It is with a heavy heart for me to write this blog about the passing of a former Moth to Flame intern, Daniel Thompson. I remember when Daniel first jumped on board with Moth to Flame. My first impression of him was wow, this guy is so excited to learn about filmmaking.   My first time meeting him was at a friend’s gathering during SXSW , when he mentioned that he wanted to get experience on set. He had just moved to Austin and was figuring out what he wanted to do. I could immediately see his hunger to learn…

Director of Photography, Alex Walker talks about filming A Bird’s Nest They say film crews are the ultimate problem solvers. Shortly after Katrina hit NOLA back in 04 I was working on a production when the Key Grip remarked that filmmakers should have been sent instead of FEMA. After the experiences we had shooting A Bird’s Nest, I tend to agree. The script paints a picture of a troubled child who turns to the macabre for his outlet in life. The challenge was to create a sense of understanding between the audience and the anti-hero of the story without betraying…

Filming a Texas Wedding with Cherry and John Menard… It’s been a pleasure getting to know Cherry. She’s one of the first people I met when I moved to Austin to attend business school and start Moth to Flame. We met on the set of a short production called “American Roulette” directed by Alex Murphy, which happens to be the first project I produced in Austin. Ever since, we have been working together on various projects, from commercials to short films, and finally my debut feature, Funemployment. I was also one of the lucky ones to be able to hang…

To be a filmmaker and an entrepreneur means you require a lot of support. Nobody can stay sane and do it alone. One of my dearest friends and former wifey/roommate, Suma Nagmote, is one of these special people to me. Without her, I would be depressed and nowhere close to where I am right now as a filmmaker or as a person. Suma is one of those people whose smile lights up the room. Among all my friends, she is the mom out of the bunch. I am always amazed by all the details she remembers about everyone’s lives because…

Director of A Bird’s Nest talks about life On Set… I often tell people that filmmakers are crazy. Only filmmakers will spend hours in the rain and mud, brave poison ivy and spiders, and completely rearrange an entire house in order to get one perfect shot. I am one of those people. For me, the final product is just the icing on the cake. The best part about filmmaking is the process. The time leading up to the final finished product of “A Bird’s Nest” yielded some of my most vivid memories. I can still remember the moment my co-producer,…

Moth to Flame Wedding Photography for our very own – Kellie Penna…. I cannot stress how important it is to keep great people on your team. Honestly, the key to any success I have is keeping people who are smarter and better than me, close by. One of these folks is definitely my associate producer, Kellie Penna. Kellie came to Moth to Flame as an intern, having minimal filming experience and a proactive, hardworking spirit that I admire. She has become an indispensable friend and team member. She keeps me sane and has helped me to organize and build Moth…