Open to opportunities

Drew Belz

@drewbelz

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drew belz is an executive leader, producer and creative director based out of Asheville, NC.‍

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek a role that values creativity and innovation, with opportunities for leadership and impactful storytelling.

My name is Drew Belz, and I'm looking for my next assignment.

For the last fifteen years, I’ve been running Fancy Rhino, the creative agency and production studio I started with my friends. We built brand ecosystems and Super Bowl commercials, made music videos and films we sold to Netflix. I ran our creative, strategy and production.

Over the years, we fostered a team of over fifty kindred spirits. I played executive, fundraiser, producer, writer, director, editor, latté boy. But I was most myself collaborating with my partners, kindling their energy, and forging a creative community.

We ran full-service creative – strategy, creative, design, digital, and production – with film production at our core. Clients included Disney, Participant Media, Air Jordan, Dick's Sporting Goods, SAP, Samsung, Kia, Office Depot, Organic Valley, Lodge Cast Iron, and Rockefeller Philanthropy. Our work consistently drew hundreds of thousands to millions of views on YouTube and spikes in exposure for our clients. Our favorite work was often right in our backyard of Chattanooga.

Annual revenues averaged between $1-2m. I managed 20 full-time employees at our peak, dozens of collaborators in our studio, and production crews of 50+.

Now I’m looking to be part of a larger team as an executive leader, creative director, or producer. I’m interested in marketing humane technology, games and publishing for kids, and helping nonprofits and foundations working to revitalize education systems.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

CEO, Executive Producer

Fancy Rhino

Jan 2010 - Dec 2025 (15 years 11 months)

Co-founded Fancy Rhino, a full-service creative agency with film production at its core, and transitioned from CCO to CEO. Managed a team of 20 full-time employees and dozens of collaborators, achieving average annual revenues of $1-2 million. Oversaw projects for major clients including Disney, Air Jordan, and Samsung, consistently generating millions of views and significant exposure.

Executive Leadership Operations Project Management Film & Animated Direction Creative Direction Brand Management Media Strategy Account Management

Founder, Executive Producer

Mama Bear Studios

Jan 2015 - Dec 2017 (2 years 11 months)

Established Mama Bear Studios, securing a $2 million investment fund for feature films. Led the financing and production of critically acclaimed films "Hunter Gatherer" and "Dayveon," which premiered at SXSW and Sundance. Both films were successfully sold to Netflix, demonstrating strong market and critical reception.

Film Production Fundraising Partner Development Project Management

Producer, Editor

CreateHere

Jan 2010 - Dec 2010 (11 months)

Contributed to projects at CreateHere as a Producer and Editor. Utilized production and editing skills to support various creative initiatives.

Production Editing Film Production

Busboy

Rezaz Restaurant

Jan 2008 - Dec 2008 (11 months)

Provided support to the waitstaff and ensured a clean dining environment at Rezaz Restaurant. Assisted with table setup and customer service to maintain efficient operations.

Customer Service Teamwork Table Service

Detasseler

Remington Seed Company

Jan 2004 - Dec 2004 (11 months)

Performed detasseling tasks for Remington Seed Company during the growing season. Contributed to agricultural processes and worked effectively as part of a team.

Teamwork

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Covenant College

Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy

Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, focusing on critical thinking, logic, and ethical reasoning. Developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills through in-depth study of philosophical texts and concepts.

Covenant College

Bachelor of Arts, English

Earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, enhancing skills in literary analysis, writing, and communication. Engaged with diverse literary forms and critical theories to develop a nuanced understanding of language and storytelling.

Act One Screenwriting Program

Program Completion, Screenwriting

Completed the intensive Act One Screenwriting Program in Los Angeles. Gained practical experience and theoretical knowledge in narrative structure, character development, and industry-standard script formatting.