Micah Ellars
In the classroom he has a unique approach. While Micah believes that a practical, hands-on education is the best way to pursue the technical skills of filmmaking, he thinks personal development is the most important ingredient for a successful life. He challenges the students to articulate their goals in writing and this approach has helped to launch several careers, even before some students have graduated.
Micah Ellars is a graduate of West Virginia State University with a degree in mass communications with an emphasis on film.
Evan Schmitt
Monty Miranda
Miranda has led and taught film and acting workshops and lecture spots at the University of Colorado, Syracuse University, Colorado Institute of Art, The Colorado Film School, Acting for Film and TV Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Theater of the Arts in Hollywood, California. Miranda has been a regular guest judge at a variety of Actors Showcases in and around Los Angeles, California.
Given his diverse body of work Miranda has found himself directing talented studied actors such as, John Heard, Daryl Hannah, Keith Szarabajka, Noah Wyle, Sharon Gless, and Danny Trejo as well as new green actors – or professional athletes, musicians and politicians such as Palma Violets, John Mayer, Steve Jordan, New Order, Matthew Sweet, John Hickenlooper, Devotchka, Spike Lee, Tony Hawk and Anthony Davis. The constant for Miranda is pulling great performances out of both the studied and the raw to help tell the best story. with motion pictures.
Doug DeAngelis
Doug DeAngelis began his professional career at age eighteen, as a multi-platinum engineer, programmer, and mixer. His studio credits featured thirty-one Billboard Dance Charts #1 singles with artists including Nine Inch Nails, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, No Doubt, and Babyface.
After twelve years in the record industry, he relocated to Los Angeles and shifted his focus to film and television music. He is a BMI Award winning composer and music supervisor, whose credits include top rated primetime network dramas, comedies, feature films, reality TV, awards shows, sports themes, and talk shows.
Vincent Riotta
He has worked as an actor with many esteemed movie directors ranging from Ron Howard, Paul Haggis, Christopher Nolan and Peter Greenaway , Zack Sneider, Jose Padilha, Bille August and most recently filmed The Pope with Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce directed by Fernando Mereilles and he has just returned from Belgrade where he played the role of the celebrated Italian Scientist , Luigi Crocco in the Bollywood Film ‘Rocketry, The Nambi Effect’ about the Indian Scientific genius, Nambi Narayanan, directed by and starring Madhavan ( Maddy ), and the Indian superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. Among some of the wonderful actors he has worked with are;, Tom Hanks, Hilary Swank, Chris Hemsworth, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Day Lewis and Penelope Cruz, Diane Lane, Mila Kunis, Nicholas Cage, Antonio Banderas, Sofia Loren, Susan Sarandon, James Mason.
His TV career stretches from work on the BBC and ITV in the UK, RAI and MEDIASET in ITALY to Netflix and HBO in the USA. Most recently the HALLMARK remake of the classic Audrey Hepburn movie, Roman Holiday, renamed Rome in Love. As an acting teacher, he founded the Hollywood Blvd Acting School in Hollywood, California where he was artistic director for four years.
A full biography is available on IMDB.COM.
Amanda Abicalaffe
Amanda Abicalaffe is an award-winning Brazilian director, producer, and casting director living in Nashville, TN. Since graduating from university with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Advertising, Amanda has lived in New York City and Paris where she attended top film schools and directed multiple short films, documentaries, and music videos.
Amanda moved to Los Angeles in 2015 after being accepted into the high ranked MFA Film & TV Production program at Loyola Marymount University.
Her thesis film “Feet of Fire” has won 12 awards and has been recognized in more than 20 film festivals around the world.
Amanda’s background in theater ignited her casting director career. She has casted multiple independent projects, as well as music videos produced by Bad Robot Productions, RadicalMedia, and WarnerMedia.
Recently, Amanda relocated to Nashville and is focused on writing and producing independent short films and features as well as working in Development & Production at Riverside Entertainment.
Adam G. Simon
Adam also penned the original screenplay for MAN DOWN (2015) an action thriller directed by Dito Montiel which stars Shia LaBeouf, Gary Oldman, Jai Courtney, Kate Mara & Clifton Collins Jr. In 2017 Adam and Filmmaker Joe Carnahan co-wrote a re-imagining of the popular cult film THE RAID by Gareth Evans. Prior to his current work, Adam started his professional career acting while working as a bodyguard and protection specialist. In 2012 Adam went to work as a Sales Producer for Cameron/Pace Group LLC in Burbank California (founded by director James Cameron and cinematographer Vince Pace). Shortly thereafter, he wrote and produced Synapse, a film where he also played the lead.Adam is an advocate for the homeless having being homeless himself while writing MAN DOWN and speaks as an advocate for homeless veterans and survivors of abuse.Adam G. Simon on IMDB
Aravind Kamalanathan
Education:
- Cinematography Graduate from MGR Film & TV from Institute of Tamilnadu, India. (1986)
- Assistant to DOP Waltar Lassaly BSC (1987)
Notable Works:
- 30+ years Experience in the Indian Film Industry
- As DOP for Nine Feature Films
- As DOP for 200+ TVC and documentary films incl India’s 1st TVC on the Star TV network (1989)
- Pioneer for Drone filming in India (1999)
- Consultant to Center for UAV Research (Anna University) Chennai, Rotary Division
Favorite quote:
“Nothing lasts Forever… not even your problems”. – Charlie Chaplin
Piece of advice for students:
- In this ever changing world of cinema….
- Keep yourself updated
- Humility is a Great Virtue, Be a Team Player
- Knowledge is Power….
- Experience is the Greatest Teacher….
- Move with Confidence the world is waiting for YOU !
Bobby Rindhage
Education:
- B.A. in Graphic Design with a minor in Digital Communication (graduated Summa Cum Laude)
- M.A. in Digital Media and Communication with a focus in Film (graduated Summa Cum Laude)
- The Second City Chicago Comedy school – Improv and Comedy Writing
- iO Theater Chicago Comedy school – Comedy Writing
Notable Works:
Bobby has worked on feature films, short films, commercials, music videos, corporate, live events and promotional videos. He has been involved in projects and worked with artists from CMT, Aflac, ABC, HGTV, Food Network, Zanie’s Comedy Club, Sony Records, Victory Records, iO Theater, CBS and NBC.Favorite quote:
Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration. – Thomas EdisonStudent advice:
First, you must learn and master all the rules, then you should creatively break them.Ronald Travis Bare
Travis is an educator who enjoys helping students attain their goals. He believes that having a supportive environment with a sense of community is an important part of creative process.
Travis has taught many subjects over the years including animation, special effects, 3D modeling, lighting, texturing, character rigging, perspective drawing, 3D film, game asset creation, game development, project management, coding and web development.
Education:
- B.S. in Industrial Technology
- M.Ed in Instructional Effectiveness and Multimedia and Animation
- Graduate work at Academy Art University, San Francisco, CA.
Favorite quote:
“If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it.” – Elon MuskWE ARE NASHVILLE'S FILM SCHOOL
OUR MISSION: "TO TRAIN STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN THE FILM INDUSTRY"
