Ahead of his time, Michael Hicks created A Unique Video nearly three decades ago, offering video production services to the tri-state area. He’s added media transfer to his range of services, where he can convert old VHS tapes and film to a DVD or flash drive.
While Hicks regularly produces content for local businesses and nonprofits like Owensboro Catholic Schools and Joy Johnson’s Dance Studio, he’s also created some award-winning short films and documentaries.
Most notably, his editing work on The Noble Heirs, a powerful tribute to the WWII heroes of occupied France, was honored at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Hicks also edited Romp, 2007, a DVD produced through the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where he also edits most of their oral history documentaries.
Another noteworthy project is The Journey Continues, a 2-DVD collection about the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team winning the national championship. The set was sold as the top-banner product along with head coach John Calipari’s book during the Christmas season that year.
“I’ve been doing this for 28 years, and I really enjoy doing it,” Hicks said. “I have had a lot of people break down in tears when I convert old home movies.”
While only in the planning phase right now, Hicks has aspirations to launch Your Story soon, a service where he produces short documentaries for families to pass down for generations. He envisions three package levels; the first would simply be recorded oral stories, the second would include photos and production elements, and the third would resemble a KET-style documentary.
“Everyone has a story to tell, and it’s our job to preserve it,” he said. “With cloud storage, I really think the concept will take off with many families wanting to do it. I’m excited to launch it this year.”
Hicks was born and raised in Owensboro, graduating from Owensboro Catholic High in 1990 and Western Kentucky University in 1995. He remembers his early days in the industry when everything was analog, far before today’s digital age.
“I’ve seen both sides of the fence,” he said. “I consider myself lucky to work on productions before we even fathomed what a computer could do. I was able to hone in on the craft without technology and truly grasp the art of filmmaking – that was a good thing for me.”
He recalled having hardware such as processing amps and title makers spread across a table, editing videos in real time. In 2000, he purchased his first computer, a custom-made beauty with 40 gigs for $8,000, from a company in California. He said his current system is 1,000 times better than anything he used during his early days.
A Unique Video also provides wedding video services, deposition work for attorneys, and any other form of video production. To learn more about Hicks and the company, visit them on Facebook here.
Hicks credits the Owensboro community for his successes and is grateful to Terry Woodward at Wax Works for helping him get started on the right track.
“I’ve always said Owensboro is what you make it,” Hicks said. “From my perspective, there are a lot of opportunities if you’re willing to work hard. I used my talents and work ethic during those early years to find a niche in Owensboro, and I’ve been blessed with continued business.”
