A Career In Film Takes Different Routes - Creatives of Houston PART 1

Film is a team sport. It takes a range of professionals to collaborate in making a film -- set designers, wardrobe, directors, producers, art directors. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and have different passions, yet all can come together to create something beautiful and well done.

This week in the Bird Feed blog, we talk to successful professionals on different career paths to see how they got their start in the creative industry and what the next generation should learn from them.

UH Setting Strategic Plan in Action to Build a Premier Film Degree Program

Temple Northrop, Director of the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, University of Houston, sits down with Bird House Productions Lynn Birdwell to discuss his strategic plan on how UH is building upon their current program to establish the county's leading film production program at the university level. He also calls for working industry professionals to help him reach his goal of training the next generation of A-list talent.

A Partnership to Train Young Film Professionals In Houston

The City of Houston and Houston Independent School District (HISD) recognize the importance of the arts in education. The newly created Mayor's Office of Education works with schools to prepare students through workforce development and training, including in the film industry.

"There are some amazing programs at the elementary, middle school and high school level for young people to have an opportunity to experience what it's like to be in the film and the arts as a career. You have some places that have full-fledged studios that are operated by young people, and they write, produce, edit, and learn cutting edge technology that they're able to use and have access to," reports Juliet Stipeche, Director of the Mayor's Office of Education.

Training Houston's Next A-list Crew will Boost the Local Economy

"We want to make it a practical program, a program that serves as a pipeline to see our students actually working in the field." Fleurette Fernando, Director, M.A. in Arts Leadership Program, the University of Houston, gives a preliminary glimpse at the future possibility of a film degree to be offered at UH to keep students in here to support a healthy Houston creative economy.

Working to Make an Impact on Houston’s Film Industry

Bird House Productions Co-owner and Executive Producer Lynn Birdwell discusses why Houston is an ideal city to film a project with Texas Motion Picture Alliance Treasurer Susan Fowler. Susan also highlights how Houston is taking video production education into the high school level so students can graduate with an associate's degree.