr to train, promote, and assist other entrepreneurs in creating media for their small businesses. She speaks highly of Carr, saying the studio has been “groundbreaking” for the area and small businesses. The services provided make it easy for small business owners to get the content they need to be successful because, as she sees it, not utilizing social media is a miss for anyone trying to succeed in today’s business climate. This drives Carr to improve his space, as he plans to add a cyclorama, which he hopes will create more opportunities for brands and help move the studio into more film projects. Filming a TV pilot is a future goal for Carr. Although he had paused screenwriting due to the writers’ strike, he remains dedicated to supporting other creatives and building his portfolio in Elk Grove.
Carr understands that capital is crucial. He stresses financial planning and saving, a lesson he learned firsthand when he saved money to invest in himself. With family support, he planned to have not only capital but also a business plan for long-term success, leading him to purchase the unit for Blk. Screen Productions.
After a year in business, Carr is frank about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. “It’s been a rewarding experience. It definitely taught me my capacity for things, but it’s just about finding the balance and seeing where you’re making strides, both for your community and personally as well,” he says.
Carr credits chamber membership for helping him branch out and network with others. The Elk Grove Chamber and Sacramento Black Chamber have opened doors and hosting opportunities. He is grateful for what he has learned over the past year and eager for what is coming. He looks forward to improving the studio and adding equipment clients can rent if needed.
As Blk. Screen Productions enters its second year, Carr remains dedicated to supporting the local creative community’s growth. By providing a state-of-the-art studio space and fostering a supportive environment for young talent, he is helping to ensure that the Sacramento area continues to be a vibrant hub for artistic expression.
Blk.Screen Productions is at 10491 E. Stockton Blvd., Suite C, Elk Grove.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship Lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.