Executive Producer
A little about me.
1984- Born
1992 - Child Modeling
1998 - toured Rhythm & Hues - An epic VFX company that folded soon after Life of Pi.
BUT
in 98’ they’re killing it and my step pops - Joel took me with during his post production job at R&H for DDB Bud Frogs - think; Puppetry, Prosthetics, Hotel Pools - I mean - I was hooked on my dad and the biz.
1998-2006 HS and BA Degree w/ heavy nerd stuff like computer camp, coding, videos, adventure camp, space camp, building PC’s and buying my own go-kart. Also pizza delivery and other jobs to pay my way.
2006 - Internship at Filmworkers
2006 - Internship at Filmworkers (inside the Old Playboy building above Chicago Recording + they owned a design studio (Vitamin) and a 16mm and 35mm Wet Lab (Astro Labs) - yea - #NerdFunhouse right?) Getting coffee in the company Honda Element and packing it tight with all the Costco crafty baby! The best part was absorbing the magic & listening/learning anything they’d tell me. Directors, Watching dailies with DPs and colorists, CDs, Music Greats, Film greats, it was epic and I learned and took notes and collected director treatments like they were baseball cards..
That 2006 internship actually turned into EP and it’s still going - I worked in a handful of production departments along the way. New company name and some merging but now we have true melting pot of THE BEST in CG/VFX/COLOR (these talented people at WHP/Carbon are 🔥)
Joe and Colleen shared the script before the movie was funded for a ballpark on post and I loved it! I was EP at Filmworkers at the time and sent along early bids and vfx methodology. After being funder in the 4M range and an amazing 20 day shoot - we had 500+ VFX shots and then camped out doing color with Joe, Colleen & Petra and the DCP / roadshow was a blast. Tika Sumpter and Jamie Lee Curtis were amazing to work with. Joe Chappelle was one of the best writer/directors I’ve worked with so far! Very involved in post and his DP pick was FIRE! Petra Korner is amazing! Rob Churhill was the head VFX artist and crushed it on this one! I learned so much from him too!
Extracurricular activities
Scuba diving, golf and stand-up comedy. I also went to Space Camp as a kid and enjoyed that a lot. I liked computer camp at ten years old, Visual Basic programming at 14 years old, html coding at 15 years old followed by web design and magic. Very slow weekend plans for me until my early twenties if you don’t see the pattern here about computers and my camp choices.
BTS photos are fun
"I love collaborating on vfx and design driven methodology on commercial and feature vfx work. Shoot to Post."
“My passion in production and post has taken me near and far and allowed me to meet so many talented people that make me ‘laugh my face off’ and visit amazing places. If this is a job I think I scored and I’m super grateful.”
I solve problems. I love a really good challenge - I have “solution lenses on” 24/7 (possible side effect of Lasik?).
My Dog
Walter is a mini doodle and a total BLAST. Very entertaining. He was cast for a dog spot recently and was a totally pro on set. I was pretty nervous and no the best co-star - acting isn’t my thing. I get the flop sweat from the movie Airplane.
Work Friends
During COVID my work family was amazing and we all safely met up and kept the culture and laughs alive!
Best Friend, Dad & Exec Producer & Mentor
Watched my dad in LA working on Dude you’re getting a Dell, Bud Frogs, Bud Lizards, Golden Grahams and countless others. I loved the hustle and mix of hotels, sets, edit and post houses - I grew up around it and love it… Optimus, Filmworkers, Whitehouse being the family favorites and still filled with so many great friends!
Fast forward
I’m 20+ years in production/post as a job and maybe 10 years prior as a chicago kid on LA set’s and “tourist” who was a child labor violation) and I still love this business.
“I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for all of the people who patiently explained things to me over my career (Optimus, Filmworkers & Hey Carbon). I totally credit those people as the only reason, on occasion, I know the right answer.”
Hugh Hefner visited the office!
I spent about an hour getting to meet Hef and his brother Keith Hefner. We toured the space and he shared stories of his time launching Playboy from 232 E Ohio St - This made for such a special and creative loft that was full of history and relics from Playboy and the music industry in general.
Executive Producer
Today - I’m well-versed in team building, management, project development, sales, client communication, project bidding, scheduling, resource development, pitching, treatments, recruiting, film tax credits, new business development in 10M+/annual sales (for multiple years) and I also learned some good “lunch spots.”
38th bday
Iceland with one of my best friend’s for a very special birthday and much needed pause from work. This was shot on 35mm by @pierogissss and the location was on a “locations list” for OTHER PLANETS / SPACE MOVIES ❤️❤️❤️🎥🎥🎥
Chicago Recording Studio 2022
This is me and some friends “farting around” at the old office - Chicago Recording Company. Amateur comedy and music ideas - most turn out horrible but it’s lots of laughs & CRC is very nice to let us pay them to play around in such a famous space ❤️,
Boards and Charity
I enjoy participating in AICE (merged w/ AICP) and charities close to my heart so far our; @offthestreetclub, Misericordia, and Michael J Fox Foundation (my dads memory).
Walter gets cast for Blue Buffalo Brands
Thrilled MoMo the super talented Pet director picked Walter and I. We also hope we work with you again soon under the CMP banner. What a special day!!
Lets work together
I’m super proud of the work I’ve done through my production & post company, Collective Media Productions. I hope we can collaborate soon. Thank you, Derek.