About

The team: Kimmy (2020-22), Anai, Reuben, Aaron

Est. 2017 in Southern California

I learned storytelling the hard way.

I didn’t go to film school or study journalism. Although my interest in making documentaries goes back decades, the path I eventually took wasn’t intentional.

Switching careers every couple of years was hard—from architecture and design, to technology and now filmmaking—it was frustrating to constantly start over from ground zero, learning new tools and meeting new people. But eventually, learning how to learn became a skill and mindset.

As a video producer serving the nonprofit sector for over seven years, my experiences have not only equipped me with knowledge and technical expertise but, more importantly, with a unique perspective.

It took me some time to truly understand what it takes to make a story well-told.

It requires time and presence of mind to ask the right questions with empathy. But to get to that point, you have to ask yourself some fundamental questions. Who is the audience? What is the goal? Who is the hero? Why tell this story in the first place?

Groundmaking is the video production studio that helps nonprofits tell stories that raise more money and move their missions forward. We document human experiences and capture moments that inspire others to think, feel, and take action. We also offer video strategy consultations and educational services.

If you would like to connect, please click “make contact” or sign up for the newsletter below.

— Reuben Herzl