A76 | a design pod 040: Ideas in motion with Cal Engel
Nov 26, 2025
In this engaging conversation, videographer and photographer Cal Engel shares his journey from crafting internal videos to touring with the Jonas Brothers and founding AV Collective. He discusses the importance of storytelling in his projects, especially about real people's lives, and how chaotic environments can fuel creativity. Cal also reveals his favorite sources of inspiration, from unplugging during biking to exploring artsy content, and emphasizes the need to adapt during shoots while staying true to one’s creative instincts.
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From Art Apprentice To Tour Photographer
- Cal Engel began as an art apprentice at Simon Marketing, then moved to The Marketing Store and built internal video capabilities for big brands.
- That foundation led to a sudden tour job with the Jonas Brothers and a shift into full-time photography and video work.
Building A Scalable Production Company
- Cal left a startup and started AV Collective to scale production up or down depending on project needs.
- The company now manages multi-country shoots and assembles large volumes of video for clients.
Take Full Creative Briefs When Possible
- Prioritize projects where clients give you a one-sentence idea and let you execute start-to-finish.
- Those briefs let Cal tell real people stories and produce the most rewarding work.