Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Painter.
Hi Andy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in love with the magic of movies since I was just a boy visiting Disney’s MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) taking the tram tour, riding the Great Movie Ride and specifically watching the Indiana Jones Stunt show. Even though it was all just a show for public entertainment, watching the various people yell “lights, camera, action!” left such an impression on me. The notion that “making movies” could be a job really resonated with 9-year-old Andy and lead me to study filmmaking throughout my formative school years. My first camera was my dad’s VHS camcorder which I made countless movies with aided by my action figures and school buddies. Later in life I was introduced to my grandpa’s super 8 movie camera, an item I cherish and still use to make films with today.
Inspired by classic Hollywood films by Speilberg and Lucas (ala Indiana Jones and Star Wars) Vintage Stuiods started as my first company after graduating film school in Winter Park back in 2005. The idea was to keep Old Hollywood-style filmmaking alive by creating works of cinema that would be authentically nostalgic and timeless. With the help of my film-school friends, I released several works including our first feature called “Caesar” a black and white film noir adaptation of Shakespeare’s Julias Caesar. Ultimately though, Vintage Studios became a banner to do freelance work throughout my video industry career and remains that to this day.
Along the way of creating corporate promos, wedding videos, and various industry staples, self-produced independent features became less and less of a priority as I now was focusing on being a young father and raising 2 daughters. I took jobs working for local production companies, including Adrenaline Films in Edgewood, FL where I had amazing opportunities to work on big-name TV shows and commercials. I even had the incredible opportunity to edit a documentary called “Woman in Motion” about the life of Star Trek star Nichele Nichols, which is now streaming on Paramount+. In this process, we transferred many 16mm film reels to 2k video, which was a pure joy and reminded me of how much I missed working with film.
Ironically, things really picked up in 2020, when I found more time on my hands due to the lockdown and sudden closure of a lot of work in the Orlando area. It was with that extra time I, like so many, was able to reflect and take stock in what I loved the most, which for me has always been making movies. This culminated in the decision to acquire a 70+ year old Bell & Howell movie camera and shoot film for the first time in ages.
It connected me directly to history and rekindled my love for movies making. I decided from now on not only would I start focusing on independent releases again, but with every release, I would incorporate the traditional film format wherever possible. I started a YouTube channel called “The Vintage Filmmaker” where I share my experiences of working with film and what I love about film history, which has become an unexpected source of support from other like-minded fans and artists in the vintage community.
I’ve also had the opportunity to show my clients how vintage style filmmaking can add so much value and help them stand out from the crowd in their social media or promotional needs, including wedding films, music videos, news-reel style coverage and more. It’s something that once you see it you can’t help but fall in love and want to do it more and more!
As for my releases, my latest self-produced film projects revolve around a little character named “Milo” a little vintage teddy bear that comes to life and has wacky adventures throughout classic eras of filmmaking. We recently achieved high recognition at the Central Florida Film Festival (CENFLO) for “Milo & Jimmy; Picnic Pals” a love letter to the silent era, coming in as a finalist for both best comedic short and best Florida project for 2022. We have more Milo pictures on the way so stay tuned!
Although my style may be based on film history, my values are unapologetically modern. I believe that in order to have a truly progressive future we need to have a comprehensive appreciation of the past through relevant stories of diversity and inclusivity. These beliefs guide my commitment to addressing inequality in all forms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Unfortunately for me, it has not been a smooth road. I feel as though nearly every possible setback that can happen to a person has pretty much happened to me (not to be TOO fatalistic!) I’ve been through a recession, job loss, divorce, multiple personal tragedies – the worst of which was losing my mother to cancer, and now – a global pandemic. On the one hand, I wish I never had to experience such profoundly stressful events, but on the other hand, I recognize that those moments have forever shaped and informed who I am.
Nothing – and I mean NOTHING – has come easy to me. I have had to fight for every job, every opportunity, and when there wasn’t an opportunity, I had to create one for myself. There have been many anxious or even hopeless moments where I simply didn’t know how I was going to put gas in the tank to get me to work the next day, or feed my kids or any other countless problems I had to solve – let alone achieve filmmaking aspirations. But in spite of all the worst that life has thrown at me over the years, I’m still here and I’m still finding new ways to keep my dream alive. Filmmaking isn’t a hobby for me, it’s my identity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m what’s called a “vintage filmmaker” which means I specialize in authentic film style based on classic filmmaking techniques and incorporate shooting film wherever possible. I use old-fashioned wind-up and hand-cranked movie cameras that are vintage to the golden age of film. Although this is a service I provide on a low volume basis the real passion is the original independent film releases. Every project is created with intentionality and care and although the goal is always to delight and entertain, the real aim is time travel – connecting audiences to the past. These projects are not created merely for the sake of using film, but rather are meant to be engaging, compelling stories that could not exist in any other medium.
Currently, I’m most proud of “Milo” a little stuffed bear whose funny asymmetrical face has inadvertently become the icon of my latest film series, launching a brand all his own! Right now I’m working on my next Milo movie, which promises to be a real adventure and I CANNOT WAIT for audiences to see it!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me are my two daughters Maddie and Natalie. They are my inspiration for everything and the reason I live. I make all my films with them in mind. Maddie specifically has helped me with developing my film ideas and has even advised my vintage style persona for YouTube and social media. Without them, my passion for film is hollow. They inspire me every day and fill my life with the kind of love that sustains me through my moments of doubt, something I don’t think I could do without in these uncertain times.
Beyond them, film and filmmaking is my identity. It’s all I want to do for a living for the rest of my life and what I want to be remembered for.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@thevintagefilmmaker.com
- Website: https://www.thevintagefilmmaker.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andy_thevintagefilmmaker/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/TheVintageFilmmaker
