Film & Video Faculty

Brandon Hadnot-Walker is a professional Graphic Designer and Motion Graphics Artist, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts & Game Development from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His strong passion for digital media drives his growth as a creative individual, which has granted him an array of skills and knowledge within today’s industry-standard design and production software. He has created motion graphics and 2D assets for game developer Human Head Studios, served as a Motion Graphics Artist for GameZombie.TV, and completed several commercial projects as a Freelance Artist for clients across the nation within the past decade. He believes that passion is the fuel required to get to the destination of your dreams. His favorite quote for any aspiring creative is this: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar 

When Dave was 19, he moved from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA to work for Americorps and to see what LA could offer. One morning, his roommate woke him up. “Hey, a friend of mine is working on a film and they need production assistants,” he said. “If you can catch a bus and be there today by 9, you’ll have the job.” Needless to say, Dave caught the bus. After that movie wrapped, he moved on to a few more Hollywood projects, ultimately working as a story producer on a nationally-syndicated reality game show. Having found a career that he loved, he returned home to Pennsylvania to learn the basics of filmmaking at Temple University. While interning for a Philadelphia-based animator, Dave met a producer who got him started as a location sound mixer. He quickly realized that his love of music recording and acoustics could be translated into a career in sound for film. Since then, he has worked on a wide array of projects as a sound editor, camera operator, and director for clients such as Hulu, Nickelodeon, and Food Network. A natural innovator, he is always looking for ways to surpass expectations and challenge himself. His interests lie in directing documentaries and creating immersive binaural sound experiences. Dave would love to work on more science fiction pieces, and hopes to someday invent acoustical levitation.

Disco San Andreas is a video instructor at the F.I.R.S.T. Institute and he currently serves part time as the Artistic Director of the American Actors Factory. For over a decade Disco was an acting, directing, and producing instructor at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida and a part time acting instructor at the LA Acting Workshop in Orlando. He began his film and television production career in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne Division as a broadcast journalist, non-linear editor, videographer,  newscaster, show producer, and public affairs specialist. He holds a bachelor degree in Theater from the University of Central Florida, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. The reason: “I have a degree in theater because of my love of the arts. I have a degree in business because of what a great acting teacher told me. It’s called show business for a reason. Ten percent show, 90 percent business.” As a private acting coach he has worked with Michael Winslow from Police Academy, Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, SBK of Orlando’s Real Radio 104.1 and Jenn Bisram from Orlando’s Fox News. Volunteering is a central part of his life and he donates time yearly to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, The Orlando Fringe Festival and The Winter Park Playhouse. 

Earl is F.I.R.S.T. Institute’s Director of Education and staff trainer. He’s an avid lover of all forms of digital media. Before devoting his time to training the institute’s staff, he dedicated his career time moonlighting as an audio engineer throughout Orlando, FL. He’s helped build audio and lighting systems for roller coasters and theme park attractions as well as spent a decade trying not to get covered in paint and Captain Crunch doing sound for Blue Man Group. In fact, Blue Man Group liked him so much they sent him to Miami and Las Vegas to help with appearances at the Miami Children’s Museum and the Latin Grammys. Earl has been part of the F.I.R.S.T. Institute team for over ten years. Here’s to ten more!

 Jamile Johnson is a passionate video professional from Sacramento, California. Jamile received his degree from Valencia College where he studied graphic design and motion graphics. He started his career at the University of Central Florida where he honed his chops as a producer creating promotional and educational motion graphic videos. He then moved on to work as a Creative Producer for ABC Network Television, creating hundreds of compelling commercials and video marketing ads for local and national businesses. Outside of the world of video marketing and production Jamile is known in the local Orlando art scene as a fine artist. Jamile creates paintings and drawings of realistic portraits using an expressive style. Jamile has has been showcased in many galleries across Orlando such as City Arts Factory Galleries and the Orlando Museum of Art. With almost 10 years of experience working as a creative producer he has gained the knowledge and skill to be respected among his peers as a leader and educator in the field. 

Michelle Hill has worked in the professional film, video, and digital media industries as a Project and Production Manager for over 20 years. During her tenure, she has managed film and television projects for clients such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Nickelodeon, as well as a plethora of commercial clients. While working within the industry, Hill developed a passion for education and the passing on of knowledge to the next generation. She has spent well over 10 years educating students in the areas of new business development and presentation as it pertains to the entertainment industry. Hill graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film production with an emphasis in business.

Rick A. Sellers is an award-winning filmmaker who has produced, directed and edited an impressive list of music videos for several national recording artists including “The Chance” by Pamela McNeill (2014), “Hey My Brother” by Andy Lindquist (2013), and “Rumours and Dreams” by Pamela McNeill Productions (2013). He won first place in the 2012 blockhead film festival held in Minnesota with the short film “Childs Play,” which he wrote, directed and edited. In 2014 he took third place in the International Climate Change Project contest sponsored by the UN. Ricky entered the music video “Change The Tide” that he produced, directed and edited. Ricky has been an avid part of the entertainment business for over thirty-five years from performing on many national stages across the country to working behind the scenes. He has worked with both the audio and video aspects of the entertainment business creating promotional videos as well as full-fledged music videos.

Tim has been capturing moments since he discovered his first tape recorder when he was just 7 years old. Born into a family of artists, he jumped at any opportunity he could to tailor his craft by intentionally surrounding himself with the right people. Since learning the basics of video and audio production at an early age and refining himself through college, Tim eventually landed his first job in the industry as a Producer/Director for Time Warner Media. From conception to delivery and everything in between, his tenure at Time Warner landed him many other projects with the likes of NCAA Woman’s College Sports, Reality Check of New York State, and more. All the while, in his spare time, producing EDM music with releases on various labels around the globe. Tim’s journey has since taken him from the frigid climate of the Northeast to the wonderfully warm and welcoming climate of Orlando Florida. During his time here in Florida, he has been certified as a legal videographer as well as assist his local church build and maintain media departments with everything from live video to creative media content creation. Fun Facts about Tim: • Loves Transformers, so much that he has tattoos • Produces House music and has major releases on various record labels • Loves the beach, body boarding, and FPS games • A big fan of cultural foods • Born and raised in Syracuse, NY