Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Newton.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started the company 3rdcoasthoops in 2011. There were a select few highlight companies across the country, but they mainly covered the top high school players in the nation. I wanted to create a platform that would help showcase the talent in Northeast Ohio and create opportunities for student-athletes to obtain college scholarships.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Early on, the main hardship I had to endure on this journey came from a media standpoint. I had no previous media experience or credentials, so the largest task was getting clearance to cover the games. From a national standpoint, there were hardly any African-American videographers in this particular field and there certainly weren’t any in the Cleveland area. I entered uncharted territory. These obstacles made me take my craft of filming much more serious. Networking and building relationships wasn’t an issue. I had to make sure that my footage looked legit in comparisons with all of the larger Cleveland news outlets.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a videographer. My passion is capturing memories/moments and turning them into art. My company is most known for filming and producing basketball mixtapes that help with recruiting for student-athletes. I’m most proud of the contributions we’ve been able to make to the culture of basketball, in Northeast Ohio, over the past decade. We’ve helped countless student-athletes obtain college scholarships and we’ve helped pique an interest with the younger generation in terms of videography. The thing that sets me the part from other media is just the essence. The art.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for anyone who is just starting out is selflessness and purpose. You can have an idea, but there has to be a purpose behind it. You cannot serve your purpose without selflessness. A lot of former athletes get into this field, and they need to understand that it’s no different than whatever sport they played. You get in what you put in. Master your craft.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: 3rdcoasthoops
- Twitter: 3rdcoast_newt
- Youtube: Youtube.com/3rdcoasthoops
