In this episode of Perspectives, we sit down with Jacob Motz, Director of Original Projects at Portal A, whose path into storytelling spans independent filmmaking, studio sets, early YouTube experimentation, and the evolution of brand storytelling as a discipline.

Jacob’s journey began in a small town in Michigan, where making scrappy videos with friends sparked an early interest in storytelling. From there, he took a nontraditional path — leaving engineering for film, moving to Los Angeles with no plan, and learning the craft from the ground up while working on studio productions.

What he discovered along the way reshaped his understanding of storytelling entirely.

In this conversation, Jacob reflects on the shift from seeing storytelling as an individual pursuit to recognizing it as a deeply collaborative craft. From working alongside world-class crews on major films to building new formats in the early days of YouTube and branded content, he shares how the best work emerges not from singular vision, but from creative chemistry.

He also explores how the rise of digital platforms and creator culture has expanded what storytelling can look like — and why the future of the discipline will be shaped by experimentation, collaboration, and a willingness to let go of traditional definitions.

This conversation explores:

• Why ego can be a barrier to becoming a better storyteller

• What working on large-scale productions reveals about craft and collaboration

• How early YouTube and branded content reshaped the storytelling landscape

• Why experimentation and “weird ideas” often lead to the most innovative work

• What brands and creators need to understand to collaborate effectively