Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Rupert
Hi Chris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Fifteen years ago, Chris Rupert stepped into an industry that often felt cold, competitive, and transactional. But Chris saw something different—an opportunity to lead with heart, respect, and genuine human connection.
Chris’s journey into the filmmaking world was anything but traditional. His first major opportunity came with a late-night call to edit a high-profile fashion campaign for Neiman Marcus. Without any previous editing experience and faced with a daunting 24-hour deadline, Chris didn’t back down. Instead, he leaned into his network, learned overnight, and delivered a standout project. This bold move became a defining moment that set the tone for his future: taking risks fueled by resilience, passion, and collaboration.
As Chris continued in the film industry, he noticed a troubling trend: the environment was often impersonal, driven by hierarchy and profit rather than genuine care for people and creativity. He recognized the need for a cultural shift and envisioned a place where filmmakers could collaborate openly, feel respected, and create with freedom and joy.
In 2013, Chris and his wife, Diesa, founded Nametag Films, embodying their vision of a company rooted in integrity and respect. Seeking to nurture the creative community further, they relocated their production office to Fort Worth’s Near Southside neighborhood, purchasing and renovating an old recording studio on South Main Street. The result was Salt FW, a beautifully remodeled 6,000-square-foot shared workspace designed to help creatives thrive. Salt FW offers private offices, a soundproof podcast studio, a cutting-edge video editing suite, and a private-access coffee shop, all crafted to elevate professional experiences.
Recognizing a gap in Fort Worth’s film industry—a lack of dedicated camera rental facilities with proper prep spaces—Chris and Diesa launched Shine Cine. Conveniently located within Salt FW, Shine Cine serves the local film community with transparent pricing, high-quality gear, and a specialized camera prep area. This initiative ensures filmmakers have access to the resources they need without the hassle of traveling to other cities.
As newcomers to the Fort Worth film community, Chris, Diesa, and Nametag Films are enthusiastic about contributing to the vibrant local creative scene.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey hasn’t always been smooth. When Chris and Diesa started their broadcast commercial production company in 2013, Dallas was considered a secondary market—agencies often took larger-budget projects to LA or NY. The jobs remaining in Dallas were frequently budget-challenged or had rapid turnaround requirements. Although initially challenging, these constraints became a blessing, teaching them to excel at maximizing smaller budgets and tight deadlines, making $50k projects appear like $150k productions on-screen. They also made the strategic decision early on to only take projects aligning with their core values, a choice that might have limited opportunities but ultimately deepened their focus and impact. Their biggest struggle came with renovating their building at 911 S Main Street, a project initially slated for one year but eventually stretching into a three-year journey marked by perseverance, hard work, and dedication before finally opening the doors.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We believe our success’s ultimate source is our faith in God. Jesus Christ and the Bible has always been our guide in life and everything we do. We’ve built a foundation of integrity, trust, and excellence by consistently placing God first and family second, followed by meaningful relationships with our clients and crews, and then our work. This approach isn’t just a value statement—it’s our daily practice, shaping the culture and heart of our company and allowing us to serve others authentically and passionately.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something most people don’t know about us is our deeply collaborative approach. No matter who’s directing a project, we tackle it as a united team, actively supporting and helping each other out. Additionally, Nametag Films thrives on challenging projects—those that other production companies might hesitate to take on. While many know us primarily as a commercial broadcast production company, we’ve recently expanded into live experiential events, creating content specifically designed for multi-screen live venues, showcasing our versatility and adaptability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nametagfilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nametagfilms/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismrupert/
- Other: https://www.shinecine.com/
