Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis L. Harnagel
Hi Curtis L., we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love of the performing arts began as a child watching movie musicals and tv concert performances. In school, my interest grew by participating in live productions and music class. This led me to Casa Mañana for education and performance. Performing is enjoyable, but I always wanted to create and direct. When I entered high school, I happened upon the newly formed Productions / Media Technology program at Southwest High School. Under the tutelage of Tim Hood, I learned the art / science of Video and Audio Editing, Lighting and Sound Design, plus general Production Management. Tim’s training has proved invaluable as I still utilize it to this day. After graduation, I pursued a degree in Radio / Television / Film at the University of North Texas. While there, I co-Directed the Documentary Short, “Tango Pasional” which screened at several festivals and ultimately won a Silver Remi Award at Worldfest in Houston.
Throughout both high school and university, I was able to work professionally on productions, which helped foster early business ties with local industry professionals. During my time at UNT, I was fortunate to study abroad in London where I gained a global perspective on media / productions. Now, I get to base out of DFW, split time in California, and travel the United States for work.
Throughout my 20+ year career, I have been blessed to work with companies, individuals, non-profit organizations, and educational programs, each have stretched and challenged me to utilize all 2 decades of knowledge and skills I’ve amassed (thus far).
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?
The Arts are Feast or Famine. The work can be sporadic and hard to acquire, but other times plentiful to the point I am exhausted from juggling multiple projects back-to-back without a break. I’m sure anyone with contract and consulting experience can relate.
Each career stage has its own hardships; interestingly most of the problems I face currently are quite different from those I faced when starting out. That being said, budget and time will always be a challenge, although I have found focusing on the negative only distracts from being productive. I prefer to treat setbacks and adversity as teachable moments and opportunities to adapt rather than hindrances.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With respect to specializing, I suppose this is a unique challenge I experience in my work as I have many diverse and eclectic specialties; and while this can be immensely beneficial, it is often difficult to articulate to prospective clients a specific trade or skill set as a “Creative Director” and “Consultant”. On any given week I can be “Director” and “Music Editor” then the next “Designer,” “Choreographer,” or “Producer.” In all of these positions, clear communication, creativity, and listening are imperative in order to bring a unified vision to fruition.
Whether I’m Lighting Designer for a pilot production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera, Creative Director for award winning dance teams and choirs, Consultant for brick and mortar stores and brands, or seeing my work on National Television like America’s Got Talent, I hope my contributions have helped demonstrate to those outside of The Arts what a creative person brings to a project or business and how collaboration spurs progress forward.
We interact with Creativity on a daily basis. Whether that be in the form or Art and Media or ingenuity and manufacturing. Everything we see is the result of someone’s creative process. At this point in my career, I can appreciate both the product and the process.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I appreciate most about the Metroplex is the diversity of arts and types of artists living in DFW. It’s amazing to see what writers and dancers and designers and musicians create when they collaborate together. Cities thrive on the constant motion of artists. We all consume and are entertained by The Arts. As to what I like least? The traffic. The toll roads. The construction. The construction that disrupts the traffic. With that said, I appreciate living in a bustling metroplex where opportunities for work and entertainment can be found around every corner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gesamtcurtiswerk.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gesamtcurtiswerk/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GESAMTCURTISWERK
- Other: https://linktr.ee/gesamtcurtiswerk
Image Credits
Jerry Noel Photography
Curtis L. Harnagel
Brielle Sydow
Sharen Bradford
Melissa Dawn Keith
