About me
Chad R Homan – a Native of Visalia, CA - is a 3rd generation artist, filmmaker, instructor and 6-x plus producer of feature-length independent films –- including 3 Matt Sconce Movies – all coming out of California’s Central Valley, which is fondly referred to as “Valleywood.” His late father, Ralph J. Homan, was a renowned artist, retired Instructor and Chairman of the College of the Sequoias' Art Department in Visalia, California. His mother Sue V, majored in education and child development and recently retired from the non-profit “Heart: Pro Youth.”
Chad’s grandfather, Ralph C. Homan, ran a Warner Brothers Art Department during the 1930s – 50s, working with directors such as John Ford and Nicolas Roeg on major films such as “Moby Dick,” “Ben Hur” and “Giant.” His uncle Mel Homan was a favored set and location stage artist of Steven Spielberg's and Clint Eastwood's. Mel painted the “Jaws” shark for Steven Spielberg and worked on the majority of Spielberg’ movies since, until his untimely death.
Homan had found his passions early in his youth, always supported by his parents and family while shortly working with his uncle at Warner Brothers Studios. With his family’s encouragement, he pursued and developed many artistic disciplines.
Chad won his 1st art competition – a coloring contest – at the age of five, besting grade-school students. He went on from there, gathering a cornucopia of ribbons for his fine visual and graphic artworks. Chad also won musical awards with both his high school and college concert/marching bands. Concurrently, he auditioned for the Tulare County Symphony, and passing, was awarded a percussionist seat and played snare drum on select compositions.
Towards the end of his Junior College tenure at the College of Sequoias (COS), Chad had stacked up pages of theatrical experience – not only by waxing the boards at COS and the Ice House Theater with the Visalia Players, but also for his set design and painting along with his graphic design work on promotional material. At the time of graduation, Chad had auditioned for and been accepted into the National Shakespeare Society – along with receiving the COS Theater Department’s Graduate’s Achievement Award.
In his early twenties, Chad auditioned for and was accepted into the Warner Brothers Film Actors Workshop at the ‘Ranch’ and he headed south to Hollywood venues. There, he was personally chosen by Steven Spielberg to perform limited stunts in Spielberg's raucous comedy "1941." Watching Spielberg work, Chad felt that his talents would serve best behind the camera – he decided on directing as a career goal.
Chad continued studies at Warner Brothers and Tony Barr's Film Actors Workshop for many years after Tony left the 'Ranch.' He’s accepted acting roles occasionally to stay 'fresh.' Chad took courses and seminars from AFI, Sherwood Oaks Experimental Film College and the UCLA Ext. Program to name a few. He learned from notables such as Ralph Levy, Syd Field, Vilmos Zsigmond, his friend James Toback and others.
Chad moved back to Central California in the late 80's to temporarily help out with his sister's and brother-in-law's ranch. As though preordained, he met other indie filmmakers working in the area.
Homan’s first experience was working as a producer for Bill Clark on “Team Dragon” and writer on “Dark Harvest.” Another producer he had the fortune to work with was Dr. Renee Harmon. Studying with the Doctor, Chad felt a break-through with his acting – that his ability to perform had become par with the quality of his other filmmaking talents. It was with Dr. Harmon, that he was next offered a producership on a feature-length film. Chad began to thread through several productions like film through a projector ever since. Amassing experience in any area and many titles of filmmaking. He worked hard to become as polished as an Oscar in his filmmaking talents.
During the 90’s, Chad’s stepfather, Ken Vieira, entered filmwork with “Cinema Choppers,” a family business. Vieira owned and leased helicopters and supplied pilots to the industry. Ken flew and performed aerial stunts for several productions including: “China Beach,” "The Puppet Masters," “Under Siege,” “Short Cuts,” “Independence Day,” “Broken Arrow,” “Mars Attacks,” “Mighty Joe Young,” and others. With this, Chad gathered more experience and insight seeing the work of such revered filmmakers as Robert Altman, John Woo and Tim Burton. Alongside, Chad studied acting with Tony Barr, Renee Hartman, Alan Autry, Darrel Mapson, Jim Inch and Charlie Bonner at Autry’s Film Actors Studio.
With visual and performing arts talent, Chad has become a multiple, award-winning artist. Feeling that culture’s cardinal for sustainable society, Chad also continues to produce art and volunteers time to this cause. He’s been a chair and board member of various community organizations -- including two terms as Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Mental Health, Chairman of Art Division of the Tulare County Fair and President and CEO of the Arts Council of Tulare County (now the Arts Consortium.)
His Art Columns, Photography and PRs have been carried by various media sources including USA Life, Gannett News -- Visalia Times Delta, Tulare Advance Register -- the Valley Voice, the Fresno Bee, Television, Radio and internet venues.
Lately on stage, Chad has returned to waxing the boards at the Ice House Theater - first as 'Sir DeLissips' in "Romeo in Love," then starring as ‘Albert Soady’ with the Visalia Players in Jeff Daniels’ “Escanaba in da Moonlight” The play rose to critical acclaim and won several prestigious "Lizzy Awards" including Best Direction; Best Set and a Major Acting award for Mr. Homan.
Chad states that he’s never been on a set or location he didn’t like. He firmly believes that any film experience is a learning experience – helping him hone his craft. Today he still gathers gold from older and younger experienced luminary gurus knowing that further education's vital vis-a-vis today's exciting technological advances.
Though truest to his passion, Chad’s now an Independent “Valleywood” Filmmaker -- previously working as a producer for Bill Clark on “Team Dragon” and “Dark Harvest,” Dr. Renee Harmon developmental projects, Jeff Davis' documentary "Winner Olympics" (on Special Olympics,) SHG Films’ “Death Rattle,” Alan Autry and Greg Gray projects, along with Matt Sconce, first on “Firefall,” then as Executive Producer/Writer on “Killing Kate” and as a Producer, Crafty on Sconce’s soon to be released “Girl on the Mountain.” Previously, Chad worked as a Co-Executive Producer and actor for Ernest Serrano’s short, “Catch the ’57” (formerly “Muscle Dragger” and for Marcus Spencer (maker of the “Straight out of Oakland” Features) as an Executive Producer on, and actor in his Feature Film “State of Consciousness,” (soon to be released.) Most recent, Chad a featured role, worked as a Producer and Crafty on Darrel Mapson’s Lost Outlaw (now in distribution,) He is currently in production as a Creative Producer on two shorts: David Ajulini’s “Terror Trilogy” and WD McClain’s “Beyond the Rabbit Hole.”
For now, Homan continues writing his Western Comedy Feature, “Eureka!” for future production. He’s also volunteering his time as a member of the Fresno Filmmakers Alliance and as Founding Administrator of “Valleywood Films,” (a fb Group).
Concurently, Homan is working with Rayster Michael's on his "Death House" project of Writer/Director Philip Cable's script. The film stars Nicolas Cage and James Earl Jones with Dee Wallace, Paul Abdul, Tracee Coco, Ola Ray and other notables. We're scheduled to begin production at the first next year (2022.)
