By Selina Pedi-Smith
This week I’d like to introduce you to Devin Zagar, owner of 7 Foot Productions,(yes, he’s that massively tall guy you’ve probably seen around town!), and the creative mind behind the camera for Pellere’s upcoming Pellere in Motion video series. For Devin, videography isn’t just about visuals—it’s about strategy, connection, and uncovering the “why” behind every story. In this interview, Devin shares his journey, his approach to community engagement, and how he hopes to inspire pride and progress in our region through the power of video.
Q: What got you interested in videography?
A: What got me interested in videography is the opportunity to combine creativity with problem-solving. Growing up, I made little movies and skits with friends in the neighborhood, and that sparked a love for storytelling. Over time, I realized that video is more than just a creative outlet—it’s a powerful tool for strategy. I love helping businesses and organizations not just create visually appealing content but also use video strategically to reach their goals.
Q: Why do you think videos are such a powerful tool for community engagement?
A: You know the old adage: a picture is worth a thousand words. I like to say, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a million. Videos can communicate, evoke emotion, and inspire in ways no other digital media can. They connect with people on a deeper level. That’s what makes them such a powerful tool for engaging communities—they don’t just inform; they inspire.
Q: What’s been your favorite moment while filming for organizations or community groups in our area?
A: One of my favorite moments was creating a video for a local business. Not only did the video deliver the results we were aiming for, but the owner and several employees cried while watching it. That was such a powerful reminder of what videos can do—not just in terms of strategy and outcomes, but in how they can deeply move and inspire people. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do.
Q: How do you approach turning everyday efforts, like cleaning a building or planning energy projects, into videos people want to watch?
A: I focus on answering the “why” behind the task. It’s not just about showing what’s being done; it’s about uncovering why it matters. Why is this building being cleaned? Why does this energy project matter to the community? When you tap into those deeper reasons, the story becomes compelling.
For example, a building cleanup isn’t just about scrubbing walls—it’s about creating a space where people can gather, a sense of pride for a neighborhood, creating new opportunities, and revitalizing our area.
Q: What’s one thing you hope people take away from watching these videos?
A: I hope people see the potential in our area. That they recognize the progress being made, the hope that exists, and the opportunities that are right here in their own community. More than anything, I want my videos to spark a sense of pride and possibility. Whether it’s for a business, an organization, or the community as a whole, I want people to feel inspired to take part in building something greater.
Q: If you could film your dream project with unlimited resources, what would it look like?
A: My dream project would be a long-term campaign to market our county and highlight everything it has to offer. It wouldn’t be a single video or a one-time effort—it would be an ongoing initiative to capture the people, the businesses, the natural beauty, and the opportunities here.
The focus would be on driving tourism and economic development. I’d want to show why people should visit, live, or invest here. Whether it’s the outdoor recreation, the people, the growing businesses, or the events, the idea would be to inspire visitors, bolster pride in the community, and bring in new opportunities for growth.
This wouldn’t just be about making our region look good—it would be about creating a strategy that changes how people see and connect with it. It’s about building something lasting that benefits everyone.
Devin’s work reminds us that storytelling through video is more than just a creative process—it’s a way to inspire pride, connection, and progress. Whether he’s capturing a cleanup effort or dreaming of an initiative to market the region, Devin’s lens is always focused on one thing: helping people see the beauty and potential all around them. Stay tuned for the upcoming Pellere in Motion series to see these stories in action!
Devin Zagar, videographer,
of 7 Foot Productions
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Rachel Brosnahan is the Community Engagement Coordinator for River Roots Redevelopment. She can be reached by email at rachel@riverrootsredevelopment.org
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