At Work With… Coleman McClung, Studio Operations Manager at AMP Studios
The ‘At Work With…’ Interview Series is our way of bringing you behind-the-scenes with the names and businesses included in our Texas Production Directory (TPD). We want to showcase the creatives that cover all levels of production experience, backgrounds, and geographies around the state.
This week’s spotlight is on Coleman McClung, Studio Operations Manager at AMP Studios, based in Dallas and a Texan for 11 years.
Your claim to fame: What special skill or fun fact differentiates you from others?
I'm kind of the mad scientist of AMP Studios. I jump at the opportunity to play around with innovating gear and solutions you can't find in any other industry, whether it's experimenting with a new piece of camera tech or running 250 volts of cable to the lighting crew.
What are the skills required to succeed in your specific area of expertise?
I have to be able to manage a crew and a client's interests simultaneously, while also acting as the face of the studio. I have a hand in marketing, operations, crew hiring, and gear coordination. I have to have all the capabilities of a rental house, concierge, electrician, and tech guru on demand. I make sure a production has everything they need the second they walk through the door.
What advice have you been given that continues to be helpful in your work?
Find your groove. Many people get into this line of work looking to do a specific thing. Be open to other opportunities and find what you actually enjoy doing or have a knack for.
How have Covid-19 safety protocols affected the way that you work?
This is something we have taken extremely seriously. Our goal is that everyone who comes into the studio has confidence in who they're working with and the procedures we have in place. We don't want anyone to feel like they have to put their physical and mental health in danger because of their job or where they're filming. That's on us.
What are some of the projects made in Texas that you feel reflect the diverse culture of the state?
I think everything from the classic westerns that defined an age of cinema, up to more modern examples from Robert Rodriguez, Mike Judge, Wes Anderson, and so many more show not only a diversity in filmmaking styles, but culturally as well. Texas is a state at the forefront of worldwide cultural diversity. I think over the next few decades, the landscape of production is going to really showcase how many voices have yet to be heard.
Interview has been edited for brevity.
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