Get Reelisms Academy

Exploring our connection to storytelling.

We were just like you when we started—nervous about messing up on set, but constantly curious. Now with years of on set training under our belts and award-winning experience, we’re here to help you start your own filmmaking journey.

MEET YOUR FOUNDERS

Cofounder

Christine W Chen

Self-taught, writer/director Christine W Chen came up the ranks by doing almost every job on a film set. She started as a documentary filmmaker and transitioned to narrative storytelling in 2010. Since 2016, she has also worked as a DGA director and 1st assistant director in the industry as well as a camera operator and editor.

Her feature film, ERZULIE is currently on digital video on demand. Christine started Get Reelisms, a brand aimed at educating those interested in working on set professionally, back in 2019 when her and two other co-founders, Kellie Penna & Jason Cates, released the first edition of GET REELISMS, a picture book containing 100+ terms and tips to help you thrive on set.

Cofounder

Team Get Reelisms

Get Reelisms is a brand designed by filmmakers for aspiring filmmakers or film lovers. This is the ultimate film set guide for those wanting to get into the film, tv, motion picture industry.

In addition to our Get Reelisms book, we have now expanded into other products such as our baby board book ABCs of Filmmaking, apparel, and more! Check out our free podcast, Get Reelisms Podcast on all your podcast platforms for tips and tricks of the movie, television, and film industry!

OUR STORY

Film Set Guide By Filmmakers 

Get Reelisms was born from our shared love for filmmaking.  Every filmmaker starts somewhere -- we sure did. The first day on a film set can be scary.  We remember being yelled at for not knowing common film terms or on set protocol. 

Now, as veterans on film sets around the world, we have helped to train many people. We wanted a fun and easy to read book to help walk any one interested in films to understand the complicated film set lifestyle.

BRAND VISION

Empower Filmmakers 

Get Reelisms was born from our shared love for filmmaking.  Every filmmaker starts somewhere -- we sure did. The first day on a film set can be scary.  We remember being yelled at for not knowing common film terms or on set protocol. 

Now, as veterans on film sets around the world, we have helped to train many people. We wanted a fun and easy to read book to help walk any one interested in films to understand the complicated film set lifestyle.

OUR TEAM

Meet the team

  • KELLIE PENNA

    Illustrator
    Instagram/IMDB 


    A native Texan who moved to Austin shortly after graduating college, Kellie cut her chops in the run and gun indie scene in Austin, doing all things art. 6 or 7 years later, each project gets bigger and better. Kellie is a full time production designer in the film industry. She has been on almost every Christine Chen film.

  • CHRISTINE W CHEN

    CEO / Designer
    Instagram / IMDB / Facebook


    Christine is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is a producer, director and writer. She fell in love with filmmaking the first time she got her hands on an early addition VHS camcorder in 1993. Christine has a B.A. from Rice University as well as a MBA from the University of Texas McCombs. When she is not filming, Christine enjoys watching movies and empowering other female creators. Check our her latest feature film, Erzulie.

  • JASON CATES

    Poetry Artist
    Derelict / Vile Trash Poet


    Jason Cates is a life long Austin area artist that has worked with Moth to Flame films primarily as a set sound recordist. He is also the creator of Derelict Ink a monthly zine featuring poetry and prose. Vile Trash Poet is his branding for his sound exploration studies with synthesizers and sampling.