Bradwell Institute and Georgia State University graduate Joshua Ingram recently was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Army Substance Abuse Program in Fort Stewart for his videography work. Ingram spent the month of April with the program during its alcohol awareness campaign.
Army Substance Abuse Program Director Chakiris Moss presented Ingram with the certificate, signed by Director of Human Resources Thomas A. Allmon, during a brief ceremony on Wednesday, June 29. It states: “Ingram dedicated his time and professionalism to the execution of this event by filming all events during this campaign. His efforts helped bring awareness to this campaign at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. Your contributions enabled our soldiers and civilians to complete their mission at the highest levels. Your dedication to service is commendable and reflects favorably upon you.”
“It means the world to me,” Ingram said about receiving the certificate. “I feel like (I’m) getting the BET Award, because you don’t know how many lives you’ve just saved from the video. Now they know more about the alcohol and substance awareness program.”
Ingram is the founder of TheDream E.N.T LLC, which he started May 15, 2020, while living in Atlanta. After graduating from GSU, Ingram began the videography business with the purpose of capturing special moments in people’s lives.
“And for businesses as well,” the sociology major said. “And to encourage the youth to never give up.”
Ingram moved his company back to his native city of Hinesville after battling COVID in 2020.
“I live here, and I’m ready to work and encourage the youth,” he said.
Always looking to perfect his skills, Ingram is currently attending Savannah Technical College. He said being back home has allowed him to be free from distractions.
“To really hone in to what God’s purpose is in my life, and hone in and really study,” he said. “When I came back home, it changed my mindset and changed my habits.”
Ingram played football for the BI Tigers and for GSU as a walk-on athlete. He previously mentored youth at Lithonia High School and said he is looking to do the same for kids in Hinesville.
“I want to show them another avenue other than sports,” he said.
Ingram said it was his Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity brother Nathan Wallace who helped him connect with people with the Army Substance Abuse Program and earn the video gig.
In addition to the video Ingram created for the Army Substance Abuse Program, he has recorded and edited videos for professional NBA player Dwight Howard, professional basketball player Sam Daniel, FPCA baseball, Bradwell Institute women’s track & field and much more.
“Sam Daniel is a fantastic basketball player who had a workout session with Dwight Howard,” Ingram said.
Daniel, who is from Camden County but met Ingram while both were in Atlanta, asked Ingram to video the workout sessions.
“Dwight Howard saw the videos, and he loved them,” Ingram said.
Daniel showed his ability to shoot in the videos, averaging 20 points per game in the sessions, which led to a workout with the Mavericks, Ingram said.
Ingram said he believes God placed this vision in his life, which began when he was watching Netflix one day and wondered why he couldn’t make his own videos.
“Pictures could mean a thousand words,” he said. “But getting the different angles and learning the camera movements can tell a bigger story with more meaning, and I fell in love with it.”
Ingram said he loves to film sporting events, birthdays and personal moments.
“People are not capturing these moments that are happening in the city, and I want to be the person who captures those moments.”
His current mentor, John Grace, is the technical film instructor at STC. Grace has more than 25 years of experience in film production, with nearly two decades working as a film and media educator. He co-founded the South-West Institute of Film and Television in 1997. Selected credits include “Better Call Saul”; “Whisky, Tango Foxtrot”; “Breaking Bad”; “The Space Between Us”; “Independence Day — Resurgence”; “Longmire” and many more.
“He taught me everything I needed to know within the film industry,” Ingram said, adding that he got the opportunity to work an active film shoot in Savannah recently.
“I want the youth and kids to know that no matter what, you can achieve your goals. Just focus and give God his praise to make it happen,” he said. “I’m just a humble spirit working as His servant.”
Ingram said he plans to start making short films in the future.
Visit his website at https://www.thedreame.net.