Fred Miller (producer)
Encyclopedia
Fred W. Miller is a media producer, teacher and consultant. Fred is married to Kathryn Buffington Miller (1967) and has one son, Browning Blake Miller (b. 1972). Miller and his wife reside in Austin, Texas.
Born in East Texas to Rupert and Era Miller (January 23, 1943), Fred was raised in Texas. His father was a minister who served several congregations in the state.
and studied Communications, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts
in 1966. Following his graduation from Baylor and marriage to Kathryn Buffington, Miller entered the Metropolitan Urban Study Program in New York City
directed by Bill Webber of East Harlem Protestant Parish. While participating in the study program, Miller also worked for WCBS NewsRadio 880
. In 1968, the Millers moved to Austin, Texas
where Miller served as an associate minister of First Baptist Church. It was there in March, 1969 that Miller met Peter, Paul and Mary
and convinced them to allow him to make a documentary
of their music and activism. That documentary, called The Song is Love, was among the first films made on Peter, Paul and Mary. The film, shot and directed by Tobe Hooper
, aired on PBS for ten years starting in Easter
1970. The Song is Love was a major fund-raising event for PBS during the seventies.
Miller then began developing curriculum for the Texas Education Agency, using role-playing games and short “trigger” films to teach Career Education. During the seventies, Miller assisted Warren Skaaren
in starting the Texas Film Commission. Miller also began developing feature films with John Heyman of World Productions.
approached Miller in 1986 to assist in completing one of Reinert’s projects, For All Mankind
. The film documents the Apollo
missions from 1968 to 1972. In 1989, For All Mankind was selected as the Audience Favorite and the Grand Jury Winner at the Sundance Film Festival
and was nominated for an Academy Award. The film participated in many major film festivals in 1989 and 1990.
In the early 1990s, Miller and a team of educators and sociologists designed a program for IBM
called “The Advancement of Women.” Miller chose Rosabeth Kanter’s classic male and female stereotypes as the basis for humorous “trigger” videos. In addition to producing and directing the five videos, called “Perceptions”, Miller traveled to many of the IBM plants facilitating two-day workshops for IBM executives.
Texas Entertainment News! was founded by Miller in 1995 to combine broadcast television and Internet streaming
. Though the show was top-rated, the lack of broadband
users in 1995 prevented its growth and it was canceled after one season.
That same year Miller received the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award from Baylor University
.
In 1999 Miller joined Lloyd Walker at Human Code, Inc., a digital-content studio that built web sites, developed computer games and created broadband programming. Human Code was eventually sold to Sapient.
In 2000, Miller produced and directed A Most Significant Journey, one of the first high definition traveling showcases presented in major cities across America. The 35-minute HD show gave a first hand look of what it was like to be a student at Baylor University in 2000.
, a top Telly
, and the Oppenheim Gold DVD Award. Miller retired from the company in 2007.
Miller, along with producers Elizabeth Avellán
and Shannon McIntosh, are currently in production on Turk Pipkin
’s Christmas novel When Angels Sing. The movie stars Harry Connick, Jr.
, Connie Britton
, Willie Nelson
, Kris Kristofferson
and Lyle Lovett
. Tim McCanlies
is the director.
Miller has several feature film projects in development. He continues to guest lecture at Baylor University
and Texas State University.
Born in East Texas to Rupert and Era Miller (January 23, 1943), Fred was raised in Texas. His father was a minister who served several congregations in the state.
Education and early career
Miller attended Baylor UniversityBaylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
and studied Communications, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1966. Following his graduation from Baylor and marriage to Kathryn Buffington, Miller entered the Metropolitan Urban Study Program in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
directed by Bill Webber of East Harlem Protestant Parish. While participating in the study program, Miller also worked for WCBS NewsRadio 880
WCBS (AM)
WCBS , often referred to as "WCBS Newsradio 880" , is a radio station in New York City. Owned by CBS Radio, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of the CBS Radio Network...
. In 1968, the Millers moved to Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
where Miller served as an associate minister of First Baptist Church. It was there in March, 1969 that Miller met Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary were an American folk-singing trio whose nearly 50-year career began with their rise to become a paradigm for 1960s folk music. The trio was composed of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers...
and convinced them to allow him to make a documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
of their music and activism. That documentary, called The Song is Love, was among the first films made on Peter, Paul and Mary. The film, shot and directed by Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper is an American film director and screenwriter, best known for his work in the horror film genre. His works include the cult classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , along with its first sequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 ; the three-time Emmy-nominated Stephen King film adaptation...
, aired on PBS for ten years starting in Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
1970. The Song is Love was a major fund-raising event for PBS during the seventies.
Miller then began developing curriculum for the Texas Education Agency, using role-playing games and short “trigger” films to teach Career Education. During the seventies, Miller assisted Warren Skaaren
Warren Skaaren
Warren Skaaren was an American screenwriter and film producer. His notable writing includes: Batman , Beetlejuice , Beverly Hills Cop 2 and Fire with Fire . He was also credited as associate producer for Top Gun , for which he wrote a draft...
in starting the Texas Film Commission. Miller also began developing feature films with John Heyman of World Productions.
Career to Date
Filmmaker Al ReinertAl Reinert
Al Reinert is an American film director, screenwriter and producer. He co-wrote the screenplays for the Ron Howard film Apollo 13 and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, but is best known for directing and producing For All Mankind, an Award-winning documentary about NASA's Apollo program.-Awards...
approached Miller in 1986 to assist in completing one of Reinert’s projects, For All Mankind
For All Mankind
For All Mankind is a 1989 documentary film documenting the Apollo missions of NASA. It was directed by Al Reinert.Music for the film was originally composed in 1983 by Brian Eno and released as an album entitled Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks...
. The film documents the Apollo
Project Apollo
The Apollo program was the spaceflight effort carried out by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration , that landed the first humans on Earth's Moon. Conceived during the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Apollo began in earnest after President John F...
missions from 1968 to 1972. In 1989, For All Mankind was selected as the Audience Favorite and the Grand Jury Winner at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
and was nominated for an Academy Award. The film participated in many major film festivals in 1989 and 1990.
In the early 1990s, Miller and a team of educators and sociologists designed a program for IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
called “The Advancement of Women.” Miller chose Rosabeth Kanter’s classic male and female stereotypes as the basis for humorous “trigger” videos. In addition to producing and directing the five videos, called “Perceptions”, Miller traveled to many of the IBM plants facilitating two-day workshops for IBM executives.
Texas Entertainment News! was founded by Miller in 1995 to combine broadcast television and Internet streaming
Streaming media
Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider.The term "presented" is used in this article in a general sense that includes audio or video playback. The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather...
. Though the show was top-rated, the lack of broadband
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
users in 1995 prevented its growth and it was canceled after one season.
That same year Miller received the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award from Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
.
In 1999 Miller joined Lloyd Walker at Human Code, Inc., a digital-content studio that built web sites, developed computer games and created broadband programming. Human Code was eventually sold to Sapient.
In 2000, Miller produced and directed A Most Significant Journey, one of the first high definition traveling showcases presented in major cities across America. The 35-minute HD show gave a first hand look of what it was like to be a student at Baylor University in 2000.
Current activities
The Comical Sense Company (now The Trevor Romain Company) was founded by Miller, Trevor Romain and Woody Englander in 2003 with the goal of promoting social and emotional fitness for elementary school children through animated programming. The Trevor Romain Show is seen on PBS. Some of the awards it has received are: Cine Golden EagleCINE
CINE is a consortium formulated to depict American life and thought realistically for a global audience. CINE recognizes and fosters the highest quality of non-theatrical film and video production through its semi-annual film competitions....
, a top Telly
Telly Awards
The Telly Award is an award presented by the namesake, New York City-based organization. The stated purpose of the award is to "honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web." The...
, and the Oppenheim Gold DVD Award. Miller retired from the company in 2007.
Miller, along with producers Elizabeth Avellán
Elizabeth Avellan
- Life and career :Avellán was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Her grandfather, Gonzalo Veloz Mancera, created the first privately-owned Venezuelan television station, Televisa...
and Shannon McIntosh, are currently in production on Turk Pipkin
Turk Pipkin
Turk Pipkin is the co-founder of The Nobelity Project, an education and action non-profit which seeks to find solutions to many pressing global problems, and which advocates for basic rights for children everywhere...
’s Christmas novel When Angels Sing. The movie stars Harry Connick, Jr.
Harry Connick, Jr.
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
, Connie Britton
Connie Britton
Connie Britton is an American actress. She is best known for the roles of Nikki Faber on Spin City and on Friday Night Lights as Tami Taylor. Her most notable films are Friday Night Lights and A Nightmare on Elm Street...
, Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
and Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Pearce Lovett is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Active since 1980, he has recorded thirteen albums and released 21 singles to date, including his highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Cowboy Man"...
. Tim McCanlies
Tim McCanlies
Tim McCanlies is a film director and screenwriter. He has attracted attention for his work writing and directing Secondhand Lions, and wrote the screenplays for The Iron Giant and Dennis the Menace Strikes Again....
is the director.
Miller has several feature film projects in development. He continues to guest lecture at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
and Texas State University.