WHO WE ARE
IMPACT. INCLUSION. INTENTIONALITY.
ALWAYS.
Reel Clever is an award-winning multicultural film and video production company with some of the most transformative and impact-driven storytellers of today. From commercial projects to narrative films and everything in between, we harness the power of authentic, human-centered storytelling in everything we do. Established in 2017 by EMMY-award winning Filipino-American filmmakers Thaad and Eden Sabolboro, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, but the heart of who we are and what we represent in the world.
Our portfolio showcases collaborations with globally recognized brands, educational institutions, and community organizations across diverse industries. We are proud of our distinctive cinematic voice, spirit of collaboration, and peerless attention to detail that our team brings to the table for every project, regardless of the scale and scope. Our global and multicultural approach enables us to connect with diverse audiences and deliver work that rises above and beyond.
Reel Clever. It's what we do.
The Team
Partner | Director
Eden Sabolboro
Biography
Eden Sabolboro's work focuses on capturing authentic, immersive human interest stories especially from underrepresented perspectives. Eden is the co-founder of Reel Clever Films LLC, a boutique production company specializing in non-fiction storytelling and branded content. With over ten years of high level expertise in the film and video production industry, Eden has produced an immersive body of work for the media, non-profit and education sector, Fortune 500 companies, the local creative arts and small business communities, and leading political and civic advocacy organizations. Her work has received two Michigan Emmy awards, as well as exhibited and juried in various local, international, and Academy-qualifying film festivals.
Eden has participated in a few key labs and fellowships, namely the New York Foundation for the Arts’ Immigrant Artist Program, the Sundance Institute Creative Producing Lab (Detroit), and Firelight Media’s Groundwork Lab. She is a part of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, as well as the Asian-American Documentary Network. In 2021, she served as the Supervising Producer for “Shifting Urban Narratives,” a multimedia fellowship for young Detroiters by Wayne State University and the Schultz Family Foundation to tell their stories about change, resilience, joy, and community development. In 2022, Eden worked with women-led production house MAJORITY to co-direct “Year One of the Biden-Harris Administration” for the Biden-Harris Inaugural Committee.
Some of Eden's recent projects as producer & director include the Webby-nominated "Senghor Reid: Make Way for Tomorrow" for the second season of PBS American Masters' and Firelight Media's "In The Making" Series; “Into the Sugarbush” an official selection for the TED Countdown Summit in Detroit, and “WELL” a narrative-documentary hybrid film funded by Black Public Media and is official selection for the 2024 BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta.
Films
Eden Sabolboro
Partner | Director of Photography
Thaad Sabolboro
Biography
Thaad Sabolboro is an Emmy and Society of Professional Journalists award-winning cinematographer and video editor with over 10 years of capturing cinematic imagery for some of the world’s top brands and media platforms. Thaad is passionate about storytelling through cinematography and finding the little nuances of each frame. His work has been published in Time Magazine, The Washington Post, Jalopnik, Eater, Huffington Post, The Food Network, and The Atlantic: Rethink,and has served as second unit cinematographer for several award-winning documentaries and short films. He recently served as the Director of Photography for "Senghor Reid: Make Way for Tomorrow" for PBS American Masters and Firelight Media.
Films
Thaad Sabolboro
Producer
Amanda Tingley
Biography
Amanda Tingley is a Korean-American producer and filmmaker from Metro Detroit. Her passion for sharing stories has led her to produce various pieces for non-profit and corporate organizations such as PBS and Meta. Amanda is also a member of the Asian-American Documentary Network. In 2023, she produced "Claiming Connections", a film that documents some of the grass-root efforts in Detroit that are creating opportunities for the BIPOC community to connect with the great outdoors.
Narratively, Amanda has worked as a producer, cinematographer, and editor since 2016. Her most recent work that she co-produced "Well", a Black Public Media and Reel Clever Films production, depicts the story of one Black American family through 50 years as they fight conditions affecting them through three different health crises. "Well" went on to screen at Oscar Qualifying Film Festivals, such as the Bronze Lens Film Festival in Atlanta and Reel Sisters of the Diaspora in New York. Additionally, she has worked on the short film "English Breakfast" as producer and director of photography, which won Best Dark Comedy at the Los Angeles Comedy Film & Screenplay Festival in 2023.
LOVES: Pork Belly, Camping, Vintage Furniture, Mosaic and Stain Glass Art
Films
Amanda Tingley
Associate Producer
Lendz Barinque
Biography
Lendz Barinque, is a filmmaker and writer from Mindanao, Philippines. He has an undergraduate degree in AB English, majoring in Creative Writing in Silliman University in Dumaguete city. His stage-play script, Ang Mga Babae sa Kusina/The Women in the Kitchen, was selected by ExtraVirgin Labfest in Cagayan de Oro back in 2019.
After finishing a diploma course in filmmaking from International Academy of Film and TV - Cebu, he went to produce local short films. ‘Padulong sa Pinuy-anan’ directed by Eden Villarba was selected to be part of the 10th Cinemalaya Film Festival 2015. He also produced Lunchbox by Remton Zuasola in 2016, and co-produced Pagrara Sang Patipuron by Jean Claire Dy and Manuel Domes. He was a production manager to ‘Swap’ in 2015, production coordinator and script supervisor to ‘Those Long Haired Nights’ and ‘Singing in Graveyards’ in 2016.
He is a frequent collaborator as a Producer and Assistant Director with 8Thumbs Production in Cebu, Philippines.
Recently, he co-directed a segment of a Malaysian-Philippines feature length project, Franklin, which was part of the 2022 Taipei Golden Hourse Film Project Promotion WIP Selected Project.
LOVES: Freediving, Mixed Martial Arts, Cooking, Coffee! KBBQ and Hotpot, the balance between outdoor and indoor lifestyle -- day & night, loves to party but also NEEDS quiet time
Films
Lendz Barinque
Studio Manager | Junior Videographer
Luigi Macairan
Biography
Luigi Macairan is a passionate filmmaker, photographer, editor, and studio manager based in the Metro Detroit area. With a deep commitment to capturing the rich cultural fabric of his community, Luigi has built a reputation for his work on a variety of impactful projects.
Throughout his career, Luigi has been deeply involved in documenting cultural events for Asian American university organizations. His work includes filming and photographing for Asian American organizations at Wayne State University, Oakland University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn. His dedication to capturing the vibrancy and significance of these events has made a lasting impact on the communities he serves.
In addition to his work with local organizations, Luigi has assisted in shoots and post-production for prominent events, including the TEDx Countdown Summit and projects for Skillshare, PBS, and the Smithsonian Institution. His contributions extend to a variety of nonprofit and corporate organizations around Detroit, where he has helped tell the stories of communities and causes in need of visibility.
LOVES: Volleyball, KBBQ and Hotpot, Traveling, Anime, Coffee and Coffee Making
Films
Luigi Macairan
Senior Video Editor
Sai Zantua
Biography
Isaias Zantua is a filmmaker with a diverse portfolio spanning videography and video editing. He has worked with local celebrities, creating engaging social media content, and has provided video editing services abroad for weddings, documentaries, AVPs, and commercials. His short narrative films have garnered international recognition, screening in countries like South Korea, Singapore, Dubai, Germany, and France. Isaias also contributed as a writer for the Emmy-nominated children's series Super Wings and as a video editor for the Emmy-winning production company Reel Clever Films in Detroit, Michigan. With a passion for storytelling, he brings a wealth of experience and creativity to every project.
Films
Sai Zantua
Services
Bringing your stories to life through every step of the filmmaking journey, from initial concept to final frame.
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Video & film production
We see each project as a unique visual story waiting to be told. When you work with us, we start by sitting down with you to understand the heart of what you're trying to say. From there, we handle everything from finding the perfect locations to assembling the right crew and equipment. Our cameras capture more than just images—they capture moments that move people. What you get is a beautifully crafted piece that feels authentic to your vision while connecting with your audience in ways that words alone never could.
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Concept Development
Every great film starts as a spark of an idea. When you bring that spark to us, we fan it into a flame through thoughtful conversation, research, and creative exploration. We ask the questions that uncover what makes your story unique, then sketch out the visual world where it will live. This is where we map character arcs, visual motifs, and emotional beats—creating a blueprint that guides every decision that follows. The result is a fully formed concept that stays true to your vision while giving our team the creative direction to bring it to life.
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Storytelling
Stories are how we make sense of the world, and we're passionate about finding the narrative thread that will resonate with your audience. We dig deep to find the emotional core of what you want to say, then craft a structure that takes viewers on a journey they won't forget. We pay attention to the small details—a character's gesture, a perfectly timed music cue, a moment of unexpected beauty—that turn good stories into unforgettable ones. What emerges is a narrative that feels both fresh and familiar, speaking to viewers in a language they instinctively understand.
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Video editing
In our editing room is where the real magic happens. This is where we take all the raw footage we've shot and carefully shape it into something greater than the sum of its parts. We spend hours finding the perfect rhythm, balancing moments of action with moments of reflection, and making sure every cut serves the story. We layer in music that enhances the emotion without overwhelming it, perfect the color to set just the right mood, and fine-tune the sound until it feels seamless. When we're done, what started as separate pieces becomes a flowing experience that holds your attention from the first frame to the last.
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Live streaming
There's an energy to live events that can't be replicated, and we've mastered the art of capturing that energy and sharing it with audiences who can't be there in person. We treat each live stream like a carefully orchestrated production—setting up multiple camera angles, ensuring crystal-clear audio, and creating graphics that enhance without distracting. Behind the scenes, our team monitors every technical aspect so you don't have to worry about what might go wrong. What your audience experiences is the immediacy of being there, combined with the polished feel of a professional production, creating connections that span any distance.
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Remote Filming
Distance doesn't have to limit your storytelling vision. When travel isn't possible or when you need to capture footage across multiple locations simultaneously, our remote filming approach bridges the gap. We coordinate with local crews around the world while maintaining consistent direction and vision from our base. Using real-time feeds and collaborative tools, we guide every shot as if we were standing right there on set. We handle the complex logistics—from equipment matching to lighting consistency—so you can focus on the creative decisions. The result is seamless footage that brings together diverse locations and perspectives under one cohesive vision, often saving weeks of travel time and opening doors to locations that might otherwise be out of reach. Your story can unfold anywhere in the world, sometimes in multiple places at once, without sacrificing the quality or creative control you expect.
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Studio Rental
Conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Ferndale, The Reel Studios, an accessible and fully equipped Video + Photo studio for your creative needs. Our 1000 sq. ft studio has a large-scale backdrop wall, as well as multiple other color backdrops to choose from. Brand new, top-of-the-line film lighting, grip and gaffing gear, as well as cameras are available as add-ons for your experience. In this open, single room studio, we have a dedicated lounge/seating area, tons of additional chairs/seating, and a hair and makeup station. We're excited to host you for your next creative idea!
Want to book our studio? Book Here
Awards
The Society of Professional Journalists - Detroit Chapter
2nd Place
The Society of Professional Journalists - Detroit Chapter
1st Place
2023 MICHIGAN EMMY®
Award Winner
2020 MICHIGAN EMMY®
Award Winner
The Society of Professional Journalists - Detroit Chapter
1st Place
The Webby Awards
Official Nominee
Press
FAQ
Film production costs can vary significantly based on the scale and scope of the project. Key expenses include pre-production costs such as script development, casting, and location scouting. During production, costs include crew salaries, equipment rentals, set construction, and location fees. Post-production costs involve editing, sound design, visual effects, and marketing. Additionally, filmmakers should consider contingency funds for unexpected expenses. It is crucial to create a detailed budget that outlines all potential costs to ensure the project remains financially viable.
The time it takes to make a film can vary widely depending on several factors, including the film's budget, complexity, and production schedule. On average, a feature film can take anywhere from a few months to several years to complete. Pre-production, which includes script development, casting, and location scouting, can take several months. The actual filming, or production phase, typically lasts from a few weeks to a few months. Post-production, which involves editing, sound design, and visual effects, can also take several months. Therefore, it is essential to plan accordingly and allow sufficient time for each phase of the filmmaking process.
Starting a film project involves several key steps. First, you need to develop a concept or idea for your film. This can be based on a personal experience, a story you want to tell, or even an adaptation of existing material. Once you have a solid idea, the next step is to write a script. A well-structured script is essential as it serves as the blueprint for your film. After the script is ready, you should create a budget and a production plan. This includes determining the resources you will need, such as cast, crew, equipment, and locations. Finally, you can begin the pre-production phase, which involves casting actors, scouting locations, and scheduling shoots.