Today we’d like to introduce you to Siddharth Padki
Hi Siddharth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in India and immigrated here with my parents when I was about 3-4 years old. My brother was born in the States, in Queens NYC. We lived in the city for some time but my parents rightfully decided to leave after the 9/11 attacks. We moved to NJ and moved around for quite a bit before settling down in South Brunswick.
Capturing the world around me and telling stories has always been something I am passionate about. I got my start at an early age, looking over my Dad’s shoulder as he took photos of our family. I like to say that this art form is in my blood, as my great-great-grandfather was a filmmaker in India with one of his films being archived by the national government on the grounds of cultural significance.
Even though I was exposed to photography at a young age, it wasn’t until I was about 15 years old that I fell in love with filmmaking and videography. On a whim, I asked my friends if they would be interested with helping me out on a personal project. That ended up being my first ever short film and the beginning of my videography journey. After college, I spent 6 years working at a local non-profit organization, helping them tell important stories. I realized that I can use my unique set of skills and keen eye for storytelling to do the same for other organizations.
Fast forward to today. I’m 28 years old. I started my own video production company in 2023 called Sudden Inception Productions – the name comes from the fact that the original idea regarding making my first short film came to me quite suddenly.
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?
Smooth is definitely a relative term. I’m only in Baltimore in the first place because I met my then-girlfriend now wife during our first semester in freshman year at Rutgers University. After our first year together at school she had to move back to MD. We were long distance for a little over 3 years before I found a job in Balimore and moved to be with her.
At some point I had also lost hope that I would ever do filmmaking/videography full-time, as the small scale gigs and few short films I made during college was all I could really do at the time. They felt lacking and as though I had no place to go from there.
After graduating, I got a job at a non-profit organization and worked for about a year in a role that aligned with my degree. At some point during that first year, I noticed a need for there to be a video made for an upcoming event we were hosting, and I spoke about it in passing with a colleague. Next thing I know I’m speaking with the director of another department where they really want me to make this video. It turned out to be a great success and it was an on-ramp to my transition into a role that allowed me to make more videos.
That ended up being a trap. For the next 5-ish years I battled for my value at every turn and quickly realized that I was doing my old job AND my new role of videography/photography for everything, and I didn’t receive ANY additional pay. At the time I thought this was normal and fed HEAVILY into my imposter syndrome. I would pitch ideas for video content and utilize my skill and would get shot down at every turn and would not even be allowed to showcase my work after I created it, even to the staff.
So I decided to take control of my life and create my own value. In 2023, I started my business and quit my job and have been full-time working for myself ever since. I have not looked back.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sudden Inception Productions LLC?
We help organizations realize their full potential by telling their unique story with video. We specialize in creating engaging and effective videos, working with a wide variety of industries and organizations to deliver impactful video that boost conversions, raise awareness, build revenue, and ultimately grow their business and brand.
Sudden Inception Productions is positioned as a video strategy company, where we work with our clients to tailor video packages specifically for them, whether it’s an event you want covered or an interview or a small docuseries, we can cover all your needs.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Being behind the camera and making music. I’ve been playing piano since I was about 7, and I play guitar, drums, bass, basically anything that makes a noise I can play it and make it musical.
During COVID, I picked up learning music production, utilizing these skills I’ve had since I was a child, and I create music for the videos I make.
Filming things is something I love to do and I can see myself doing it forever and it brings my joy. My first love, however, is music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suddeninceptionproductions.com
- Instagram: @suddeninception
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidpadki/
