Released in 2016, this dramatic film stars Martin Sheen and was Executive Produced by Terrence Malick and Sarah Green. It was written and directed by the young and talented director Julio Quintana. Jeff helped secure some of the financing for the film. In addition, he gave limited input on location decisions, some casting and notes in post.
Summary
Established Executive Producer of unscripted television. Known for developing, packaging and show-running content for the industry’s biggest Networks—including an Emmy-nominated series. Co-Founded two of Austin's most successful TV production companies
Credits
4/16 – 7/16
Co-Executive Producer (CoEP) – The Vessel
Outsider Pictures — Film (Feature-length) — New Territory Pictures Details
4/16 – 7/16
1/15 – 4/15
Executive Producer (EP) – High Profits (Season 1)
Digital — TV — Bat Bridge Entertainment
1/15 – 4/15
12/13 – 3/15
Showrunner (Executive Producer | Co-Creator) – High Profits (Season 1)
CNN — TV — Bat Bridge Entertainment Details
12/13 – 3/15
Co-Creator of the series. Produced and personally cut the sales tape. Cast the characters and gave the green light for his own company, Bat Bridge Entertainment, to move forward on the project. As Showrunner, he oversaw the story, beats, themes, tone, music, shooting style, post production and finishing. Assembled an incredible team, and leaned on their amazing talent. As the Creative Director and co-founder of Bat Bridge Entertainment, this was the flagship series--currently nominated for an Emmy Award--which launched the company
7/14 – 10/14
Co-Executive Producer (CoEP) – My 600-lb Life (Season 3)
TLC — TV — Megalomedia
7/14 – 10/14
11/13 – 4/14
Co-Executive Producer (CoEP) – Marshal Law: Texas (Season 1)
Warner horizon — TV — Jerry Bruckheimer Television Details
11/13 – 4/14
Creative direction and oversight to the production and post production of the development content, cut the sales tape personally and helped in casting the series. Co-founder and creative director for Megalomedia--one of the two partnering production companies.
7/13 – 10/13
Co-Executive Producer (CoEP) – My 600-lb Life (Season 2)
TLC — TV — Megalomedia
7/13 – 10/13
6/13 – 9/13
Co-Executive Producer (CoEP) (Co-Creator | Director) – Half-ton Killer
TLC — TV — Megalomedia Details
6/13 – 9/13
Co-Created the show. Co-Directed teams in the field pursuing the story. Oversaw the overall story, tone, execution, cut and delivery of the show. **Half Ton Killer became a featured episode on Oprah and was featured as a segment on Anderson Cooper and CNN
1/13 – 4/13
Co-Executive Producer (CoEP) (Co-Creator) – Shipping Wars (Season 3)
A&E — TV — Megalomedia Details
1/13 – 4/13
Co-created and helped cast the original series, along with co-producing and personally cutting the pitch reel. Designed and cut the show's opening title sequence. As Creative Director of a company Jeff co-founded, Megalomedia, he handled creative oversight from the company's inception until May of 2013, when he departed to to launch his new company, Bat Bridge Entertainment
Orgs
Recos
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Dan Parsons
Director of Photography (DP)
I have quite a few requests for recommendations sitting in my inbox. But this one is voluntarily…so let that sink in.
I’ve known Jeff for almost two decades, and he was the most influential person in my decision to pursue a career in film prod ...MORE... uction. And he wasn’t just influential—he put his own skills to the test as he almost singlehandedly launched my career by writing a short biographical film that landed me in the finals for Project Greenlight. When I approached Jeff about writing the film for me, he asked me one question: “Tell me something about you that is true, but that might seem a little strange to others.” Without hesitation I told him, “I love to mow my lawn.” Within 24 hours Jeff emailed me a screenplay for the film that not only played a role in my becoming a finalist in Project Greenlight but also went on to win awards in several festivals including “Audience Favorite.” I can’t say enough about Jeff’s ability to tell a moving story through his writing.
But writing is just the beginning with Jeff. There are so many areas I can speak to regarding his experience, skills and, most of all, talent.
At the heart of what drives Jeff's process is storytelling in its purest form. Whether producing or directing a particular show I am shooting, his vision is never reduced to a mere "This is what I want to *see*." With Jeff, it is about what he "wants to *say*"--for him, visuals speak beyond words. That approach could not be more liberating and inspiring for me as a cinematographer. Not only do I get to bring something to the party, I get to exercise my "A game" every time. From my perspective, this level of collaboration from pre-production through post is why Jeff's success in Producing, Directing, and Show Running is among the highest in the business.
A few weeks ago I was talking with Jeff, and I told him that if I were hiring for speed, I would never hire him as an editor. But I quickly followed that by telling him that I didn't know a single editor better than him.. Not one. It’s not just his understanding of the cadence and power of a single frame, it’s also his deep understanding and appreciation of sequence, and of sound design, mixing, and music to the overall telling of a story. Because, for Jeff, it’s always going to come back to just that: storytelling.
I’ve known Jeff for almost two decades, and he was the most influential person in my decision to pursue a career in film prod ...MORE... uction. And he wasn’t just influential—he put his own skills to the test as he almost singlehandedly launched my career by writing a short biographical film that landed me in the finals for Project Greenlight. When I approached Jeff about writing the film for me, he asked me one question: “Tell me something about you that is true, but that might seem a little strange to others.” Without hesitation I told him, “I love to mow my lawn.” Within 24 hours Jeff emailed me a screenplay for the film that not only played a role in my becoming a finalist in Project Greenlight but also went on to win awards in several festivals including “Audience Favorite.” I can’t say enough about Jeff’s ability to tell a moving story through his writing.
But writing is just the beginning with Jeff. There are so many areas I can speak to regarding his experience, skills and, most of all, talent.
At the heart of what drives Jeff's process is storytelling in its purest form. Whether producing or directing a particular show I am shooting, his vision is never reduced to a mere "This is what I want to *see*." With Jeff, it is about what he "wants to *say*"--for him, visuals speak beyond words. That approach could not be more liberating and inspiring for me as a cinematographer. Not only do I get to bring something to the party, I get to exercise my "A game" every time. From my perspective, this level of collaboration from pre-production through post is why Jeff's success in Producing, Directing, and Show Running is among the highest in the business.
A few weeks ago I was talking with Jeff, and I told him that if I were hiring for speed, I would never hire him as an editor. But I quickly followed that by telling him that I didn't know a single editor better than him.. Not one. It’s not just his understanding of the cadence and power of a single frame, it’s also his deep understanding and appreciation of sequence, and of sound design, mixing, and music to the overall telling of a story. Because, for Jeff, it’s always going to come back to just that: storytelling.
- Dan was Cinematographer and Jeff was Executive Producer on Numerous
Ian Prikryl
Editor
Jeff Keels served as Executive Producer on so many shows I edited. I loved working with him, and I hope our paths cross in the future.
Jeff knows how to keep crews on point to get the content needed to tell a story, and he knows how to keep a post- ...MORE... production crew motivated when the edit deadline is tight. He's a friendly, warm person who is a joy to work with. He also has hidden talents like being a highly skilled editor that cut some of the best sizzle reels I've ever seen.
Jeff knows how to keep crews on point to get the content needed to tell a story, and he knows how to keep a post- ...MORE... production crew motivated when the edit deadline is tight. He's a friendly, warm person who is a joy to work with. He also has hidden talents like being a highly skilled editor that cut some of the best sizzle reels I've ever seen.
- Ian was editor, senior editor, story producer and Jeff was Executive Producer on High Profits, Shipping Wars, Smokejumpers, Quints by Surprise, M
I first met Jeff Keels in the mid 1990s here at Baylor University where I teach in the Film & Digital Media Department. At the time he was working for a group called Cru as the coordinator for Cru’s activities at Baylor. Since this work was with st ...MORE...
udents, he spent a lot of time on campus and wandered into our building one day. As an RTF alumnus from UT-Austin, and with his background in radio, he was curious about what Baylor’s radio, television, and film program was like. Once we began the conversation about media, it continued over the course of the next few years.
Although he was a “radio guy,” he was intensely interested in film documentaries and how he might transition into producing and directing them. We had many conversations on this topic, so about ten years later when he co-founded Megalomedia in Austin I was not at all surprised. I visited Megalomedia in its very earliest days and assisted with their first few productions (I am credited as a producer, co-producer, or associate producer depending on which “Half Ton” show it is.). I also introduced Jeff to my network contacts, and this led to Megalomedia’s first sale in the U.S. market (to TLC).
All of this is to say that I know Jeff very well, and from all I know about him I can enthusiastically recommend him. He obviously brings a wealth of media experience to the table. I cannot think of anyone more qualified to direct or produce reality television or documentaries. Up until the time he left Megalomedia, every single one of their productions was created, pitched, and sold by him. And then after Megalomedia, there is “High Profits” for CNN, which obviously is superb.
If you need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Although he was a “radio guy,” he was intensely interested in film documentaries and how he might transition into producing and directing them. We had many conversations on this topic, so about ten years later when he co-founded Megalomedia in Austin I was not at all surprised. I visited Megalomedia in its very earliest days and assisted with their first few productions (I am credited as a producer, co-producer, or associate producer depending on which “Half Ton” show it is.). I also introduced Jeff to my network contacts, and this led to Megalomedia’s first sale in the U.S. market (to TLC).
All of this is to say that I know Jeff very well, and from all I know about him I can enthusiastically recommend him. He obviously brings a wealth of media experience to the table. I cannot think of anyone more qualified to direct or produce reality television or documentaries. Up until the time he left Megalomedia, every single one of their productions was created, pitched, and sold by him. And then after Megalomedia, there is “High Profits” for CNN, which obviously is superb.
If you need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.
- Michael was Producer and Jeff was Director on Half Ton Mom, Half Ton Dad, and Half Ton Teen
Education
Class of '91
The University of Texas at Austin
BA Journalism/Journalism, Communications, Engineering
Skills
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