A Snapshot of Greenwood

David Holloway came to his calling later in life, even though he had always loved the visual storytelling of movies, the way great cinematography and filmmaking could capture emotion and convey feeling.

After studying at Presbyterian College and receiving a degree in history from the University of Plymouth in England, he traveled extensively, later returned to Greenwood, and embarked on a career in real estate.

He saw the potential for using videography in the real estate industry. But his love for the medium demanded more than that. After teaching himself the skills he needed to begin his journey as a videographer, he eventually left the real estate business to become a full-time film-maker.

Wedding videos led to commercial, civic and municipal projects and, finally, to the artistic storytelling that has garnered awards for his short films.

Showcasing Greenwood

Currently, he loves highlighting the outdoor beauty of Greenwood County through film and photography. He shoots a great deal at Lake Greenwood, where water, land and sky offer endless opportunities to explore nature.

Greenwood’s parks and greenways provide other favorite spots for shooting. In particular, Grace Street Park is 54 acres of green space with a walking trail along the water, a fountain and a variety of activities. “Grace Street Park is a hidden gem in Greenwood. The natural beauty, the walking trails, the pond—it’s a great place to take a break.”

The area’s outdoor beauty is just one aspect of what he enjoys about Greenwood. “One of the great things about Greenwood is its central location. You’re three hours from the beach, two and half hours from the mountains; you’ve got access to major metropolitan areas, but it still has a small town feel to it.”

David’s short films have earned two Director’s Choice Awards from the Lander University Film Festival. The annual competition brings together film students, filmmakers and aficionados each year for speakers, screenings and competition.

David has also done work showcasing the art outreach programs of the Arts Center of Greenwood. “It was a fantastic experience. Their program is amazing…they provide art in the summer to students who may not necessarily get that exposure.”

Keeping the Music Alive

His work also helped keep the area’s robust music community afloat during the early months of the COVID pandemic, when restaurants and music venues were shut down. David found a way to collaborate to support the work of Greenwood’s many talented performers. 

Along with Ashby Stokes, a fixture on the Greenwood music scene, and TJ Jenks, manager of local landmark restaurant Montague’s, they came up with the idea of a virtual performance with several musicians playing the same song, separately but together. They chose the iconic Don McLean song “American Pie” [aka ‘The Day the Music Died,’] as fitting for this time when no live music was happening.

McLean himself generously waived any royalties, requesting only a video of the finished product.

A massive undertaking with some three dozen musicians, the video appeared on Facebook at midnight on Saturday, April 25, 2020. It quickly went viral, raising several thousand dollars for area musicians within the first three days. The video also streamed on McLean’s website and on YouTube. 

“The local support for artists in Greenwood is incredible,” David says. Explore a few of the places where you can find art and inspiration in Greenwood.