Meet Shane Uriot of Hop Top Films and My Fishing Cape Cod TV

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane Uriot.

Shane, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It’s funny, I got into filmmaking sort of by accident. I always loved film and television, but when I was younger I didn’t realize it was something that you could make money at. I had some friends going to film school and they asked me to act in one of their films for school. I fell in love with the process and decided that there was no other career path for me. I enrolled in college and graduated from Emerson with a degree in film.

I worked for two companies in Boston and quickly realized that I wouldn’t be truly happy unless I was working on my own projects. I was fortunate enough to meet my business partner, Evan Schneider of Hop Top Films. At that time and the two of us shot a pilot for a fishing show I created with the owner of myfishingcapecod.com. The three of us found the formula and our show is airing on NBCSports Boston January 6th. Since that first pilot Evan and I have been working under the collaborative name of Hop Top Films and we recently just shot our 2nd television pilot that we plan to shop to major networks this coming spring.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think when you dream big you have to be prepared for years of hard work and sacrifice. The film and television industry can be hard because there is no clear path laid out in front of you, especially if you want to be on the creative/producer side of things. You have to have thick skin and the ability to overcome rejection. I would say I have had challenges since I first entered the industry. It was hard to find work to help pay the bills while I was creating these projects. It took almost two years before I was able to get My Fishing Cape Cod TV onto a network.

During that time it felt like it was almost impossible, we were rejected for our original pilot, which was more of a concept than a polished piece, and it felt like all of that time and energy was wasted, but we believed in ourselves and believed in the project. This was right around the time that I met Evan and he also believed in the project, so we kept fighting for it and eventually, it paid off. I don’t think it is ever going to be a smooth road for me or any filmmaker because there is so many variables that become a factor. I think it is how you deal with those bumps in the road that determine if you are going to be successful or not. It’s ultimately your determination and persistence that gets you to where you want to be.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hop Top Films / My Fishing Cape Cod TV – what should we know?
Our umbrella company, Hop Top Films is a full-on production company specializing in everything from television shows to commercial and corporate videos. We are known for creating high-quality imagery and storytelling. Right now we do all the production work for My Fishing Cape Cod TV, we just shot the 2nd pilot for a show about the craft beer industry that I created, and we are in pre-production for two other television pilots and a documentary with some of our partners on the west coast.

I would say that I am most proud of the fact that we are able to do the entire process in-house. We can create the ideas, execute on the production and find a way to get these ideas in front of networks for purchasing consideration. We have the ability to do this not just for ourselves, but our clients as well and we have the ability to take on large and small projects so we can fit smaller budgets, but still maintain the same level of quality as one of our television shows or films. To me, quality visuals and storytelling are the most important thing.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have been fortunate enough to have a lot of support from my friends and family while I have been pursuing my career. My friend Jeremy Quaglia, the owner of High Limb Hard Cider, convinced me to take the risks with these projects and really helped me believe in myself at the infancy of my career and still does today. While I was at Emerson College, my professor and accomplished filmmaker Ziad Hamzeh gave me a lot of honest and heartfelt advice that has stuck with me throughout my career so far.

He actually advised me during a few years after my graduation while I was trying to get My Fishing Cape Cod TV off the ground and his advice really helped me complete the project in the best way as possible. Of course, I have had great support from Ryan Collins, my partner in My Fishing Cape Cod TV and Evan Schneider, my business partner in Hop Top Films. Also, my girlfriend, Brittany has been such a big support, she understands the sacrifices that I have to make and reminds me during the stressful times that the hard work will pay off in the end.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hoptopfilms.com www.myfishingcapecod.com
• Email: shane@myfishingcapecod,com or Shane@HopTopFilms.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopTopFilmsCompany

Image Credit:
Taylor Briand

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