Coal Powered Filmworks

08/08/2025

08/08/2025

Fun day at the studio!

08/08/2025

17 years goes by in a flash. I opened CPF in August of 2008 with no clients and questioned my decision for a couple of years. Along the way me and some great clients, partners, and people far more creative than me have made some really good movies, talked with people who have a real impact in our lives, and traveled the world in the process. Here's a nice selection of pics. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

07/30/2025

Looking for a professional looking, medium sized work desk to use as a set piece for a video shoot this Friday. Will need to pick up tomorrow and return Friday afternoon. Happy to pay a rental fee.

05/06/2025

Spotlight on Wade Sellers, the 2025 S.C. Governor’s Award for the Arts, Artist Category Winner!

Read more about Wade over on The Hub | 🔗 bit.ly/4jYwAie

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Wade Sellers is an independent filmmaker in Columbia. He produced his first film within months after graduating from USC in media arts.

As the first media intern at the South Carolina Arts Commission, Sellers assisted with the Southeastern Media Institute where he later became an instructor. He became an in-demand lighting director and gaffer on commercials and corporate projects too and had shot three indie feature films and many shorts by the time he moved to New York City in 1999. His 35mm short film Gordon’s Ride was featured at the Independent Feature Film Market and was sold to iFilm and ShortsTV.

Sellers co-founded the non-profit Hybrid Films in 2002 which functioned as fiscal agent for multiple documentary projects for underserved filmmakers in the region. Hybrid Films’ largest accomplishment was the Beg and Grovel Film Festival, the first true independent film festival in Columbia.

As Sellers continued to produce and film independent projects for himself and other filmmakers from South Carolina to New York City, he formed Coal Powered Filmworks, his production company.

His first Southeastern Emmy Award nomination came with South Carolinians in World War 2, a project he was commissioned to direct for South Carolina ETV. After completion of that series, he continued to produce historical documentary work that took him to Japan, France, England, Germany and Austria to international acclaim. His work was broadcast through PBS and his show “Return to Normandy” served as the opening film for the 2017 Normandie International Film Festival in France.

Through his career, Sellers has focused on collaborating with local filmmakers and promoting independent filmmaking in South Carolina. In 2013 he founded the 2nd Act Film Project. As of 2024, 84 films have been created by S.C. filmmakers solely for screening at the 2nd Act Film Project.

He has supervised more than 25 interns from USC and Benedict College since 2008, lectured and taught in the media arts department of USC, and was named a distinguished alumnus from the USC School of Visual Arts and Design in 2020. He has served as the board president for The Jasper Project since 2019.

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The South Carolina Arts Awards presentation video is coming to YouTube & Facebook on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET.



[Image description: Black background with a photo of Wade Sellers, a white man with brown hair, and the GAFTA statue's outline. The text says, “Wade Sellers, Artist Winner, S.C. Governor’s Award for the Arts.”]

12/05/2024

The second time's the charm! Lee Ann and I loved working with Chris and Insider again producing this encore video of Drill Sergeant movie commentary.

Retired US Army drill sergeant Lamont Christian rates more boot camp scenes in movies and TV shows.Christian looks at US Marine Corps boot camp scenes across...

09/30/2024

We've added a Sony FX30 to our camera arsenal. A great 2nd or 3rd interview camera, especially when on the go and traveling for interviews. Will also have it for rent at columbiacameraandgrip.com.

08/16/2024

This past week marked my production company's 16th year. In total I've worked for myself for about 23 years since I graduated Media Art at USC. I was stubborn in the beginning, focused on making a career as a filmmaker in a small southern city. I did time in NYC and Wilmington, meeting mentors that still influence me today. I worked my way from Gaffer to DP to Director and Producer. I've interviewed heroes, rock stars, scoundrels, and people who change the world when they talk in public. Many personal sacrifices and years later things seemed to align. I had no business training but was smart enough to find people who did. This career has allowed me to travel the world, have conversations with brilliant humans who have made real change in the world around us, and all the while still have a love for telling a simple story- whether for a local client or a show that will be broadcast around the world. I don't take a moment of it for granted and am still stumbling into learning how to be better at what I do from the left and right sides of my brain. I never thought millions around the world would see my work, but they have. It's more than I thought possible. Thank you to all who have helped along the way!- Wade

08/09/2024

Had a great time talking with Alex Nottingham on his All-Star Dental Academy podcast. We covered tips for great interviews, how to select a production company that works for you, and more!

06/21/2024

Last day to vote for Free Times Best of! Wade is nominated for Best Filmmaker listing is under the arts section. We'd appreciate you vote! https://freetimes.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Columbia-2024/gallery/?group=486341&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2jWssDdWdlGg-d8xEzxhyfPMMXq2CWYr6U2ygcjMzaCuxMyUdKql4TdjY_aem_aDDFxBSFIAOueGCeeHJ01g

Vote now in Best of Columbia 2024!

05/29/2024

Wade is thrilled to be nominated as Best Local Filmmaker for the 5th year in a row. No matter who you vote for just keep supporting local filmmakers, musicians and creators!

Vote now in Best of Columbia 2024!

04/25/2024

Proud to have been asked to be part of this project with the ACLU of South Carolina.

South Carolina lawmakers are considering bills including H. 4624 that would ban medically necessary healthcare and restrict the daily lives of transgender youth. Today we want to share the story of one family with a trans child and the harm these laws could cause. Video of Skyler's Story: What trans...