We recently connected with Chip Miller and have shared our conversation below.
Chip, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Yes, since I was 15 years old, starting as an illustrator, and after graduating art school in NYC, went professional as a much-in-demand magazine, album covers, book jackets, illustrator and eventually as a successful graphic designer as well. I always loved movies and stories, and lived in a movie theater when I lived in NJ. I began writing original comic book stories and sold several to DC. Comics. Though my artistic talents came naturally, learning more became my drive, thus 4 years in a trade high school studying commercial art, followed by 4 years in art school to achieve a BFA. When I was drafted during the Vietnam War, I served in the USAF as a Graphic and Visual Specialist and learned about equipment and cameras. When I was discharged I moved to London where I lived for 5 years working on the BBC TV series, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” Back in the states, I rose through the ranks on Madison Avenue as an Art Director and Creative Director for two major ad agencies. As a copywriter, I created national campaigns and composed and produced dozens of well-known TV and radio jingles. I designed the Marriott Hotel logo still in use today. I started directing TV commercials, first local ones, then regional, and eventually national spots. On the side, I was part of a folk duo who toured with Paul Simon and Jackson Browne, and got a record offer from Capitol Records with Paul Simon producing us. When my songwriting partner joined Scientology, it put a strain on the friendship, the collaboration, and with Simon and the studio musicians. When the album was left unfinished, I moved to Hollywood after selling my first script to director Brian DePalma. I started over in the film and TV industry, first designing and illustrating movie posters, then producing music videos for MTV, followed by a few independent movies (one of them is a current. cult film in the UK), and finally turned completely to directing, writing, and back to my music. Since the late 80’s, I have sold a dozen screenplays, several made into movies or TV movies; have directed 3 indie movies, over 150 music videos for MTV, BET, CMT, and MTV Europe, 40 plus live concert specials for HBO, BBC, Showtime, PBS, and CMT, and have worked with major recording artists like LL Cool J, Marc Anthony, The Rolling Stones, Linkin Park, The Beach Boys, and many, many more. I restarted my band, Old Sand Mill, and have released three albums, including a hit CD in 2018. In 2011, I co-founded a now successful film and video production company and a post-production facility with studios in Burbank and Palm Springs, CA. As for speeding up the process with what I know now or gained along the way, of course it could have saved time and training. But there is also a proud beauty to learning, practicing, rehearsing, and absorbing those essential moments that are presented to us along the way on the journey. There are no short cuts.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
First, about myself:
I am an award-winning director, producer, editor, WGA screenwriter, music producer, professional illustrator, graphic designer, published author, and a recording artist with popular alternative rock band, Old Sand Mill. Chip brings all his skills and talents to Desert C.A.M. Studios, heading up a savvy professional team and contributing his impressive slate of unique, high profile, original stories, screenplays, and source material – all developed as projects for Theatrical, Content, Cable and Network TV, and the worldwide digital marketplace. I have directed, produced, and edited fifty-plus live concert television specials for major artists on HBO, Showtime, PBS, BET, MTV, CMT, FNX Channel, BBC, and MTV Europe, like: “Diahann Carroll: Live from Palm Springs” with The Pat Rizzo Orchestra ~ “Brian Wilson’s Live Pet Sounds” live tour launch with Al Jardine at UCLA’s Royce Hall ~ All-star international concert, “Encanto De Caribe” on location in Puerto Rico, starring international superstar Marc Anthony, ex-Yankee slugger turned Grammy winning guitarist Bernie Williams, pianist Arthur Hanlon, worldwide singing diva and Oscar winner Laura Pausini, pop singer Ana Isabelle (seen in Spielberg’s “Westside Story”), jazz singer Natalia Jimenez, and the legendary Cheo Feliciano ~ “Rhythm of the Dance” featuring The National Dance Company of Ireland and The Young Irish Tenors on location in Ireland ~ “The Kingston Trio Celebration,” all-star concert starring The Kingston Trio, Bob Shane (his historic last appearance), Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles), Barry McGuire (New Christy Minstrels), Henry Diltz (Modern Folk Quartet), Shari Belafonte, The Limeliters, Trini Lopez, Al Jardine (The Beach Boys), and Sana Christian ~ “Donovan & Friends: Live At The Kodak Theater in Hollywood” featuring actress Laura Dern, filmmaker David Lynch, Irish pop star Astrella Celeste, and Mike Love (The Beach Boys) ~ “Trini Lopez: Unplugged At Cal State” – his final taped concert ~ “Songcatchers: The Gathering” an indigenous all-star concert starring Grammy winning artists Mary Youngblood, Thirza Defoe, and Jana Mashonee, shot in Santa Fe, NM ~ “The Commodores: Live in Atlantic City” featuring Natalie Cole ~ “The World Classic Rockers” featuring Denny Laine (The Moody Blues, Paul McCartney’s Wings), Randy Meisner (The Eagles), Spencer Davis (Spencer Davis Group), Bruce Gary (The Knack), and Michael Monarch (Big Brother & Holding Company, Steppenwolf), shot at the Ventura Theater ~ “Earl Scruggs: The Farewell Concert” at the legend’s induction to the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Nashville, starring Vince Gill, Randy Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, Billy Bob Thornton, and Marty Stewart ~ “Paul Simon’s Graceland Concert” shot in Africa ~ “The Rolling Stones: The Steel Wheels Tour,” in Madison Square Garden ~ “Rhythm of the Dance: St. Patrick’s Day Concert” starring The National Dance Company of Ireland and The Young Irish Tenors shot in Folsom, CA ~ “The Kingston Trio: Holiday Cheers,” shot on in Tulsa, Oklahoma ~ the 15-part “Pyoor Native,” docu-content series for Italian Television, with European rock star, Umberto Marzotto.
Chip’s 150-plus music videos rotated on MTV, MTV2, VH-1, BET, CMT, and MTV Europe. He produced many classic clips, his first being MTV’s longest running hit, “Nightshift” by The Commodores. Other artists he shot music videos with include: Linkin Park, The Cars, LL Cool J, The Rolling Stones, The Pointer Sisters, Eddie Murphy, Beastie Boys, Lizzy Borden, Squeeze, Jeffrey Osborne, The Black Crowes, Danzig, Peter Murphy, Paul Simon, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Dom Flemons, MC Lyte, The Flirts, OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark), Night Ranger, Lords of the New Church, Jerry Douglas, Sir Jinx, Gerald Levert, Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Holly Robinson, Faith Evans, Youth Edition, Shaquille O’Neal, Charlie Wilson, Little River Band, Tonya, David Josias, Jonny Z, The Gap Band, Sircle of Silence, Tyrone Wells, Jana Mashonee, Mary Youngblood, Mitsou, Lizzy Borden, and more.
I directed “Karma Kula: Path of the Tiger,” a theatrical feature with Liu Yun Fat for Sunset Studios/Windward Films, shot in Oahu, Hawaii. He wrote the original screenplay – a prequel to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Film was released in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and in the Pacific Islands. Indie theatrical films Miller directed and/or edited are: “Four Day Shoot,” for Generic Films; “Swerve,” a Gramercy Pictures’ movie directed by Sebastian Gutiérrez – Chip edited and music supervised; “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a pioneer all-Black cast in a theatrical feature from Atlantic Releasing Corp with Brock Peters, CCH Pounder, and Chris Calloway; and “Mortuary Academy,” a theatrical release from Sony Entertainment/Landmark Films with Paul Bartel, Mary Woronov, Christopher Atkins, Perry Lang, Cesar Romero, Wolfman Jack, Tracy Walters, and Stoney Jackson. Chip developed and produced the film, directed 2nd unit, supervised post-production, music supervision, and composed and recorded the opening title song. Premiering at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, the movie is presently a cult film in the UK and throughout Europe. Miller collaborated with Liam Neeson on an original western story and script, “The Californians,” which was optioned by Clint Eastwood’s Malpaso Films as the actor’s potential final western, but he chose instead, “Unforgiven.” Penny Marshall’s Parkway Films and Sony Pictures picked up the script and it went into development with Liam, Chip, and Parkway’s development exec, writer/TV actor Ted Bessel (“That Girl”). When Bessel died suddenly, the project was put on hold. Soon, Parkway left Sony for Universal Pics, where script development was held up, eventually further delayed when Liam left to do “Schindler’s List.” Following Penny’s untimely death, the script reverted back to Neeson and Miller, where it is now in development at Desert C.A.M. Studios.
For the Disney Channel, Miller created, directed, edited, scored, and produced, “The Sun Show,” a weekly TV children’s series, composed the show’s theme song, and music supervised the soundtrack. The series won Accolade Awards and Aegis Awards for Best Educational Video Program, Best Original Writing, Best Directing, and Best Musical Soundtrack. He went on to create, write, direct, edit, and produce “PNTV (Players Network Television)” in Las Vegas, which included forty gaming segments, a variety show, and a pilot episode, starring Paula Abdul, Will Smith, George Hamilton, Jamie Foxx, Sandra Bullock, Damon Wayans, and Queen Latifah.
Hailing from New Jersey, with a BA in Fine Art from Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts, Miller moved to the UK and became an assistant artist on the BBC Television series, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” He moved to a big Madison Ave advertising agency in NYC as a creative art director, where he wrote, directed, and produced national and regional television and radio commercials, even becoming a successful jingle writer and singer. His original illustrations graced the covers of national magazines, best-selling novels, and numerous record album jackets. In addition, he was one half of a successful folk duo, opening for Paul Simon, Seals & Crofts, and Jackson Browne. He formed the rock band, Pomeroy, and toured with Lou Reed, King Crimson, and Jefferson Starship. After selling his first screenplay to director Brian DePalma, Chip moved to Hollywood and worked as an artist and movie poster illustrator, creating art for such films as: “Tron,” “The Horror Star,” “St. Helen’s: Killer Volcano,” “Tess,” “Blow Out,” “Taps,” “Hanky Panky,” and “Ghandi.” He was hired as a film and TV development director by Noel Marshall, who executive produced “The Exorcist,” for his major West Hollywood film and commercial production company, The Film Consortium, co-owned by actresses Tippi Hedren, and her daughter, Melanie Griffith. Under their banner, Chip developed several motion picture properties, including, “Fire in the Sky,” a sci-fi drama with James Garner, DB Sweeney, Robert Patrick, Peter Berg, and Henry Thomas; and “Square Dance,” with Jane Alexander, Jason Robards, Rob Lowe, and Wynona Ryder, which airs on TV as, “Home is Where the Heart Is.”
In the early 90’s, Chip formed the indie production company, Winmill Entertainment, and was located on The Culver Studios lot (formerly The Selznick Studios) for six years. During this time, he bought the film rights to The Mamas and The Papas story cutting deals with both actress/singer Michelle Phillips and her former husband, songwriter and singer John Phillips, by optioning each of their autobiographies. Miller developed and scripted, “California Dreamin’” then successfully set the project up as a biopic miniseries at Spring Creek Television and ABC TV. After the deaths of Papa John Phillips and Papa Denny Dougherty, Chip and Michelle continued development until ABC placed the project on hold. In 2018, the script reverted back to Miller who has it in development as a reboot, at Desert C.A.M. Studios. In the mid 80’s, Chip developed a pioneer rock biopic at Paramount Pictures, “Be Bop A Lula,” about rockabilly icons, Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps. Chip’s partner was Nicolas Cage, and together, they secured commitments from Sean Penn as Vincent’s guitarist Johnny Meeks, Tom Cruise as Eddie Cochran, Ray Sharkey as the band’s manager, and to play Little Richard, the still unknown singer, Prince. “The Seven Fishes,” is a comedy drama that was set to shoot in Philadelphia, October 2001, with James Caan, Fred Ward, Dean Cain, Hillary Swank, Alison Eastwood, and pop singer Gino Vannelli. Chip was going to direct from an original screenplay he co-wrote with Chip Nuzzo and later with Henry Bloomstein. On September 11th, everything came to a stop on the East Coast after the World Trade Center tragedy. All film production was halted for a year. Investors pulled out and talent moved on to other projects. Currently, the script is being re-write at Desert C.A.M. Studios.
Awards include CMT Music Video Awards, MTV Video Awards, an MTV Australia Video Award, MTV Europe Video Awards, Billboard Music Video Awards, American Music Awards, a Clio Award, a DANAE Literary Award, Jasper Communications Awards, an ENTENTE Award, a Los Angeles Art Director Award, a Golden Pyramid Award, a Smithsonian Institute’s Aerospace Division Art Award, Clover Writer’s Society of America Awards, and the Soho Writer’s Circle Award. For his critically-hailed 12-part PBS documentary series on the former USSR: “After the Red Star: The Baltics, Western Republics, Caucasus, Russia, and Central Asia,” Chip received a Los Angeles EMMY nomination. He has also garnered accolades for his graphic designs, paintings, and spoken word. Chip is a member of the WGAw (Writer’s Guild of America west), ASCAP, BMI Music International, New York Literary Society, American Marketing Association, NY Society of Illustrators, NY Art Directors Guild, PGAw (Producers Guild of America), the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and is pending DGA (Directors Guild).
And now about Desert C.A.M. Studios:
Desert C.A.M. Studios, with offices in Burbank and Palm Desert, CA, is an award-winning original Content Creator, Motion Picture, Television, Documentary, Commercial, and Music Video production and post-production company, founded in 2008 by award-winning LA filmmaker, screenwriter, video producer and editor, Chip Miller. Pioneer female music video producer and editor, Travis Miller heads up operations and post production. In 2014, LA music producer and supervisor, Daniel Pomeroy, joined the team and handles film and TV licensing and music production. In 2019, award-winning TV producer, writer, and director, Allen Plone came aboard, focusing on development of unique, original creative content for the company’s 2023 -2024 project slate. In 2021, GRAMMY nominee, nine-time NAMMY Award winner (Native American GRAMMY), best-selling indigenous singer/songwriter, pop star, and actress, Jana Mashonee, joined up to oversee female and indigenous-driven theatrical and content movies and television projects. Other key members of the company include production counselor, J.T. McBride; and press/media coordinator, Kit Gleeson; and production accountant, Carol Plone. Desert C.A.M. Studios is signature to the WGAw (Writer’s Guild of America West) and the PGAw (Producers Guild of America); and holds membership in ASCAP; BMI Music International; American Marketing Association; The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the Hollywood Motion Picture Council.
Desert C.A.M. Studios has produced live TV music concert specials for HBO, Showtime, MTV, FNX Channel, BET, PBS, BBC, and MTV Europe; indie theatrical films and television programs; numerous series pilots; national TV commercials; a hundred plus music videos for major recording artists; several released documentaries, and creative content for international streaming platforms. The company is also the American representative for internationally-known Irish dance troupe, the National Dance Company of Ireland. Through its local production arm, Desert Star Film & TV Productions, the company produces regional and local television commercials and infomercials for such clientele as Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant, Spectrum Television, the annual KJJZ Smooth Jazz Festival, the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, the annual La Quinta International Arts Festival, and PSA spots for The State of California, The California Department of Forestry, Indio and La Quinta Police and Fire Departments.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Highly original concepts and top quality value. I’ve always been a natural pioneer with social, cultural, and artistic trends and cycles, usually being one step ahead. I was that way in my personal life where I chose to be a stand-out risk-taking groundbreaker, whether it was my dress and strong fashion sense, hair styles, or with my artwork as a painter turned illustrator. When I started my company and became a Hollywood filmmaker and writer, I carried over those same practices with my production company. We’ve delivered 100% of the time since the mid-90’s when I had my earlier production company, and have carried on the superb and unique work with Desert C,A.M. Studios. My/our work can be experienced on our YouTube Channel, company website, and all our credits and accomplishments are listed in IMDB Pro. Another factor in building a good reputation is honesty.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes. An Oscar. A Grammy. A Tony. An Emmy. I’ve already been nominated for an Emmy and a Grammy, and I’ve won several times at the American Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, MTV Awards, and a Golden Globe. It’s not the trophy so much or even the acclaim, it is more a symbol of my dreams as a young teen, coming true. I ponder often how lucky I am working with Liam Neeson, Nicolas Cage, Cher, Dustin Hoffman, and a long list of other big names in my industry. Though my hard work, doing my homework, and delivering the goods, has also contributed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DesertCAMStudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travismiller8325/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millerartist/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chip-g-miller-51944a10/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChipDCAM
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/chipdaniel2
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=k5xkaiY2By3dM39RlO2ZhA
- Other: https://oldsandmill.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits
All pics by Travis Miller & Shari Belafonte