Biography
Chris Wells has developed a global outlook through extensive travel and living overseas. During the 1990s, he spent time in Europe, immersing himself in the continent's cultures and languages. He became fluent in High German and Castilian Spanish, abilities that likely enrich his creative work by enhancing character depth and world-building.
He earned an Advanced Diploma from the Sydney Institute Film Academy, which laid the technical and narrative foundation for his filmmaking career. While this education provided essential skills, much of his expertise was gained through practical experience.
Prior to fully pursuing filmmaking, Wells held a management position at Micron Technology, a circuit board manufacturing company. This role sharpened his organizational and leadership skills, which he later applied to film production management. His move into filmmaking was a purposeful shift toward creativity, driven by determination despite limited initial industry knowledge.
Around 2013, Wells adopted a grassroots strategy to enter the film industry. Without formal connections, he established a Meetup group in Sydney that attracted 75 participants—actors, writers, and crew—who collaborated on film projects. This effort marked a pivotal moment, enabling him to build a network and produce early films.
Wells acknowledges the influence of Australian creatives associated with iconic films like Mad Max and Blade Runner. A key mentor was Lewis Fitz-Gerald, an actor and filmmaker known for his roles in Pitch Black and for mentoring Chris Hemsworth early on. Fitz-Gerald’s mentorship likely shaped Wells’ approach to performance and direction, bridging his dual roles as actor and filmmaker.
Aurora (2014): This short science fiction film stands as a notable achievement. Produced on a minimal budget with help from his Meetup group, Aurora earned Best Visual Effects and received nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Film at the Sydney Sci-Fi Film Festival. Its success demonstrates Wells’ skill in maximizing limited resources through creative and technical ingenuity.
Age of Redemption: As a producer, Wells contributed to this project, which reflects his interest in expansive, speculative storytelling focused on creating new worlds or mythologies—a recurring theme in his work.
Bloody Legends: Yara: Another project in his portfolio, this film delves into genre storytelling, blending horror and fantasy. Its title suggests mythological or cultural influences, consistent with his global perspective.
While detailed information on his recent projects after Aurora is limited publicly, Wells remains passionate about screenwriting and producing. His LinkedIn and IMDb profiles indicate ongoing activity in developing new content, often with an emphasis on international collaboration.
Wells favors genres like science fiction and fantasy, where he can explore alien worlds, unique characters, and invented languages or cultures. This preference aligns with his linguistic skills and passion for immersive narratives.
Collaboration defines his career. From founding the Meetup group to relying on mentors and peers, Wells thrives in creative communities. He views teamwork as essential for overcoming challenges such as budget constraints and for enhancing the quality of his projects.
With experience both in front of and behind the camera, Wells believes acting informs his writing and producing. He notes that understanding actors’ perspectives helps him write authentic characters and dialogue, while his filmmaking knowledge enriches his performances.
Motivated to inspire others, Wells reflects on his journey from novice to festival-recognized filmmaker. He aims to help others unlock their creative potential, a philosophy shaped by his early challenges and successes.
Fluent in High German, Castilian Spanish, and English, Wells possesses a unique advantage in crafting culturally rich stories and collaborating with international teams.
His background at Micron Technology reflects a methodical mindset that complements his artistic vision, a combination evident in Aurora’s visual effects achievements despite a limited budget.
Beyond writing and producing, Wells acts in his own and others’ projects, demonstrating versatility.
Wells embodies the indie filmmaker ethos—starting with limited resources, leveraging community support, and gaining recognition through creativity and resourcefulness. Aurora’s festival accolades highlight his capacity to exceed expectations.
His international experience distinguishes him from filmmakers with a more regional focus, positioning him for broader impact if he pursues feature-length projects or wider distribution.
His speculative, genre-driven work appeals to sci-fi and fantasy fans, though mainstream exposure may require further diversification.
