Meet Eden Sabolboro

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eden Sabolboro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eden, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Much like a lot of immigrant-owned and founded businesses in the US, ReelClever was borne out of necessity, out of the need to create our own pathway into the local film and video production industry as new immigrants from the Philippines. Arriving in Metro Detroit in 2014, in a time where the film incentives that brought hundreds of industry jobs was halted, the barriers of entry were especially higher. While working our entry-level jobs and after sending what felt like dozens upon dozens of job applications and inquiries to local agencies and other production companies, my partner Thaad (who is also our in-house director of photography) and myself decided to acquire our very first video equipment with what little capital we had to work with, decided to bet on ourselves, and as they say, the rest is history. It’s been a little over seven years now, and we’re proud to say that ReelClever is now a two-time Emmy-award winning film and multimedia production house with an illustrious roster of clients we’ve represented and worked with over the past few years.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets ReelClever apart is our commitment to grounded, human-interest storytelling that comes from our unique perspective as Filipino immigrants in Metro Detroit. We’re not trying to create flashy content for the sake of it – we’re drawn to stories that matter, that reflect real human experiences and connections. Our work has a certain authenticity because we understand what it means to be outsiders looking for our place, and that translates into how we approach every project.

I’m most proud of how we’ve learned to turn constraints into creative fuel. Having limited resources forced us to become storytelling problem-solvers in ways that bigger productions never have to. We’ve developed this almost intuitive ability to see cinematic potential in everyday spaces and moments that others might overlook. That scrappy mindset has become our signature – we can walk into any situation and figure out how to make it visually compelling and emotionally resonant.

The real challenge wasn’t just on how to breaking in, it was learning to trust our own artistic instincts in an industry that often makes you second-guess yourself. Early on, we’d constantly wonder if there was indeed a place for us, or if our distinct lens would resonate with broader audiences. The breakthrough came when we stopped trying to fit into existing molds and started leaning into what made us different.

It’s been a very wild and a lot of times uphill journey thus far, but I’m most proud of how we’ve built something meaningful from nothing. All of the challenges we’ve encountered across the way forced us to be scrappy, to bet on ourselves when no one else would, which in turn was a gift that set us in the right direction. We had to create our own opportunities instead of waiting for someone to give us a chance, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This interview couldn’t have come at a more perfect time – my best friend since I was twelve is flying in next week from Las Vegas, and honestly, I’ve been plotting this trip for months because I want her to fall in love with Michigan the way I have. Starting with a Detroit day and seeing the iconic must-visit spots feels right. Firstly, the DIA because you can’t understand this city’s soul without seeing how art has always thrived here, then Belle Isle where we can just breathe and take in those incredible skyline views. A walking architectural tour of some of the city’s most breathtaking historical buildings, such as The Guardian (a favorite of mine!) is definitely a must.

Then we’re escaping up north to take in Traverse City and the surrounding beauty. There’s something deeply restorative about kayaking down Crystal River in nearby Glen Arbor, just floating and talking and reconnecting with nature and each other. The Sleeping Bear trail and those lake views are going to blow her mind – it’s the kind of scenery that makes you understand why people choose to build their lives in Michigan. We’re then driving off to Mackinac Island, where it feels like stepping into a different era entirely. Heading back down, we’ll be definitely visiting the Detroit Zoo because some things never get old, no matter how grown up you think you are. We’re ending with a proper celebration dinner because after a week of exploring everything this state quietly offers, we’ll want to toast to friendship and to Michigan’s unexpected magic over really good food and wine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
ReelClever and my own individual career as a filmmaker would not exist without my husband and lifelong creative partner Thaad, who has been my cinematographer for the majority of the projects I’ve done. Saying that it’s always an adventure working with your spouse on a daily basis is an understatement. Though we have similar paradigms and are similarly drawn to telling very grounded human-interest stories, our personalities couldn’t be more different, which has made our artistic and professional practice forever rich and interesting. I think being able to expand our team to invite more voices and collaborators to the table has proven to be incredibly rewarding, and has helped deepen our creative relationship even more.

I also often emphasize that film is perhaps the most collaborative art form that exists, and I simply would not be here without my incredibly talented peers, collaborators and mentors in the industry, especially those from the local Metro Detroit filmmaking community, and the local artist community in general. Despite working in an ecosystem that lacks large-scale institutional support, our community has always been incredibly strong, resilient, and authentically supportive of each other. We all continue to create compelling films and creative works that resonate well in Michigan and beyond because of this.

Website: https://www.edensabolboro.com

Instagram: edeninthemitten

Image Credits
Images courtesy of Luigi Macairan and Mesgana Berhane