FILM IS COLLABORATIVE | EXPERIENCE IN EACH PIECE CREATES COHESION

Company Philosophy: Scale to the need of the project

After years of working with a large 200+ person production company and a small 15+ person start-up, Raelyn learned the value in relationships with both the crew and the client. Some projects need a large crew and substantial equipment, but others need a small footprint and intimate style.

So in 2012, when Raelyn started Munneke Productions, she committed to build a team that she could champion their own dreams, but also pull in when the right project fit their talents. This philosophy of scaling to the need of the client and their specific project, has created sustainability in the highs and lows of the production industry, and a team that has soared with a variety of experience and achievements.

No Role is Independent in Film

Film is a collaborative art form. Sometimes the roles like a writer, cinematographer, or editor might seem singular, but they are reliant on each other and the feedback from the producers, director, gaffer, art department, wardrobe, etc., etc., and yes, clients. That collaboration process is what makes a project reach its higher potential.

The True Multi-Hyphenate

Raelyn loves each step of the production process, working a project from the seed of an idea to shining on the screen. Her experience in each element allows her to lead her team with empathy and communication to their unique step in the production. She’s also able to step into a team and fulfill the need for that project.

Her heart and understanding for both the creative and the business of a production provides a leadership that encourages her team to see the value in their own creativity while bringing quality without breaking the bank.

Where it all began

Directing and performing a show has been in Raelyn’s nature since preschool. But the passion was nurtured at a high school production class, creating bi-weekly television programs. Those skills were honed at The University of Texas. But through an early experience with Winnercomm’s documentary department, I learned the value of a testimony caught on camera.

My first four years in the industry was fortunate to be with Winnercomm in Tulsa, OK. We produced for ESPN, Golf Channel, Outdoor Channel and more. My first day on the job, I knew the value of my education at Texas, it had prepared me to contribute and learn even more. The key lesson I took away— every one has a story and it matters. Interviewing sports stars was fun, but the greatest joy was convincing the sideline interviewees their story had value too. I could hear it over the phone— the moment they started to believe.

In Dallas, TX I worked with a start-up company called You+Media, a vision to create an online video-magazine for the city of Dallas. This was at the start of YouTube, when we still had to convince that video was a valuable medium. And TiVo’s DVR was a new technology, only us cool kids were into. As the Senior Producer, writing and creating video content, managing a team of employees and numerous freelancers, we produced over 800 videos in two years.

Moving into my own business, I packaged my experiences to leap into a new level of storytelling, fulfilling my dream of a life making films. Whether scripted or unscripted, short or feature, the stories reveal a transformation of the people within, why they do what they do, and how they get to the next step.

Film is a story’s instrument and it fuels my passion each day.

Whether the largest company in the world or the fresh start-up, I have had the privilege to direct their stories, to get to know their people, and creatively collaborate.

From large to small production, full to skeleton crews, global to college towns, each project brings a new adventure, a new puzzle, and a new message to learn and share.