MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT: SHAINA ALLEN & MIKE ESPOSITO

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Could you tell our readers who you are and what it is that you do?

We are Shaina Allen and Mike Esposito, we are filmmakers and the co-founders of Evergrain Studios.

Evergrain is a video production company, creative studio, and container for our creative work, where we tell stories guided by authenticity and a commitment to positive impact.

We develop and produce documentaries, and work with brands and businesses to create more authentic, engaging content. As creatives we also collaborate with other artists and organizations as freelancers - often in a director, producer, cinematographer, or consultant role. Evergrain’s past work has won multiple awards, streamed on Netflix and in-flight on Delta Airlines, broadcast on NBC, and has been featured in hundreds of schools and theaters around the world.

You may have seen us around town with our cameras or walking around the art park with our blue-eyed husky Keiko. Our “wolfpack” loves being outdoors when we’re not creating and collaborating at Studio IX.

What do you love most about the work?

Mike: I’m energized by helping to bring a creative vision to life, and then experiencing the impact that work has on individuals and communities. Our work allows opportunities for collaboration and connection with fascinating people, vibrant communities, and meaningful relationships.

Shai: The creative process. I flow when building story structure and envisioning the scenes and montage builds, storyboarding animations, music, scriptwriting, etc. Production - especially when capturing natural moments, I love being present with life as it’s unfolding. We are capturing stories that aren’t traditionally highlighted in mainstream media, but fully deserve to have a platform. We have seen first-hand how documentaries and character-driven content can build bridges for perspectives and create real impact.

How did you both arrive at this place professionally? What’s your backstory?

Mike: Some highlights of our story:

  • We both attended James Madison University in nearby Harrisonburg, VA. We met on a JMU study abroad trip to the Philippines.

  • We moved to Miami, worked full time jobs, at one point both at CBS Sports.

  • Took a leap of faith, left our jobs to start our own video production business, Shaina Koren Cinematography.

  • Started filming a promo video for a local non-profit wheelchair basketball team (which we would end up filming for two more years).

  • Built an award-winning wedding cinematography and video production company.

  • Edited our first independent feature The Rebound, the non-profit promo had evolved now 3 years later!

  • The documentary premiered at 20+ film festivals, streamed on Netflix and on Delta Airlines. It was a big step for us.

  • Leap of faith. Dove into the creative process on new projects. Worked on expanding our team, growing the studio and producing a slate of original films. Bootstrapping it all, we trekked out to California and around the country filming for three new projects: Forged in the Fire, Moving Minds, and Para.

  • Returned to Charlottesville to calibrate, right before the pandemic took us all by surprise.

We are currently capturing the story of Prolyfyck Run Creww and are still in various stages of the development and post-production on the other stories.

The past few seasons, like for many, have been challenging. We have pivoted, adapted and persisted. We also learned to slow down, to get more clarity and to heal.

We’re open to work. #ItsAllAboutHowYouRebound

Has there been a light switch moment along the way? Something that set you on the course that you’re on today?

Shai: There are a few moments of transformation that have stayed with me. There was a student at a middle school who after watching The Rebound in class told his math teacher that he too is a wheelchair basketball player. He walks but has spina bifida. The organizer asked him if he’d like to participate in the school assembly for the film, unsure he asked, “Can I think about it?”

Flash forward a week as he shined in front of his classmates at the assembly, first for his 7th grade peers and then again when he excitedly asked if he could stay for the 8th grade assembly. I had asked him if he wanted to speak for the first time, “no.” Second time, after going through the first assembly with a Paralympian and local ballers, he nodded at me and grabbed the microphone.

Days earlier his classmates may not have known he was an athlete, a wheelchair basketball player - but after watching The Rebound in class, sharing with his teacher, deciding overnight that YES he’d participate in the assembly - here he was sharing his story with the entire gym full of 8th grade students. Maybe for the first time in front of his classmates, he was able to be exactly who he is and show everyone his abilities.

His mom came up to me a few months later at a tournament and shared how that experience transformed him, he was more confident than ever. Film is a powerful artistic medium. It has the power to transform, bridge connection, and cliche as it is - change the world.

What are you currently working on, excited about, looking forward to?


Mike: We have several exciting documentary projects in various stages, from development

and fundraising to post production.

Currently, a few of our projects are at the intersection of sports and social impact. A collab with local organization Prolyfyck Run Creww; a set of incredible stories featuring female Parlympians; and a unique look into mindset and mental skills training in the sports world.

I’m also personally excited about bringing our experience with creative storytelling and media to the growing cannabis and hemp industry here in our region. Shai is leaning into creative collaborations with local entrepreneurs and artists who want to expand into video content. We have some exciting new offers for 2022, including heirloom films that preserve the history and stories of elders while they are still here with us.

What’s the single most important value that drives your work each day?

Shai: My personal values are Presence, Growth, Bold, Sustainable, Impact, and Community. Defining our five core values was a practice our mentor Anthony Lee (Heroic Voice Academy) taught us years ago. I have added 1 since then.

Mike: I’m driven by the understanding that our creative work is a form of service, to our partners, the communities we belong to. Filmmaking is our way of using our skills to help make an impact, and lift others up. Through this service, we are constantly learning, growing, and collaborating. And that’s pure energy that keeps us going.

How’s it been working here at Studio IX?

Mike: Studio IX has offered not only a space to create, but also a sense of community. Especially during the past couple of years when we’ve all been met with unexpected challenges. It’s a place where we’re able to establish a foundation for our business here in Charlottesville and gather with our collaborators.

Shai: Amazing! J-bird is the best and IX is a welcoming space with great people; community is never far. I feel at home here.

Closing thoughts? Anything we missed that you’d like to share?

We invite you to check out our work, and reach out to us if you have any questions or ideas you’d like help bringing to life through film and video. Please say hi - we’d love to meet you. Here is our field notes signup to follow along with our journey.