Media Production Development Zone Program Advisory Committee
The Texas Film Commission’s Media Production Development Zone (MPDZ) Advisory Committee is established to assist the Texas Film Commission (TFC), part of the Office of the Governor’s Division of Economic Development and Tourism, with the review and evaluation of eligible MPDZ applicants. The advisory committee is composed of the director of the Texas Film Commission, one representative of the Texas Comptroller’s office, and nine members who are all appointed by the Texas Comptroller that provide for a balanced representation of the different geographic regions of the state. Additionally, the nine members must represent specific and varied moving image industry segments. The advisory committee will make recommendations to the TFC for approval or disapproval of MPDZ applications. Final decision making authority lies with the Texas Film Commission.
Members
ANIMATION / VISUAL EFFECTS
Greg Lyons – Executive Producer, Brazen Animation
A Native Texan and Dallas resident, Greg attended Texas Christian University and received a degree with a double major in business and film. He got his start in the entertainment industry at Sony Pictures in Los Angeles working on many of their television productions and theatrically released feature films. Greg returned to Texas to take a producer role at Reel FX Creative Studios. While at Reel FX, he worked as Producer on a wide variety of company projects including commercials, short films, feature films, large venue theme park attractions and the critically acclaimed animated feature The Book of Life. At the conclusion of production on The Book of Life, Greg joined Brazen Animation as Executive Producer. Greg is responsible for business development and external relationships at Brazen.
COMMERCIAL
Brian Hwang – Executive Producer and Partner, Republic Productions
Brian Hwang is an accomplished executive producer with over two decades of experience spanning production, post-production, and agency leadership. Known for his collaborative spirit and strategic vision, Brian bridges creative and business objectives, fostering strong partnerships between clients, agencies, and directors. His career includes a decade at global advertising agency McCann New York, where he helped lead large-scale campaigns for international brands. In 2016, he relocated to Texas and quickly became a key contributor to the Dallas advertising and production community. In early 2019, he joined Republic to spearhead the launch of its production division, Threaded Pictures, which has since evolved into Republic Productions. There he has produced work for high-profile clients including Frito Lay, McDonald's, US Air Force, Salvation Army, Dr. Pepper, and Subway.
Beyond his work at Republic, Brian is a dedicated industry advocate. He currently serves as President of AICP Southwest and as Southwest Regional Director on the AICP National Board. Since 2018, he has played a vital role in addressing regional and national industry issues, championing best practices, and advancing the interests of the commercial production community.
FILM / TELEVISION
Michelle Mower – Film and Television Writer, Director, Producer
Michelle Mower received her B.A. degree in Radio/Television from the University in Houston in 2000. After graduation, she became an Associate Producer for the morning news program at the Houston NBC affiliate. In 2003, Michelle joined Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP), a non-profit media arts organization as its Program Coordinator. While at SWAMP, Michelle organized professional workshops, film screenings, networking mixers and special film-related events. But most importantly, she created a summer moviemaking camp for teens and SWAMP’s premiere event, the annual Business of Film Conference. Since leaving SWAMP, Michelle has written, directed and produced a number of feature films and shorts. Her debut feature The Preacher’s Daughter garnered the highest ratings of any movie on Lifetime Movie Network in 2012, and she continues to direct and produce content for the network. Michelle previously served on the boards of Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA) and Women in Film and Television (WiFT). She currently sits on the boards for Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP) and Houston Community College’s Department of Film and Audio Production.
VIDEO GAMES
Donald Harris – Executive Producer, FarBridge
Donald Harris currently serves as Executive Producer at FarBridge and Founder of ATX Game Makers. His diverse career has spanned from acclaimed gaming projects like Titanfall to financial technology at Goldman Sachs, encompassing a broad range of industry experience. Over the past 22 years, Donald has contributed to more than 30 game titles, progressing through roles in quality assurance and production before spending the last eight years as Executive Producer. His career briefly included a successful venture with a startup that was acquired by Goldman Sachs within a year, after which he returned to his passion for game development. As Founder of ATX Game Makers, Donald is dedicated to cultivating and expanding Austin's game development community. The organization has grown to over 1,600 members and hosts multiple industry events annually. Operating under the motto "Increasing the diversity in the games industry by way of education, inspiration and entrepreneurship," Donald continues his commitment to strengthening Austin's position as a premier destination for interactive entertainment.
WORKFORCE
Steve Belsky – President, International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 484
Steve Belsky began his career in the early 1990’s working in the lighting and camera departments of Austin-area productions such as Dazed and Confused and Flesh and Bone. His credits include big budget features (Stargate) and episodic television (JAG, Relativity, Friday Night Lights). Steve was initially the Business Manager when the Texas chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.) Local 484 was formed in 1992. He became President in 1996 and continues to this day, representing Studio Mechanics in Texas and Oklahoma working in construction, art, electric, sound, special effects, and several other film/television production departments. In 2010, he received a J.D. degree from the South Texas College of Law and now also works full-time for I.A.T.S.E. International as Co-Director of the Broadcast Sports Department.
EQUIPMENT/VENDOR
Shelly Schriber – President, Film Fleet LLC
Shelly Schriber has been a film industry professional since she was sixteen years old where she started out as a Craft Service Assistant for the blockbuster hit, “Dazed & Confused.” Today, Shelly is the President and General Manager of Film Fleet, LLC; a nationwide film transportation rental firm. With over twohundred pieces of equipment in inventory, Film Fleet boasts one of the largest fleets in the Southern US and is known for its ‘family oriented’ customer service. One of her proudest moments is her team’s prompt response in mobilizing ninety-five individual emergency response living quarters to our linemen during Hurricane Harvey. In her time away from the office, Shelly likes to flex her philanthropic arm through volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. She also created and fostered the “Crew Helping Crew” campaign that cultivates charitable contributions to members of the Texas film industry. Past campaigns include: expunging individual medical expenses, computers for the Texas State University Film Program, Bastrop wildfire relief, and toys for the Angel Tree Christmas drive.
AT LARGE
Fernando S. Cano II – Film and Television Production Manager
DFW-based Fernando S. Cano II has been involved in film production in numerous capacities for over twenty-five years, having worn such hats as producer, cinematographer, production manager, production coordinator, assistant director, and location manager on everything from feature films to shorts, documentaries, music videos, and commercials. His feature credits as a producer include Pain Flower, No Pain, No Gain, As Long As I Remember: American Veteranos, Latinos Living the American Dream, Line of Duty, and The One I Wrote for You. Fernando continues to work as a freelancer and tackles production logistics for various companies from across Texas, the USA and internationally.
Joe Dishner – Film and Television Producer, Production Manager
Joe Dishner is a native Texan and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. He has worked in the film industry for over 25 years as a Producer, Line Producer, and Unit Production Manager. Early in his career he worked as Location Manager on Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful as well as David Byrne’s TRUE STORIES. Joe has gone on to have a diverse career, comprising feature films, TV series, documentaries, and TV commercials. His producing and production manager credits include feature films (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, A Simple Plan, Dreamer), episodic television (Ghost Whisperer, Dallas, 22, The Good Guys), and PBS documentaries (The Fort Worth Watergarden, Gimble’s Swing). Additionally, Joe was a founding co-publisher of The Austin Chronicle, and he is a long time member of The Directors Guild of America.
Suzanne Weinert – Film and Television Producer
Suzanne Weinert began her career as the VP of Shoelace Productions participating in the development and production of over 14 narrative features and documentaries. She is the writer/producer of Exterminators starring Heather Graham and Jennifer Coolidge which premiered opening night of the SXSW film festival in 2009. She is the producer of The Legend of Hell’s Gate (2011) starring Henry Thomas, Eric Balfour, Jenna Dewan and Summer Glau as well of the Executive Producer of Hellion (2014) starring Aaron Paul and Juliette Lewis. Most recently she Executive Produced the Texas films On Fire which shot in Bastrop, TX and Match Me If You Can which shot all throughout the Austin area. She is a faculty member of both Fordham University and The School of Visual Arts in NYC and serves on the Board of the Austin Film Society. She divides her time between NYC and Austin, TX.