Reed attended film school in his backyard and garage, and at age 18, began making a series of short films starring his younger brother Sam. This was the beginning of a project two decades in the making: Sam Now, a coming-of-age film that follows his brother from age 11 to 33. The film was selected and funded by ITVS Open Call. Reed also directed the award-winning 30-minute documentary Forest on Fire, and the documentary series for Topic House on Fire.