Cole Morell’s story with video started at Bayside Church, where he discovered how cameras could tell real stories that move people. What began as volunteering quickly turned into something deeper — learning how to frame a shot, balance lighting, and capture emotion in moments that mattered. Cole spent countless weekends behind a lens, experimenting, failing, improving, and figuring out how to make visuals feel alive. It wasn’t about having the best gear; it was about learning how to communicate through light and movement. Those early years at Bayside built his foundation not just in filmmaking but in purpose, using creativity as a way to connect people.

From there, Cole dove into every part of production he could — camera operation, editing, color grading, live directing, you name it. He learned the technical side and the storytelling side equally, often staying late to experiment with shots or rework edits just to make them hit harder. That dedication is what shaped his creative voice: natural, honest, and cinematic.

After Bayside, Cole took everything he learned and brought it to Illuminate Production Services, a full-scale event and production company that builds stages, lighting rigs, and LED walls for concerts and corporate events. Working in that environment gave Cole a new level of discipline and technical precision. It wasn’t just cameras anymore — it was large-scale productions, audio systems, and coordination with professional crews. Illuminate taught him how to think under pressure, work within complex setups, and maintain professionalism no matter how intense the project was.

That experience gave Cole an edge. He wasn’t just a filmmaker — he understood live production, event logistics, and how every detail adds up to a finished product that feels effortless to the audience. After Illuminate, Cole began doing freelance video production, working with local artists, brands, and small businesses. Every project became a new challenge — from wedding films to brand commercials to spec ads. He started to carve out his own visual style: crisp, cinematic, and emotionally grounded. He learned how to run shoots solo or lead small teams, how to capture authenticity on camera, and how to edit with rhythm and purpose.

Over time, Cole’s curiosity started expanding beyond filmmaking. He began exploring the business side of creativity — how brands communicate, how digital systems work, and how design influences perception. That’s when Layout Media was born. What started as a simple idea between Cole and his friend Jack Derepentigny evolved into a full creative agency focused on web design, app development, branding, and professional video production.

Today, Cole leads Layout Media with Jack Derepentigny, as both a filmmaker and entrepreneur, bridging the gap between creativity and technology. His work with Layout Media allows him to help businesses tell stories that actually connect with people — whether that’s through film, a clean website, or an app designed with purpose. On the video side, Cole continues to direct and shoot passion projects, spec ads, and brand visuals that push his craft further. On the business side, he focuses on building systems that make creativity scalable.

Through it all, Cole stayed grounded in what started it all,  the same passion that began behind a camera at Bayside Church. His story is still being written, one frame, one project, and one idea at a time.