Filmmaker John Lloyd Miller, chair of Belmont’s motion pictures department, has worked in virtually every aspect of the film and TV business as a writer, director and producer. Miller served in the United States Navy after high school before attending Northeastern University in Boston where he worked as editor and director of the school’s television station. He graduated with honors and moved to California for the University of Southern California’s M.F.A. program.
Miller began directing music videos while in graduate school, and has directed hundreds in all genres, including Garth Brooks', “The Dance,” The Smithereens, "A Girl Like You,” Eazy E and NWA, "Easier Said than Dunn," The Goo Goo Dolls, "There You Are,” The Fat Boys and Chubby Checker, "The Twist," Joe Cocker, "You Are So Beautiful" and Vince Gill, “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”
Miller is a seven-time CMA nominee, a CMA Video of the Year award winner, as well as winning countless Video of the Year awards from the ACM, Billboard Magazine, Cine Golden Eagle and more.
In 1999 Miller collaborated with country music star Mark Collie to create the short film, “I Still Miss Someone,” the first film portrayal of Johnny Cash. The film won awards from festivals around the world and was the only short film shown in the Woodstock Festival's "30 Greatest Films of the Last 30 Years," alongside "Blue Velvet,” "Easy Rider," and "Pulp Fiction."
Miller has directed TV shows for HBO, VH1, FX and more. He is the founder of The AV Squad, his production company in Tennessee, and a co-creator of Beacon Bay Creative, with offices in Los Angeles, Hilton Head and Nashville.
What first inspired your interest and teaching in your subject area?
As an undergraduate at Northeastern University in Boston, I had a professor, Dr. John T. Marlier, who challenged me intellectually and in all ways. The time I had with Dr. Marlier profoundly changed what I saw as my potential and my opportunities.
After a 30+ year career in the film and television business as a director, producer and writer, I felt the pull to pay back that experience. I was fortunate to know Will Akers, the original chair and creator of the Motion Picture Department. We had attended graduate film school at the University of Southern California together. Will asked if I would assist him, along with others, in designing this new program at Belmont. After building out the plan Will asked if I was interested in joining the faculty and — inspired by my experience with Dr. Marlier — said I was.
What courses are you teaching this semester?
I have taught almost all the film and video production classes offered at Belmont during my decade here. Currently, I am teaching the Senior Film Project courses. Students — usually seniors — write, pre-produce, film, edit and mix final audio on professional quality short films. Our filmmakers have had great success with their films, winning awards nationally and internationally.
What are some highlights of leading the Motion Pictures program?
Being part of the growth of this program and seeing it blossom from a handful of students to 250, has been a highlight. Getting recognition in a relatively short period from one of the major industry magazines, Variety, as a top 20 film school is a highlight. Getting visited by graduates whom I’ve known since they were freshmen who now have exciting industry positions is always a highlight.
What are you most excited about this year?
I’m always excited to see what new and interesting films our students are cooking up. I’m also excited this coming Fall for the start of our new Major/Minor, Cinema and Television Studies. I think both as a Major and a Minor this will be of interest to a great many students. I’m also excited about our continued growth as a program. We’ve come a long way in a little more than a decade, and I’m bullish on the next decade.
Tell us about your family.
I have twins. My son is involved in the construction industry in the Southeast, and in his free time, he coaches upper-level junior hockey. My daughter has recently changed jobs. She was in law enforcement… She is now a highly sought-after tattoo artist. I’m very proud of both of them and am surprised and delighted at the careers they have chosen.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I’m a huge Nashville Predator Fan. I’m a huge Nashville SC fan. I enjoy golf, fishing, the beach and playing music. I am a terrible but enthusiastic oil painter. Making and listening to music fills the little free time I seem to have.