By Luke Voss, Lexi Bunting, Whitney Stephen 

BLOOMINGTON Ind. (April 3, 2025) 

At Indiana University, Jada Tamia Parks has built something special from the ground up. As the founder and creator of M3 Productions, a production house that focuses on movies, music, and media, she’s brought together a group of like-minded students who share her passion for the film industry. For Parks and her team, M3 isn’t just about creating—it’s about learning, growing, and gaining real-world experience together, all while still in college.  “The goal is really for all of our members to get really immersed in the film industry as much as we can at this age,” said Parks. 

Jada Tamia Parks finds creative sparks in the depths of the Well B. Library film collection. She is one of the founders and creators of M3 Productions and she is always looking for an idea to stick. Photo L. Bunting

Made up of a group of freshmen at Indiana University, M3 Productions is taking their passion for film to new heights, with plans to turn their shared vision into a recognized presence on campus. The group, composed of talented students eager to make their mark in the film industry, is still in the early stages of their journey—but their ambition is already clear, to build a diverse catalog of films on their YouTube channel and establish themselves as a serious force in amateur production.

Through collaboration and dedication, they aim to demonstrate their skills and creativity, earning credibility within both the student body and the larger film community. With hopes of becoming an official student club by next year, M3 Productions seeks to create a space where aspiring filmmakers can come together, learn, and grow through hands-on experience. The group’s efforts reflect not only their individual passions but also their commitment to building a lasting impact on IU’s creative landscape.

Reading over script after script Isaiah Hamilton practices lines with co-actor Elizabeth Hauser. Hamilton is often know for going off script and improving but will look over the script before takes. Photo L. Bunting

The statement we want to put out there is that you’re never too young to start,” said Jada Tamia Parks, founder of M3 Productions. “Though we’re all young, we don’t feel the need to wait for opportunities to come to us or for things to be handed to us. We’re taking initiative and starting now,” she added, emphasizing the group’s drive to create and take control of their future in the film industry.

Currently, M3 Productions is focused on Wavelength, their latest project, which delves into the experiences of students entering college for the first time. This project aims to capture the unique and relatable stories of new students navigating the challenges of higher education. In addition to Wavelength, the group has recently completed several short films, showcasing their growing range and talent. Many members of the team take on multiple roles, working behind the scenes in production as well as stepping in front of the camera as actors. Despite the demanding workload, every member remains passionate and enthusiastic, eager to contribute to the group’s vision. Their dedication to the work is a testament to their commitment to storytelling and their drive to connect with an audience that can relate to their work.

Group of actors and actresses of M3 Production sit and wait in between filming shots. Due to the amount of time member of M3 Productions spend together many great bonds have been established. Photo E. Hauser. 

As a group, M3 Productions is always on the lookout for new projects to take on. Every biweekly, they hold pitch meetings to discuss the scheduling, details, and progress of current projects, as well as brainstorm ideas for new projects. One of the group members, Max Brinkmeyer, is currently working on a script that tackles the powerful theme of overcoming addiction. “I think portraying tough subjects within young adult media is important. We want these scenes to speak to people,” said Brinkmeyer, emphasizing the group’s desire to create work that resonates with a wide audience. These pitch meetings can become chaotic at times, as multiple voices compete to share ideas and get their thoughts heard. Despite the lively discussions, the group thrives on collaboration and creativity, using each meeting as an opportunity to refine their vision and take their projects to the next level.

One of the biggest struggles M3 Productions faces is working with limited resources as college-aged filmmakers. Being young artists comes with its own set of challenges, and the group is no stranger to the reality of tight budgets. ‘We are all just broke college kids trying to get something out there, we want to put time and effort into it,’ said Isaiah Hamilton, the creator of M3 Productions. Despite the financial obstacles, the group remains dedicated to their craft, finding creative solutions to bring their projects to life and push forward with their passion for filmmaking.