Carlos “Los” Avitiuh didn’t begin his career in polished studios or sprawling sets. His roots lie in the skate parks of Shawnee, Oklahoma, where storytelling unfolded through the lens of a camcorder. Today, as co-founder of Pillo Productions™, alongside Jack Hummel, Los channels that raw, unfiltered energy into shaping Oklahoma’s creative future.
Me and my friends would skate, and I was the camera guy.
From Skateparks to Storyboards
“My journey started eight years ago, filming skateboarding with friends,” Los says, recalling those early days piecing together DIY videos for YouTube. Those formative projects weren’t just technical practice—they built the foundation for his gritty aesthetic, a style that now defines his work.
By 2019, Los had shifted from skate videos to music videos, blending his streetwise perspective with evolving narrative techniques. When COVID shuttered his retail job, he embraced video production full-time.
“I remember my first paid project—a $50 music video for my friend Indi in Shawnee,” he says. “It wasn’t much, but it was the beginning.” That beginning snowballed into a career spanning music videos, concert visuals, fashion shoots, and more—all marked by an unmistakable rawness.
“I still lean into that skateboarding influence,” Los explains. “Camcorders, a gritty texture, keeping things real.”
By 2019, Los’s passion for video had evolved into something more ambitious. He began shooting music videos, combining his gritty, skate-inspired visuals with storytelling techniques he was developing on his own. “Probably around 2019 or 2020, I started shooting music videos. I was working retail at the time, doing videos as a side job, but when the job closed down during COVID, I decided to send it full-time,” he explains.
That leap into full-time creative work wasn’t without risk, but Los’s commitment paid off. Reflecting on his first paid project, a $50 music video for a friend, he recognizes how far he’s come. “The first music video I shot was for my homegirl Indi in Shawnee. I charged maybe 50 bucks back then. It was small, but it was a start.” That start quickly turned into a full-fledged business—Pillo Productions—as Los began to expand his reach across Oklahoma’s creative scene.
Today, his portfolio spans music videos, fashion shoots, concert visuals, and more, all marked by a distinctive style that remains rooted in his skateboarding origins. “That skateboarding style really shows in a lot of my work. I use camcorders and keep that gritty, raw feel,” he says.
A Collaborative Vision with Pillo Productions™
Carlos “Los” Avitiuh isn’t just an individual creative force—he’s one-half of the founding team behind Pillo Productions, a dynamic collective reshaping Oklahoma’s creative scene. Co-founded with Jack Hummel, Pillo Productions brings together a diverse and talented crew that reflects Los’s belief in collaboration and community.
Jack Hummel, Pillo’s co-founder, serves as the team’s director, cinematographer, and owner, while Los takes on the roles of director, editor, and owner. Their partnership began serendipitously in 2021 during the filming of Los’s first major music video, “Shining” by Fire in Little Africa. “Funny enough, Jack was the only person there with a camcorder,” Los recalls. “Naturally, I went to talk to him about it. After that, we started collaborating on videos and realized that our creative styles mesh well. That’s really where the story began.”
For about a year and a half, Jack and Los worked as a duo, but their vision grew to encompass more. They welcomed Colton Smith, who started as an eager learner and is now their lead drone operator. Around the same time, Marah Ranger joined the team, bringing her talents as a photographer and assistant camera operator, keeping shoots on task and capturing moments in film. The team also features Aspen Williamson, who doubles as Pillo’s graphic designer. Los originally met Aspen while filming commercials for his brand, Bad Apples Market, and was struck by his creative ingenuity: “He’s just a creative powerhouse, so it was a no-brainer to have him on Pillo.”
Being from Shawnee, I didn’t know much about OKC’s creative scene. When I started coming up here, I found a music community that had always been there, just waiting to grow.”
Together, the team at Pillo Productions crafts projects that blend storytelling, experimentation, and bold aesthetics.
The Creative Process: Where Sound Meets Story
For Los, the creative process is deeply personal and starts with immersion in the project’s core elements, whether it’s a song, a concept, or a mood. “My process is specific to each shoot. I listen to the music or study the concept, let the visuals form in my head, and then build everything—lighting, colors, style—from there,” he explains.
Sound, in particular, plays a crucial role in shaping his visuals. “For every project, sound is a huge influence. If a song feels dramatic, I think of darker colors—brown, black, gray—and build a story around that,” Los says. This approach allows him to craft videos that don’t just accompany the music but amplify its emotional resonance.
Los’s attention to detail doesn’t stop there. Pre-production is another cornerstone of his process. “Pre-production is a huge thing for me. I like to take the story and add pictures, like mood boards and storyboards and everything to a shoot before I do it,” he shares.
This meticulous preparation helps him navigate the inevitable challenges that come with any project. “Knowing your equipment is important because you don’t want to go in and not know how to adjust when something changes,” he advises.
Building a Creative Legacy in Oklahoma
As a Shawnee native, Los admits he didn’t always see the potential of Oklahoma’s creative community. That changed when he began exploring Oklahoma City. “Being from Shawnee, I didn’t know much about OKC’s creative scene. When I started coming up here, I found a music community that had always been there, just waiting to grow,” he says.
Midwest HQ lets people come into a creative space and try new things, even if it’s their first time. It’s creating opportunities for people to find their niche.
Now firmly entrenched in OKC’s creative network, Los is one of its biggest advocates. “OKC’s creative scene is tight-knit. Everyone kind of knows each other, but you’re also constantly discovering new people coming in and out,” he observes. He’s excited by the city’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and artistry. “There’s such a thriving creative scene in Oklahoma that people don’t always know about. It’s growing with new artists, sounds, and experiments.”
This growth, he believes, is fueled by the collaborative spirit of the city’s artists and
organizations like Midwest HQ, a collective focused on providing opportunities for local creatives. “Midwest HQ lets people come into a creative space and try new things, even if it’s their first time. It’s creating opportunities for people to find their niche,” Los explains.
Memorable Collaborations and Iconic Moments
One of Los’s most memorable collaborations with Midwest HQ involved tattoo artist Keith Drapeau, a prominent figure in Oklahoma’s tattoo scene. “When Midwest told me about the lip tattoo idea for Keith, it was like a bucket list shot for me. I’d wanted to capture that vibe—moody and dark—perfectly,” Los says.
This collaboration highlights one of Los’s greatest strengths: his ability to tailor his approach to the story he wants to tell. Whether he’s working on a music video, a fashion shoot, or a concert, his goal remains the same: to create something that resonates deeply with the audience. “Music videos are my main focus, but I also work in fashion and concerts. Whatever the project, I tailor the aesthetic to fit the story we’re telling,” he explains.
Staying Inspired and Thinking Big
In an industry where creative burnout is a constant threat, Los has developed strategies to stay inspired. One of his key practices is writing down every idea that comes to him, no matter how small or unconventional. “I’ve learned to write down every idea—ideas are flying around all the time, and you can forget them quick. I have over 1,700 notes on
my phone,” he says.
When it comes to staying inspired, I think big ideas first, then cut them down to realistic expectations.
This habit has proven invaluable, allowing him to revisit and refine ideas as his skills evolve. “Sometimes an idea I had years ago will come back, and I can finally make it happen now that I’ve leveled up,” he shares.
When it comes to starting a new project, Los believes in thinking big before scaling back to practical execution. “When it comes to staying inspired, I think big ideas first, then cut them down to realistic expectations,” he says.
Advice for Aspiring Creatives
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Los has simple but powerful advice: stay consistent and trust your ideas. “Even if they sound weird or out there, just make them happen,” he advises.
He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community. “I want people from Oklahoma to feel like they can go anywhere and do those shoots anywhere,” he says.
The Future of Pillo Productions™
Looking ahead, Los is determined to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for Oklahoma creatives. With Pillo Productions, he’s not just building a business—he’s contributing to a cultural movement that showcases the talent and potential of his home state.
From skate parks to music video sets, Carlos “Los” Avitiuh proves that big ideas can thrive in small places—and take flight anywhere.
