From Hater to Skater
Daylen despised ice skating and vowed that of all the sports and activities his kids wanted to pursue, he would support them in everything except ice skating. He and his sore bum agreed that he could never teach his children how to skate. However, when his 4-year-old daughter expressed her desire to learn, it melted his heart. Determined to support her dream, Daylen took years of classes so he could join her on the ice. Now, Daylen bonds with his daughter on the ice, who is an accomplished figure skater, and to his surprise, his bum isn't as sore as he thought it would be.
Basketball Passion:
Daylen loves playing basketball, but he was always cut from his high school team. Despite this, he continued practicing daily even after high school and became a great player. His dedication paid off, and most people now think he was a college player when they see him dunk or swish his 3-pointers.
Film Career Spark:
Daylen’s passion for filmmaking started at age 7 when he was terrified by the film "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." His dad helped him overcome his fear by making a stop-motion video together, which ignited Daylen’s love for filmmaking. This experience changed his life and set him on his path in the film industry.
Family Influence:
Daylen’s dad and uncle Dee made legendary short films together. Although his uncle passed away when Daylen was young, his influence remains a significant part of Daylen's life and career in filmmaking.
Early Filmmaking Adventures:
At age 12, Daylen's dad gave him an old computer program called Microsoft 3D Movie Maker. Daylen spent most of his days creating movies with it, including "Bongo," a homeless man wanting to become an NBA player, and "Ross," the Boxing Detective. He even charged his sisters and friends a penny each to watch his films, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit early on.
YouTube Beginnings:
In high school, Daylen started a YouTube channel making silly videos, quickly gaining 34 subscribers. His most popular video was a humorous plea for subscribers to buy him an ice cream cone, resulting in him receiving a few cones and even a shirt.
High School Film Class:
In high school, Daylen impressed his film teacher with a project featuring singing snowmen, leading to him helping teach the class. Together, they created local commercials still used by businesses today.
Missionary Adventures:
During his missionary work in Brazil, Daylen was known for his dedication and ability to inspire others. His experiences on the mission deepened his faith and commitment, shaping his perspective and approach to life and filmmaking.
Career Shift to Filmmaking:
In 2018, Daylen left his job at 4Life Research, where he managed operations in Brazil and made impactful marketing videos. Encouraged by his wife, he learned Adobe Premiere Pro to improve his skills, despite finding it challenging initially.
Founding Pollard Pictures:
In March 2023, inspired by a question from his wife about his long-term career goals, Daylen decided to pursue his dream of owning a large film production company. Pollard Pictures aims to set a new standard for family content in filmmaking.
