Trent Spivey
Trent Spivey is a drone pilot, cinematographer, immersive media producer, entrepreneur, and mischief-maker. Originally from the beautiful piedmont of North Carolina, Trent earned his BFA from the UNC School of the Arts’ filmmaking conservatory. Trent has lived and worked on both coasts, and now hangs his hat up in Austin.
How long have you been in the Austin area?
⤜ At the time of writing, 283 days!
Who inspires you (in general / as an artist / your interpretation)?
⤜ So many people inspire me – firstly, the people I get to meet and work with every day. There’s inspiration everywhere. Longer-term inspirations and role models include Fred Rogers, Story Musgrave, Ed Catmull, Jon Favreau, and recently Ted Lasso.
Breakfast Lunch or Dinner?
⤜ Yes!
What was the best concert you’ve ever been to?
⤜ I got super lucky and saw the Kronos Quartet perform the score live alongside their own documentary, “A Thousand Thoughts”.
When you were a kiddo, what did you really want to be when you grew up?
⤜ A tap dancer like Gene Kelly, an astronaut, and a Jedi.
Your favorite Austin Eatery // Coffee House // Brewery?
⤜ I’m super new, but I count myself lucky to have been graced by the tacos of Veracruz All Natural. Mozart’s Coffee slaps too.
Do you have a favorite charity you wish more people knew about?
⤜ Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP)
What’s your hidden talent?
⤜ I’ve been told I’m a good dancer.
What’s your favorite thing about being a photographer?
⤜ Flying drones for real estate is helping me get to know the area in a very special way.
Have you ever met anybody famous? Share a pic!
⤜ I once flew a job where some friends introduced me to Dean Cundey, ASC, who happened to be vacationing with his wife. He was super gracious and gave me some cinematography pointers. Legend. I didn’t want to take out my camera and make it weird, but we ended up sitting at the same dinner table that night.
What is your go-to Potluck dish?
⤜ Scratch-made guacamole.
How many states // countries have you visited (or lived in!)?
⤜ I’ve lived in 4 states and 2 countries with really special memories of Japan around age 4.
What’s something that has surprised you about being a real estate photographer?
⤜ Realtors and filmmakers are remarkably similar!
What is one of the top items on your Bucket List?
⤜ I’ll pick a career-related one; I’d love to get good at flying one of the smaller “cine-whoop” drones… look them up on YouTube, they’re BONKERS.
What’s something that you’re really bad at?
⤜ My biggest lesson learned from a college fencing course was that I’m not meant to be a fencer.
What’s one hobby you’d love to get into?
⤜ Jiu-Jitsu. If you have any gym recommendations, I’m open!
What’s your most used emoji?
⤜ ✨
