Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Phipps
Hi Kris, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my filmmaking journey in the late 90’s as an intern for an Austin production company called Granite House which was managed by filmmaker Dwight Adair. Dwight was an old school filmmaker who had worked on projects like Urban Cowboy and the Dallas television series. His wife was Sandra Adair who was Richard Linklater’s editor, so it was very exciting to be a part of that environment even as an intern.
After Granite House, I drifted away from filmmaking for a bit. My late teens and early 20’s were a difficult time for me and it was hard for me to figure out how to find my place in life.. much less in the film industry. Several years later, I got my act together and directed a short film with a mostly Austin based crew. That film ended up doing well and helped me to truly connect with the Austin film community. After that, things came a lot easier and I was collaborating with other Austin creatives on a regular basis.
I eventually started my own film company, Garth Manor, which has helped to produce many films thanks to the hard work of some truly amazing local artists and filmmakers. In addition to producing films, we utilized live events to connect with movie fans. We started doing interactive film screenings at venues like the Alamo Drafthouse, the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas, and at Austin’s Central Presbyterian Church with a unique event called Horror Church. We used those events to not only promote our own work but to help promote other local filmmakers and artists as well.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think there are always struggles when you’re striving to grow, or improve, as a business or as an artist. The struggles might change as the challenges and goals evolve, but they are always there. For a creative venture, I think the struggles can start as soon as you make the decision to put your art out into the world. It’s a scary thing to do! It’s hard to stay motivated when doors are slammed in your face. You have to continue to believe in what you’re trying to accomplish and stay focused of the next goal. You also have to not be afraid to ask for help from other people in the same industry who may have once been where you are now. The filmmaking community in Austin is very helpful and giving and you can always find great advice for almost any issue. The other major struggle is, of course, how to stay financially afloat as a creative entity. With Garth Manor, we’ve found the ways to do that, but it was a long road to reach that point and those solutions evolve as the industry evolves.
Garth Manor was started 14 years ago, and within that time, we have faced a multitude of challenges from running out of production funds, high rent prices, movies being shut down in the middle of production, the pandemic.. you name it! And I’m sure that every production company has those same stories. But where all those struggles really hurt is when they cause you to question whether it’s worth it to keep going.. whether you’re good enough. It’s those moments where having a strong community really helps, and we’ve been helped out a lot. And I hope that we’ve helped others as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a film director and creative producer specializing in the horror genre. I am the founder of the film company, Garth Manor. I think I am most proud of the success and recognition that Garth Manor has received from audiences around the world.. That success is a testament to all of the amazing artists that we have been lucky to collaborate with.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I enjoy reading books about my favorite filmmakers and artists. I love learning about the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Some of my favorites are Hitchcock/Truffaut by Francois Truffaut, True Indie by Don Croscarelli, and Step Right Up by William Castle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegarthmanor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garthmanor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565133057048
