Today we’d like to introduce you to George Ansara.
Hi George, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my career at the age of 22 in March of 2013. My first jobs were making promotional videos for MMA fighters, which led to regular work with different athletes. After establishing a reputation, I went on to film concerts, fashion shows, live event, engagements, and much more. I have also helped produce films that have been distributed both nationally and internationally (“An Intrusion”, “Cemetery Stories”). I am also an executive producer and editor on a short film called “Funtime”, which was featured in the Sundance Film Initiative for Detroit in 2020. In December of 2024 I received the keys to my new studio, and In May of 2025, Vault Studio officially opened to the public. Aside from offering my traditional services such as headshots, commercials, and so forth, I also wanted to create a space for artists to flourish and thrive while bringing a sense of community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some days are smoother than others, but my biggest struggle was when I first opened trying to drum up business and give my studio exposure so people are aware of it. The competitive nature of filmmaking and/or commercial advertising is also a constant struggle. After one year of being open, things are improving and becoming smoother.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Before beginning my career as a filmmaker, photographer, and commercial advertiser, I worked in my family’s restaurant business for most of my life. After losing my love for the restaurant industry I switched career paths, and I do not regret it. My specialties are photography of all types (headshots, family pictures, glamour, etc), film production management, creative consultation, and financial advice just to name a few. I’m known as a recognizable figure in the Michigan film scene and I have one of the most attractive studios in the Metro-Detroit area, which is something I am very proud of. I’m also proud to be credited as an Associate Producer on the same film as Billy Boyd (Pippin from “Lord of the Rings”) after helping fund his role for the film “An Intrusion”. Another thing I’m proud of is having my film “Funtime” showcased at the Sundance Film Initiative in 2020. While living in Chicago between 2015-2020, my film footage was featured on CBS and I was published for the first time in Pho-Mo magazine, which is a Chicago-based magazine; my photo was featured on the front cover. Recently, I have been brought onto the 48 Hour Film Project as the Assistant City Producer for Detroit, which is something I take great pride in. What sets me apart is that I often times think creatively outside the box when it comes to difficult situations which has greatly helped me with contingency planning, and I actively help bolster the film community here in Michigan and encourage artists to pursue their dreams.
Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to continue building my studio’s reputation and client base while giving artists access to resources they may not have had for an affordable price. Continuing to help filmmakers and other artists is something I intend to do for as long as possible. Any big changes down the line would probably be certain improvements to my studio along with creating feature films which I plan to distribute.
Pricing:
- Studio Bay rental- $80 per hour ($60 if you rent for 3+ hours)
- Audio Room rental- $60 per hour ($40 if you rent for 3+ hours)
- Editing Bay rental- $20 per hour ($10 if you rent for 3+ hours)
- Photography- ranging from $100-$500 for basic packages
- Commercials/Promo Videos- ranging from $300-$1,000 for basic packages
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vaultstudiomi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vault.studio.mi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaultentertainment91
- Other: https://www.vimeo.com/vaultentertainment
