Fort Worth Funky

The Fort Worth Funky Project: A Journey of Passion, People, and Beautiful Stories

In the vast landscape of corporate gigs and financial narratives, there emerged a desire to tell stories differently, on our own terms, with the kind of people who inspired us. Ben Bender and I who worked at an ad agency together at the time embarked on a journey that took us flying across the country, capturing the essence of financial advisors and delving into the heart of their stories. Through this process, we discovered our loves and dislikes, always pushing each other to find something truly beautiful.

At home in Fort Worth I stumbled upon the Hip Pocket Theatre in the middle of nowhere, Texas. It was a surreal experience reminiscent of Mad Max, where avant-garde performances unfolded against the backdrop of the Texan landscape. This encounter ignited the spark that led to the birth of the Fort Worth Funky project.

With a Black Magic camera we had rented for a week and fueled by our passion to create, Ben Bender, Paul Heyduck, and I set out to capture the characters and places that defined our own Fort Worth experience. The Hip Pocket Theatre became a starting point, a unique story waiting to be told.

Our efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as the Fort Worth Funky project garnered local attention and even clinched the Best Video award at the American Advertising Awards in its inaugural year. This recognition served as a confirmation that we were on the right path.

In the end, the journey didn’t stop. We continued to seek out the vibrant souls of Fort Worth, capturing their stories and encapsulating the essence of our city. This project has evolved into a company dedicated to creating something beautiful, inspired by the diverse tapestry of characters and the philosophy that fueled our beginnings.

The Fort Worth Funky project is more than just a collection of stories; it’s a testament to the power of passion, the allure of unique individuals, and the creation of something truly beautiful against all odds. Join us on this journey, as we continue to discover and share the richness that Fort Worth has to offer.

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“Heartbeats of Fort Worth: A Creative Explosion in the Fairmont Historical District”

As a distinctive project within the Fort Worth Funky initiative, we ventured into the heart of Fort Worth’s Fairmont Historical District in 2016 to capture the pulse of a burgeoning cultural renaissance. A house party became the canvas, blending art, theatre, poetry, and music, offering a snapshot of a community on the verge of creative eruption. Through interviews with the vibrant individuals who attended, our cameras revealed the beautiful souls of Fort Worth, each sharing the stories pulsating within their hearts.

Fort Worth, at that moment, felt like it stood on the precipice of something extraordinary. The art scene, the music scene – it was all converging, and the sense of unity in everyone’s collective pursuit of something greater was palpable. This short film serves as a tribute to the captivating characters we knew and loved, telling a story that mirrors the vivacious spirit of Fort Worth during a transformative time. Join us in reliving the heartbeat of Fort Worth and the artistic explosion that defined a community coming together to create something truly remarkable.