As a retired urologic surgeon whose film experience included only appearing as an extra in two foreign films, George Ellis didn’t fit the normal description of an indie filmmaker. But as he started attending independent film festivals after his retirement, he felt he had something to offer the industry.
Less than three years later, Ellis is an award-winning filmmaker who is winning over fans as a director of his own works and a producer for work being developed by other filmmakers. His vision for Coronado Beach Productions, the company he launched in early 2023, is to leverage his skills and experience to help other creators turn their ideas into reality.
“I like helping people,” Ellis says. “Even as a retired doctor, I still spend time at a clinic that offers free treatment to patients who are uninsured or homeless. The work I do through Coronado Beach Productions is another opportunity to help. I love partnering with fresh talent on new projects that need production support. The expertise and passion I offer help others to achieve their creative goals while delivering joy to audiences worldwide.”
The journey from film extra to founder of Coronado Beach Productions
Ellis’s introduction to filmmaking occurred decades ago when he was a medical student. A friend who worked in film production invited him to appear as an extra in the French film “Le Dernier Baiser” and the Belgian film “Rue Haute.” The experience planted a seed in Ellis that bore fruit after he retired from medicine.
“I was hiking with my son in Colorado at a place called Lair o’ the Bear, which is at about 7,000 feet altitude, and thinking about how I could stay busy in retirement,” Ellis recalls. “My interest in film, which started all those years ago as an extra, came to mind, so I decided to explore how I might get involved in filmmaking.”
When Ellis got back to Florida, he began to explore independent filmmaking by attending a film festival in Winter Park. He realized the biggest hurdle independent filmmakers face — funding — wasn’t a problem for him. So he connected with a cinematographer and got to work on his first project.
“I hired a cinematographer that I found on Craigslist, and she turned out to be a really good mentor for me,” Ellis recalls. “After we made a couple of films together, she told me I should enter them in film festivals to get my name out there. I did, and the response was fantastic.”
Ellis won awards with his first two films, including the “Debut Filmmaker Award” at the Dubai International Cine Carnival. At that point, he transformed what had become a passion for filmmaking into an encore career by launching Coronado Beach Productions.
A full-fledged media company helping bring creative dreams to life
In just over two years, Coronado Beach Productions evolved from a studio focused on filmmaking to a full-fledged media company. Its team assists clients in filmmaking, book publishing, and podcast production. From its base in Florida, it helps with projects across the US, including assisting with a Los Angeles film shoot that took place on Mount Lee behind the historic Hollywood sign.
“We pride ourselves on serving our clients with a flexible process tailored to meet their unique needs,” Ellis explains. “And we have the skills and expertise to help with a wide range of projects, from social media content to large-scale film productions. We help authors get their books written and published, and help speakers launch podcasts with the potential for massive audience reach. And of course, our team of award-winning film professionals is always happy to partner with emerging filmmakers.”
The demand for Ellis’s services has increased over the years to the point where he now needs to be selective about the projects he takes on, especially when filmmakers ask him to serve as a producer. His goal as a producer is always creative partnerships, rather than just financial backing. As a result, his clients get access to the insights and expertise needed to make a project successful.
A production company focused on impactful storytelling
Impactful storytelling is the thread that connects all the work Ellis and his team do at Coronado Beach Productions. Their core mission, regardless of the medium they use, is to capture the message and get it in front of the audience.
“Technology has made it easier than ever to create media,” Ellis admits. “You can even shoot a movie on your phone these days, but getting it in front of an audience is difficult because of all the noise on social media and other digital channels. Our goal at Coronado Beach Productions is to help creators not only tell their story but also find their audience by cutting through the noise.”
