Our Team
At the Nashville Film Institute, we are surrounded by wonderful, supportive team of faculty and staff. Together, we seek to fulfill our mission:
"To train students for careers in the film industry."
Key Faculty
Micah Ellars, Lead Instructor
Micah Ellars has many years of experience in nearly every department and position there is in the film and commercial industry. He has produced commercials and corporate documentaries as well as the occasional music video. He also serves as an acting coach and has clients starring in Hollywood features. He is in pre-production on various feature projects.
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.
Kelley Baker
Kelley Baker has extensive experience in the film industry, having credits on films such as Finding Forrester, Good Will Hunting, Psycho, and Far From Heaven. At NFI, Kelley teaches all about submitting films to film festivals and selling and distributing independent films. His books include The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide Part 1 and Part 2.
Kelley attended the University of Southern California. He received a B.A. and an M.F.A. in Film Production, and did post graduate work at the American Film Institute.
Matt Coale
Matt Coale is an Emmy Award winning director of photography based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Having been shooting films since he was twelve, Matt has over 1,400 commercials, 650 corporate films, 750 television projects, and 160 music videos to his credit. He has international experience in 35mm, 16mm, and HD production.
Steve Grider
Steve Grider is a location sound mixer based out of Nashville, Tennessee. He has been rolling sound since 1991; his client list includes ABC, BBC, CBS, FOX, HGTV, MTV, NBC, TLC and the NFL. Steve has taught classes on location sound at Vanderbilt University, and his alma mater Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
He is a graduate of MTSU’s Mass Communications program.
Brandon Lee
Brandon started his film career early, working with Frank Capra Jr. at Screen Gems. He later worked in broadcast at Malibu Mobile Productions, which became Paradestormer Productions, focusing on feature films, music videos, corporate training videos, reality shows, and commercials.
Brandon can run a film set from preproduction to post production he has worked in all departments in film, along with held almost every job title in the film industry. Brandon is now one of the main camera operators and editors for Paradestormer Productions. Working on feature films, festivals, and events, including the CMA Fan Festival and The Country Music Cruise. He's also worked with a number of recording artists, including Big & Rich, Florida Georgia Line, and Lee Greenwood.
Bryant Lee
Bryant has been part of the film production work force for many years. His diverse range of experience includes working with audio, running cameras for the WEC fighting championships (now part of the UFC), being director of photography, and ultimately partner at Paradestormer Productions. He holds many roles from preproduction to post production. Including producing feature films including, “Tinker” with cast Clayne Crawford and Christian Kane and “Baby Blues” with Melanie Scarfono and Jenny Cooper. Bryant was second unit editor and producer for the feature film “Texas Road.”
He works with major festivals including the CMA Fan Festival. Bryant also works for AT&T U-verse's On Demand segments, Starvista/Timelife, and various events. Additionally, he's worked with major music stars like Jana Kramer, Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean, The Kentucky Head Hunters, and Meaux from A Thousand Horses.
Bobby Rindhage
Bobby Rindhage has worked as a graphic designer, director, and writer. He is a member of the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA). Bobby, along with a partner, wrote, directed, edited, and starred in The Guys Comedy webseries; a project based in Chicago featuring students and alumni from the Second City comedy school. Bobby served as the Digital Media Director for Stuker Training and a Graphic Designer and Creative Consultant for Dow Corning.
Bobby holds a Masters Degree in Communication and Digital Media and a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design/Communication, both from Saginaw Valley State University
Andrew Rozario
Since borrowing his grandmother's video camera when he was ten, Andrew Rozario has been making films to entertain audiences. The summer after graduating from high school he worked on his first feature film, O Brother, Where Are Thou? In 2010 he was Gwyneth Paltrow's cast assistant on Country Strong, and in 2012 he was Ashley Judd's cast assistant on The Identical. He has worked on music videos, commercials, documentaries, short films and feature films. Creating magic and wonder is his sole focus in practicing the craft of filmmaking.