Dan Mills
Associate Producer
Stone Hut Studios
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
To start with, I helped my Mom (who was an 8th grade science teacher) teach about glaciers.
Then, after questioning HOW I wanted to teach, I dropped out of college.
Then in 2008 I set out to hike the entire Appalachian Trail.
After losing my Mom to cancer during my hike, I felt I wanted to be a teacher.
Then I got the chance to work for a video production company as an assistant.
Deciding that this was something that would allow me to pursue my passion for teaching, I dove in.
Education
High School
Traverse City West Senior High
Traverse City West Senior High
Career
Associate Producer
I specialize in capturing the natural world through time lapse photography.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Film
Environment & Nature
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
I get up, take a look at the weather forecast, and decide what aspect of the natural world I can capture with my camera, and how. Arriving at a location, I take time to simply be in the place, absorbing it with all of my senses, trying to see it as it is at that point in time. Feeling confident and trying to imagine what might happen over next 1 to 6 hours, I set up the shot.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Look for opportunities to get involved and do it for the experience alone, asking questions and making observations that help you fully understand how to do it, as if you were being counted on to pull it off all by yourself.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"If you want to be a teacher, you need to be certified and have a teaching degree. Otherwise you wont be able to be effective."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Drugs / Addiction
