We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany McDonald Bentman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.
Tiffany, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
After Brett and I made our first bigger budget movie, 90 Feet From Home, which was paid for by out of state investors, we invested in our own film, ‘Copper Bill’. We didn’t have a buyer for the film and often went to bed at night trying to figure out how we were gonna get this movie sold to pay off the loan we took out to make it. We put it on Amazon first and it did really well. In fact, it’s still making money today! The magical “moment” for us is due to a close friend of Brett and myself who introduced us to Stuart, over at ITN Distribution. Stu watched Copper Bill and bought it. After a few discussions, they wanted us to start making movies for them. Our first funded film by ITN is called The Rodeo Thief, released in 2020, followed by Honor Among Thieves, Buckskin and Outlaw’s Buckle, just to name a few. We worked all through Covid and we haven’t stopped. It’s been a learning curve and I stick to what I know. Right now, we have 27 films made so far with 4 in pre production. We get hate on a lot, that comes with success. Most don’t like Brett, me or the stories we tell. But I know that B22 Films is the only production company in this area making it happen, making content that’s being seen worldwide on a small budget scale. We surround ourselves with good people too, and that helps make the day fun and fulfilling. I love it when talent come to set and say, “so and so told me not to work with you guys but I’ve had nothing but positive experiences on your set” and “this is the most organized set I’ve ever been on”. I love that, I love the talent and crew who grow with us because after all, this is a building journey. In 2024, we have another amazing journey with a new streaming company and we’re ready to strike this thing head on!
Tiffany, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was born in 1975 in Dallas, Texas. We lived in Plano, then moved to Allen, Tx in 1979. I knew since I was 4 years old that I wanted to be an actress. I knew every commercial made, I loved to watch Kerri Von Erich wrestle on Saturday mornings on the way to my soccer games, I made home videos with my dad’s huge VHS camera and I loved the theater. There was a worldwide modeling search I became a finalist in and I obtained my first agent. My dad was sick with cancer for a few years then passed away when I was 13, I never pursued any more adventures after that. So let’s fast forward 14 years, I started acting at 27. I ran through 2 agencies before settling with Campbell in Dallas. DFW is a commercial and print market, not a huge film/tv market. Campbell did wonders for me. My first commercial with them was a Whataburger commercial. I was on Barney and Friends and The Deep End, but made most of my living off SAG commercials and print ads in 2 markets. I decided in 2016 to just stop. My life had changed and I decided to leave the past with my past. I started B22 Films in 2017 thinking it wouldn’t amount to anything, so I didn’t put much thought into it. 22 is a power number and to be honest, I’m not sure where I thought of the B. But it works because my legal last name begins with B so I guess it was just meant to be! I get asked quite often how I came up with the logo. So there you have it! As for the services we provide, we are an independent film production company based in Fort Worth, Texas. We can do anything pertaining to the industry if you have the funds to execute your plan. We can help with crew, casting, food, locations, whatever is required to make an organized, successful and fun filming experience. I am also a proud member of the Producers Guild of America or p.g.a.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I started B22 Films in 2017. I remarried in 2018. I started back to work in mid 2019, I was furloughed in March of 2020. Which was fine with me because we moved from Grapevine to Fort Worth in December 2019 and I commuted to Coppell. B22 acquired a deal with ITN in early 2020 and I started with a new office in May of 2020. Before I was hired, I told the Doctor that I had just acquired a deal with a distribution company to make 3-4 movies a year for them. He said that was fine as long as I give him plenty of time for the days off. I’m very grateful he supported this creative side of me. But the next year, we made 5, then 8, then 10 and it just keeps growing. My last day is December 14th. The side hustle is a full time business now!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My reputation is built due to the past 25 years of being in the business. I know most of the agents and managers, casting directors. I pay people on time. I create a safe work environment. It is extremely important to be professional and approachable. Be respectful, friendly, honest and just take care of the people who support the mission.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tifanymbentman / b22_films
- Facebook: B22 Films / Tiffany M Bentman
- Twitter: b22films
- Youtube: B22 Films
- Other: IMDB: B22 Films / Tiffany McDonald
Image Credits
Duran Photography