Chris mano Selected Film Work

a brief introduction

I’m a producer and director based near Dallas. I make documentary, institutional, and brand films with small crews, developing the story, directing interviews and shoots, and working closely with editors and specialists through delivery. Each project below identifies my contribution.

Awakening in the UK

Documentary | 4:25 opening excerpt

My role: Research, writing, direction, interviews, and cinematography

Watermark commissioned this documentary about renewed interest in faith in the United Kingdom for an audience of American church leaders. I researched the subjects, developed and wrote the story, directed the interviews and film, and served as director of photography.

The film premiered before more than 4,000 conference attendees. The full documentary was later made available to churches and has received more than 52,000 views on YouTube.

The full 25 minute version can be found HERE.

Additional collaborators:
John Mcgee – Executive Producer
Todd Proctor – Associate Producer

Maddy Mcgee – Production Manager
Jordan Thompson – Additional Camera, Edit

What you do matters
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Institutional film | 8:30

My role: RFP response, producing, camera, and editing

After a major rebrand, the museum needed a film that made the case for its work and invited people to support it and respond to contemporary genocide and Holocaust denial. At Quin Mathews Films, I submitted our proposal in response to the federal RFP, built the budget, and produced, photographed, and edited the film using interviews, archival material, and museum footage.

The project was awarded to Quin Mathews Films and completed within its approximately $78,000 budget. TycherStein Creative, led by creative director Michelle Tycher Stein, provided the creative direction.

Additional collaborators:

Michelle Tycher Stein – Creative Director

Micheal Haines – Location Sound
Quin Mathews – Co-producer

2025 Year in Review
Watermark Community Church

Campaign film | 6:51

My role: Audiovisual script, direction, interviews, and cinematography.

Working from approved campaign talking points and an established visual system, I wrote the audiovisual script for a film featuring nine organizational leaders. I directed the interviews and production, photographed portions of the film, and guided the edit. Two studio days and two location days were combined with footage gathered throughout the year and motion design.

The film served live, web, email, and social channels. Tristan Lazor and David Penuel wrote the print-campaign material; Jordan Thompson worked on camera and edit, Jeff White on camera, and TJ Smith on motion design.

Additional collaborators:
Tristan Lazor – Co-writer
David Penuel – Co-writer

Jordan Thompson – Camera, Drone Operation, Editing

Jeff White – Camera

TJ Smith – Motion Design

Quin Mathews
Legend Award Portrait

Interview and archival portrait | 4:31

My role: Interview questions, interviewing, camera, and editing.

Commissioned by the Dallas Center for Contemporary Arts, this portrait tells Quin Mathews’s story through an interview and archival footage. I developed the questions, conducted and photographed the interview, and edited his account with material from his career.

Meat | A Visual Narrative

Exhibition documentary | 2:04

My role: Producing, interviews, cinematography, and editing

I proposed a short documentary series to connect collectors with the people and places behind Jon Flaming’s paintings. For this film, I interviewed the artist and people whose Texas restaurants informed his work, filmed at the restaurants and in his studio, and shaped the edit around those encounters.

The film supported Flaming’s MEAT exhibition at David Dike Fine Art, giving the gallery a story rooted in the people behind the paintings.

What I learned with jermaine harrison

Interview-led film with illustration | 1:15

My role: Series concept, audiovisual shooting script, filming, interview direction, and creative direction

I pitched a five-film Church Leaders Conference format: one leader sharing one idea to camera, supported by illustration. I wrote the audiovisual shooting script, filmed and directed Jermaine Harrison’s interview, and led the collaboration with the illustrator and editors. The illustrator drew the graphics; editors assembled the films. The series played during conference stage resets and was shared online.

Additional collaborators:

Jordan Thompson – Illustrations & Animations
Taylor Jenkins – Camera & Editing

Acts of the spirit

Animated series opener | approximately 0:20

My role: Motion-design direction

I directed a motion designer in turning an approved series lockup into an animated opener for a roughly 40-foot stage screen. Type, architectural images, and graphic shapes resolve into the established identity. The designer created the animation; the lockup was already approved before this assignment.

Additional collaborator:
TJ Smith – Motion Designer

Building Watermark’s film production capability

Leadership case study | Film Director | 2015 – Present

When I joined Watermark as Film Director in 2015, two early-career filmmakers were already in place. I coached them, established early film-specific intake and budgeting procedures, and helped leaders assess what each request would take to produce. I continued to direct selected films while building the team’s production practice.

When projected demand approached 250 requests a year, I worked with executive leadership on an initial tiered video menu. I helped develop an iPad-based self-service studio that shifted roughly 150 recurring videos a year away from the professional film team. The team now leads approximately 75–120 productions annually. I also introduced shared post-production storage.

I build and defend the film team’s budget; our project manager handles its ongoing administration. Individual Watermark projects are planned around staff time, equipment, and freelance support. On independent commissions, I build cash budgets, schedules, and crews, often with three to five people on set. Over the years, I have hired local crews for travel shoots across the United States and filmed in the UK, Italy, and China.