We recently connected with John Callas and have shared our conversation below.
Hi John, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I was fortunate to have an opportunity to be on a film set where I learned by observing. Speeding up the learning process wasn’t the issue, it was all about experience.
Skills that are essential is to understand each department, how they function, the necessary crew to accomplish the shoot, time they need and then coordinate all the elements.
The obstacle standing in the way was all about the catch-22 – Without experience no one wants to hire you and without being hired you can’t gain the experience.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a fifty-year veteran director, write, producer. On a chance meeting, I met an art director that was interested in seeing the play I was doing for my master degree. Later he knew I wanted to be a filmmaker and invited me on a set. I met a SPFX person who I wound up working with for several years, then transitioning in to almost every depart i could to gain insights within each department.
I eventually was know for “if you can’t figure it out, call Callas. It will be expensive but he will get it right.”
I am most proud of the fact that if I am in charge of doing a budget, I have never gone over once in 50 years. I have accomplish iconic work such as the Tri-Star logo, 80 episodes of Bobby’s World (received an Emmy nomination) and was one of the first to figure out how to shoot a live rock concert with film (it had never been done back then).
I also received the 2nd annual MTV award for Best concept “Smuggler’s Blues” that I produced.
A full background can be visited at www.johncallas.com
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source is my reputation preceded me.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to continue directing and writing stories that I resonate with the characters and theme. I no longer will take anything to make money. I have the experience to pick and choose.
I also function as a mentor to help new filmmaker learn the ropes the right way so they can have the confidence and experience to branch out on their own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ohncallas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnpcallas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.callas.1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-callas-3648837/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnpcallas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncallas1606
- Other: Amazon Central: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004U7GSZA
IMDB: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0130327?ref_=hm_prof_photo
Medium: https://medium.com/@johncallas
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6197654.John_Callas
Image Credits
An EMMY nomination for Bobby’s World, THE NEW YORK CRITICS CHOICE AWARD for Lone Wolf, BEST FEATURE at Fright Night Festival & BEST DIRECTOR at Scar A Con festival for No Solicitors – Several awards for his short THE WHITE GORILLA, A CLIO and BELDING for his work on the Sunkist campaign, BEST OF THE WEST for directorial work on a one-woman show, and an MTV AWARD FOR BEST CONCEPT for Glen Frey’s Smuggler’s Blues.