Nothing Is Ordinary: The Mudhorn Media Mission

Truth Beyond Shadows

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to filter out the noise, turn down the volume, and dismiss what seems ordinary. We get used to tuning out the distractions, focusing only on what’s necessary to move us forward. But in doing so, we miss the incredible stories hiding in plain sight. A discarded piece of aluminum could be the key to something new. A simple cardboard box could be the foundation for a mighty fortress. And every moment we pass by is filled with untapped potential waiting to be discovered.

At Mudhorn Media, we challenge you to look at the world with new eyes. We believe that nothing in your world is truly ordinary—not the people, the moments, or even the objects that fill your space. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary lies in how we choose to see the world and how we choose to engage with it.

Our Worldview: Ordinary is Only What You Let It Be

Too often, we let our minds settle for simplicity, for the bare minimum, and for what’s familiar. We accept things as they are, without questioning what they could become. But this view keeps us from realizing the limitless possibilities that are just waiting to be unlocked. We walk past the things that could be transformed into something incredible simply because we don’t stop to look at them through a different lens.

At Mudhorn Media, we don’t just see the world as it is—we see it for what it could be. We take the ordinary, the overlooked, the dismissed, and we turn it into something extraordinary. From a cardboard box to a tool for a child’s imagination, from a small moment to a defining experience, our goal is to help you see what’s possible. We believe that every idea, every interaction, every piece of content has the potential to be something bigger, something that inspires, excites, and motivates.

The Power of Perspective

Creativity starts with perspective. What we see isn’t always what is there; it’s what we make of it. A piece of recycled aluminum isn’t just metal; it’s a material with new purpose. A box is not simply a container; it’s a place where stories are built. Our job at Mudhorn Media is to take these ordinary things and transform them, using a fresh perspective to tell stories that break through the noise.

This is more than just a creative strategy. It’s our way of seeing the world and engaging with it. When we look at the raw materials of your business, your brand, and your mission, we don’t see them as static objects. We see them as something more—something that, with the right perspective and creative approach, can become something extraordinary. We don't just create content; we create transformative experiences that resonate with your audience, challenge their perceptions, and drive them to take action.

The Challenge: Embrace the Extraordinary

The question is never whether your world is ordinary. It’s whether you’re willing to challenge it. Are you ready to look at your brand and your business and see the untapped potential within? Are you prepared to break free from the limits of what’s comfortable and explore the extraordinary?

At Mudhorn Media, we help you do just that. We inspire you to step beyond the ordinary and embrace the unknown. To do more. To see more. To be more. The choice is yours, and it starts with how you decide to engage with the world around you.

We are storytellers who don’t just see the world for what it is. We see it for what it could be. And we’re here to help you do the same.

The Mudhorn Media Mission

Our mission is simple: to help you see the extraordinary in the everyday. Whether we’re creating captivating video content, reimagining your brand’s voice, or transforming your marketing strategy, we are committed to helping you unlock the potential that’s always been there, just waiting to be discovered.

We believe that when we challenge ourselves to look beyond the ordinary, we find the stories that inspire, that move, and that create lasting impact. And we’re here to help you tell those stories—stories that don’t just inform but transform, that don’t just entertain but engage, that don’t just exist but change the way we see the world.

In 2025, we invite you to join us in embracing the challenge: nothing is ordinary. The world is full of possibilities, and the choice to make them extraordinary is yours. Let’s make this year the one where we unlock the potential of the everyday and transform the ordinary into something unforgettable.

Welcome to Mudhorn Media. Where nothing is ordinary.

The Future of Storytelling: Jarrod Weise on the Disruptive Power of OpenAI’s Sora and the Promise of Text-to-Video AI

An inactive Holodeck pre-2371

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Holodeck

Introduction: A New Chapter in Media Creation

The media industry thrives on innovation, but few advancements have stirred as much excitement and unease as OpenAI’s latest announcement, Sora. This groundbreaking text-to-video AI technology has the potential to revolutionize storytelling, turning single images into entire narratives. To unpack what this means for the future of media, I sat down with Jarrod Weise, the founder of Mudhorn Media, a content-first digital marketing agency that prides itself on crafting extraordinary stories for businesses. Weise’s perspective, rooted in optimism and realism, reveals a thoughtful balance between the opportunities and challenges of this new frontier.

The Interview: A Conversation with Jarrod Weise

Carrie Friday: Jarrod, let’s dive right in. OpenAI’s Sora is making waves in the tech and media world. As someone deeply invested in storytelling, what’s your reaction?

Jarrod Weise: It’s incredible, Carrie. The idea of generating fully realized narratives from a single image feels like something out of science fiction. What excites me most is the potential to democratize storytelling. You don’t need a massive team or budget to create compelling content anymore—just vision and a willingness to experiment. That said, the tech isn’t without its pitfalls. It’s a tool, not a replacement for human creativity.

Carrie: Let’s talk about those pitfalls. What challenges do you foresee?

Jarrod: There are two major ones: authenticity and misuse. First, authenticity—how do you ensure audiences know what they’re watching? Transparency is critical. Second, misuse—like any technology, it can be abused. Think about misinformation or overly polished narratives that obscure the truth. As creators and businesses, we have a responsibility to wield this tool ethically.

Carrie: Mudhorn Media’s mantra is “nothing is ordinary.” How does that philosophy align with the capabilities of text-to-video AI?

Jarrod: AI fits perfectly with our belief in turning ordinary moments into extraordinary stories. The beauty of Sora is that it can take a snapshot—a seemingly mundane moment—and extrapolate an entire narrative. That’s powerful for businesses looking to connect emotionally with their audience. But the magic still lies in how you frame and guide the AI’s output. It’s the human touch that elevates the technology.

Carrie: You’ve mentioned that this tech is great for “moments.” Can you explain why you think it’s less suited for larger narratives?

Jarrod: Larger narratives require nuance, context, and emotional depth that AI just can’t replicate—not yet, at least. AI can generate compelling visuals and weave a basic story, but it lacks the soul that comes from lived experiences. That’s why I see it as a complement to human creativity, not a replacement.

Carrie: The concept of creating stories from a single image is fascinating. But does it feel, for lack of a better word, artificial?

Jarrod: That’s a valid concern, and it comes back to how we present it. Imagine creating a short story from a candid photo—AI can add layers of meaning and context, but it’s up to us to decide what feels authentic. It’s less about “faking” a story and more about exploring possibilities.

Carrie: You’re a big Star Trek fan. How does Sora’s potential connect to the holodeck, a staple of the franchise?

Jarrod: The holodeck is the ultimate storytelling platform—a place where you can live inside a narrative. Sora is a step in that direction. Imagine using AI-generated video to pitch a concept, immerse a client in an idea, or even prototype a scene for a film. While it’s not fully immersive yet, the seeds are there. What excites me is the idea of bridging the gap between concept and reality with something as dynamic as the holodeck.

Carrie: Business leaders often see AI as a double-edged sword. What’s your advice to them about adopting this technology?

Jarrod: My advice is simple: don’t fear it; test it. Embrace AI as a low-risk experiment to see how it can enhance your business objectives. It’s not about replacing your creative teams—it’s about empowering them with tools that make storytelling more accessible, efficient, and engaging. Use it to amplify your message, not replace your voice.

Carrie: Let’s talk ethics. How do we ensure AI-driven content maintains integrity?

Jarrod: Transparency is non-negotiable. Audiences deserve to know when content is AI-generated. That doesn’t mean the output is any less meaningful, but being upfront builds trust. It’s also about setting guidelines—how do we use AI in ways that inform, inspire, and engage without misleading or manipulating?

Carrie: What role do you see for text-to-video AI in Mudhorn Media’s future?

Jarrod: I see it as a natural extension of what we do. For instance, we could use it to create quick, high-impact content for social media—think dynamic visuals for campaigns or bite-sized storytelling pieces. But the foundation will always be human creativity. AI is a tool, not the centerpiece.

Carrie: One last question. If you had to imagine a future where AI and human creators work in harmony, what does that look like?

Jarrod: It looks like a partnership. Humans provide the vision, emotion, and direction; AI handles the heavy lifting to bring those ideas to life faster and more affordably. Together, they push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling, creating richer, more immersive experiences.

Exploring the Bigger Picture: What Sora Means for Media

Jarrod Weise’s insights paint a compelling picture of the future of storytelling. Sora, and text-to-video AI technologies like it, represent a paradigm shift in how content is created. But as Weise emphasizes, their success will hinge on how creators and businesses choose to integrate them—ethically, transparently, and creatively.

The potential to craft narratives from single moments is powerful, but the responsibility to wield this power thoughtfully is equally significant. For business leaders, this is an invitation to explore, test, and embrace the possibilities of AI from a place of safety and curiosity.

As we edge closer to a future where Star Trek’s holodeck feels less like science fiction and more like reality, one thing is clear: the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence is where the real magic will happen.

Steal Greg Williams’s Secrets: How to Take Candid Photos Like a Pro (Even With Your Phone)

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Ever scrolled through Instagram, saw someone’s candid shots, and thought, “Why don’t my photos look this cool?” You’re not alone. Capturing those effortlessly natural moments can feel like chasing unicorns—but it doesn’t have to be. Inspired by Greg Williams, the king of celebrity candids, we’re breaking down the secrets to mastering candid photography, even if you’ve never touched anything fancier than your phone camera.

Why Candid Photography is the Real Deal

Candid photos capture raw, unfiltered emotion. There’s no awkward, “Say cheese!” Just pure moments that tell a story. Greg Williams’s work with Hollywood’s elite proves one thing: people shine brightest when they feel at ease. And you can do the same for your family, friends, or even pets (let’s be real, they’re part of the family too).

So, how can you level up your candid game without feeling like a paparazzo? Here’s how.

1. Embrace the Light You Have

Think of light as your best friend. Whether it’s the golden hour glow, the soft flicker of a candle, or even the stark white of a kitchen bulb, use it to your advantage. Greg Williams swears by natural light—and for good reason. It creates depth and mood without the harshness of a flash.

Pro Tip: Position your subject near a window for that dreamy, cinematic look. Shooting outdoors? Keep the sun behind your subject for a soft halo effect.

2. Be Invisible (But Not Creepy)

The key to capturing authentic moments is making your subject forget you’re even there. Greg Williams achieves this by blending in and letting life unfold naturally. The less your loved ones feel like they’re “on camera,” the more genuine their expressions will be.

Pro Tip: Engage in a conversation while snapping photos, or use burst mode to quietly capture moments as they happen. Bonus: Your camera roll might look like a movie reel.

3. Frame the Story

Composition is where the magic happens. A well-framed candid photo draws the eye to the emotion, the movement, or the connection between subjects. Play around with leading lines, natural frames (like doorways or arches), or layering subjects to add depth.

Pro Tip: Avoid centering everything. Use the rule of thirds—imagine a grid dividing your frame into nine squares. Place your subject along those lines or intersections. Boom, instant masterpiece.

4. Build Rapport Like a Pro

Whether you’re photographing a friend, a partner, or your giggling toddler, trust is everything. Greg Williams often chats with his subjects to put them at ease. The result? Photos that feel intimate and honest.

Pro Tip: Crack a joke, share a memory, or just vibe with your subject. When they feel comfortable, you’ll capture their best (and most candid) selves.

5. Keep Your Camera Ready

Life moves fast, and the best candid shots happen when you least expect them. Whether it’s the sparkle in someone’s eyes during a laugh or a quiet moment of reflection, be ready to snap at a moment’s notice.

Pro Tip: Always keep your phone or camera within arm’s reach. Practice snapping quickly without obsessing over settings. Remember: Candid is about the moment, not perfection.

Let’s See Your Best Shots!

Now that you’re armed with these candid photography tips, it’s time to put them to use. Got a shot you’re proud of? Mudhorn Media wants to see it! Share your candid photos with us, and we’ll give them a complimentary post-production glow-up. Because every great moment deserves a little extra magic.

Candid photography isn’t about having the fanciest gear or the most elaborate setups. It’s about being present, observing the beauty in everyday moments, and capturing them with heart. With a little practice (and maybe a smidge of patience), you’ll be snapping like Greg Williams in no time.

Ready, set, snap!

Unlock Pro-Level Shots: How to Take Stunning Pictures with Your Smartphone

In today's world, your smartphone can be a powerful tool for capturing breathtaking photos. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or just want to enhance your photography skills, it’s easier than ever to produce high-quality images. At Mudhorn Media, we specialize in digital strategy and video production, and we’re here to share our top tips for taking better pictures with your smartphone.

1. Focus on Lighting

Lighting is everything when it comes to photography. Natural light is your best friend, so aim to shoot during the golden hour—just after sunrise or before sunset—for soft, flattering light. If you're indoors, position your subject near a window and avoid harsh overhead lighting.

2. Use Gridlines for Balance

Turning on gridlines in your camera settings helps you follow the rule of thirds, a principle that divides your frame into nine parts. Position key elements along the lines or at their intersections to create a balanced, visually appealing shot.

3. Clean Your Lens

Your smartphone is constantly in your pocket or hand, and the lens can easily gather dirt and smudges. Take a moment to clean it before shooting to ensure your photos are sharp and clear. It’s a simple trick, but it makes a huge difference.

4. Tap to Focus

Smartphones can sometimes struggle with autofocus, especially in low-light settings. Tapping on the subject you want to focus on ensures that it’s sharp and well-exposed. Most smartphones also allow you to adjust exposure by sliding up or down on the screen after tapping.

5. Experiment with Angles

Don’t just take a picture from eye level—experiment with different angles! Shooting from a low angle can make your subject look more powerful, while a high angle adds a sense of depth. Try capturing your shots from multiple perspectives to find the one that tells your story best.

6. Use HDR Mode Wisely

HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode helps balance the exposure in tricky lighting situations. It can be especially helpful when there’s a big contrast between light and dark areas in your shot. Use it when photographing landscapes or scenes with high contrast, but be careful not to overuse it as it can make some images look unnatural.

7. Avoid Zooming In

Instead of zooming in with your phone’s digital zoom, move closer to your subject. Digital zoom reduces the quality of your photos, making them appear pixelated and blurry. If you can’t get closer physically, consider cropping the photo afterward for a higher-quality result.

8. Don’t Forget to Edit

Editing can take a good photo and make it great. Most smartphones have built-in editing tools, but if you want to take your photos to the next level, try using apps like Lightroom or Snapseed for more advanced adjustments. From adjusting brightness to enhancing colors, a little post-production work can go a long way.

Ready to Elevate Your Photos?

Think you’ve captured a great shot but want to make it truly shine? Send your favorite phone photos to Mudhorn Media, and we’ll optimize them in post-production—complimentary! Let’s work together to make your content stand out.

Luns for Laughs: The Creation of This Old Datacenter

Behind the scenes with This Old Data Center

After almost a year after the launch, I feel like it's time to return to where it began. While you may or may not have seen This Old Datacenter (yet), I learned some incredible lessons while building what turned out to be a long-shot success.

I would love to tell you that some incredible marketing think tank churned out what was a whimsical look into something extremely ordinary; it was the exact opposite. It was just a joke: a few glasses of wine with the extended team, a passion for flannel, and the beards that shaped our collective childhood. We made jokes about how close the home improvement shows of yesteryear could be applied. We had more than a few laughs; some of those jokes even made the final cut. As I often do, I took much of that concept and applied pen to paper. How do we make these work, not just come together to have fun, but deliver the message and get people to watch it? I quietly built out what would be the framework for a short television show we could use to get people excited about something very ordinary. 

While initial passes were met with a resounding "yes," it wasn't enough to get lift-off; it had to have some higher support to get exactly what we wanted with little to no interference. Once the initial concept was baked, I had to take a personal interest in selling the idea. It's nice to have marketing say, "That's so funny we should do that" but supporting the concept is a whole different thing. I spent a few more happy hours with high-level partner marketing and communications teammates and pitched the idea in detail. I sprinkled in the high-level concept and the details of its birth and shared a few jokes. Again, it was met with a resounding "yes." I believe the words used were, "I don't care what it costs; we are doing this," at that moment, I had just enough extra energy to run. So, we flew.

We had to fit a very large-scale project into a concise window. The team was up against a make-or-break deadline, and we had a significant partner event around the corner where we would have all the folks we needed in the same place at the same time. But that meant we would need to book the crew, recruit the talent, and secure the space in only a few weeks. Even more, we had to shoot it in one day. Impossible? Not totally, but…. close. Once we decided collectively we were going for it, we decided there was no turning back. Book it all, and we will figure it out. We declined to script it, which had its own set of risks, but based on a happy hour, my co-worker and I had all the chemistry and style we needed to shoot from the hip. The major unknown was whether anyone else would keep up. Mind you, these are technical folks; they know their stuff but aren't known for creative work, especially a comedic take on their livelihood. After asking a few folks we knew could at least make a solid attempt, they all said yes without hesitation. Now, I was starting to get excited; the energy was growing little by little every day, and these were the pieces we needed to know something extraordinary was about to happen. 

Once the day came, I was called into our studio for the day. It was nothing more than a 12x12ft room with far too many people in it and even more lighting. I was initially shocked to see four chairs against a green screen. This was different from the vision. Luckily, I had been obsessing over this idea for months. I had a vision, and it was up to me to present it, so I went to my truck and pulled out all my home construction equipment. It was an entire job site I brought as props, sawhorses, 2x4s, and even some working data center equipment. The production team was very accommodating. After flipping over a few tables and setting up, they began to see the vision. It was the moment we went from stuffy corporate video to something you might see on Saturday Night Live. I received a nod from the team for art direction, and at that point, my confidence swelled, knowing we had the best version possible.

 Showtime. One by one, we called each guest of the show into the room, which ranged from VP level to individual contributor, but these were our folks. They got it immediately, and being unscripted, we had to run as fast as possible. Each episode was done in one take; if I recall, only two needed more, and it was due to the laughter from the production team or the folks waiting their turn. It was hilarious, much didn't make the show, but what did was genuine. Every single one of those moments was as real as it gets; the laughs were side-splitting, and it hardly felt like work. We ended up shooting nine episodes in about 8 hours; we had planned for seven but added two since word had gotten out about what we were doing and a few high-level folks requested to be involved.

I suppose much of the hard work was done. A labor of laughter was now at the mercy of the editor to take what we gave them and spin gold. I assumed this might take some time, but the initial pass was only a few weeks; as it turns out, we shot it well enough fast enough that the editing wasn't all that difficult. Major props to them for the intro they made up and nailed. We had the thumbs up to move forward. Some initial screens were met with tears of laughter and quite a few deep sighs of disappointment, but this was it; we had exactly what we set out to get. I did not realize that the entire campaign was being built quietly around the concept in the background. Social media was involved, and we had the series as a cornerstone of trade booths for every event after its launch; it had evolved into a movement. I was mainly shocked seeing it on Loop, our booth for our partner conference. I was more shocked when a few people came up to see us and shared how amazing they thought it was. Once the VP of my organization told me she watched it and loved it, I was more than taken aback. Marketing was flooded with numerous other partner requests to do an episode, but they had to tell them "no"; they lacked the energy and charisma of the hosts, and that simply could not be replicated.

A year later, these videos still show up here and there. I laugh and think back to every moment that led to each one; I smile at each joke made off-screen and will never forget making each of my co-workers cry tears of laughter at some point. I was lucky not only to pull it off but also to be proud of each person involved. There is no way the project would have gone anywhere if it were for a deeply connected team of people who had the same vision and bet big. It was an incredible lesson in detail and passion that I will never forget and the message I would send to others. Not everyone has to love it, but if a few really love it, it is all worth it.