Today we’d like to introduce you to Edward Chalupa.
Edward, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
From as far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a video producer. It all started with the first Hi8 camera that I received on my eighth birthday where I began filming anything and everything. As time when on, I continued my passion for video production by taking up final cut and working in my high school’s broadcasting class. I took my education further by attending the University of North Texas where I studied Radio, Television, and Film. During my college years, I worked as an on-air DJ for three years while producing freelance projects for friends and colleagues.
While living in Denton, After graduating from college I continued to develop my freelance portfolio by producing live sports events and fashion promos. It was not long after until I caught my first break by getting higher by a company to produce food/beverage/lifestyle content for five regional markets here in Texas. Needless to say, that experience puts some mileage on both my camera and NLE. I’m still shocked to think about the year where I solely made about 150 videos for the publication. Fast forward to today and my priorities have shifted a bit. I’m still working on commercials and corporate videos, which are my bread and butter, but I have since shifted into producing content that resonates with me a little more personally.
Today, I am working on a series of music video along with working on a documentary that I consider to be my passion project. With what little free time I have left, I enjoy shooting film photography and the process that it brings. I find that working with an imaging medium that is not digital has allowed me breath and embrace the format’s imperfections.
I am working on – Bragging about Tex. A documentary about Bill Bragg and Big Tex (a biographical documentary about the former voice of Bill Bragg, the former voice of Big Tex).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road. As is the story with most creative people, I struggled a long time trying to figure out how to monetize my passions without losing grasp of who I am. Overall, I am very fortunate to have a solid base of family and friends to lift me up when times have been tough. That foundation has allowed me to get to where I am today.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Chalupa Productions – what should we know?
Chalupa Productions is a video production company that strives to create compelling video content for our clients. Our primary focus is on promotional media for businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. We have produced a variety of projects for local magazines, entrepreneurs, and artists, ranging from advertising and social media content to travelogues and music videos. Our privately owned collection of equipment enables us to efficiently and effectively fulfill our clients’ needs, from pre-production through post-production, utilizing the latest camera technologies and NLE systems to produce broadcast-grade video content.
It is a difficult process to build a brand in an industry where who you know can be more valued than what you know. Which is why I’m very proud of how this company has established itself in DFW’s tough media market in such a short time. I feel that what sets us apart from other companies is that we focus on finding the best specific approach to each project, producing content that is tailored to the client’s needs and resources.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are many people that have been integral to the success of Chalupa Productions. First off, I’d like to give a shoutout to my co-producer Drew Hodges. He has been there almost since the beginning and has always had the producer’s mindset throughout all of our projects. He’s had the foresight and the diligence to help carry every project to the end, and in this industry half, the battle can be finding people who are willing to show up every time and do what needs to be done to complete the production.
I’d also like to give a nod to Dak Rasheta, who helped me to hone my craft early in my career. He hired me when I was fresh out of college, and I have continually learned new elements of this business ever since. He has not only helped me become a better producer, but also a better communicator when working with others in the same field.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chalupaproductions.com
- Phone: 972-704-8570
- Email: echalupa@me.com
Image Credit:
Kate Chalupa, Drew Hodges, and Alex Kurkendall
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