Featured Filmmaker: Greg Carter
Greg Carter | Writer / Producer / Director
Houston’s film industry has long had the scale, the stories, and the talent. What’s changing now is the visibility. As more productions turn their attention to the city, a deeper film community is coming into focus, built by filmmakers who’ve been putting in the work all along. Greg Carter is one of them.
A Houston native, Carter has built a career that moves between independent features, network projects, and branded work, with more than 30 films to his name. He's the creator and showrunner behind the award-winning Fifth Ward: The Series, developed for AMC Networks' UMC.tv, and his credits also include holiday projects for VH1 and MTV Entertainment Studios. Through his company, Nexus Entertainment, he continues to develop projects that reflect a range of voices and experiences.
But Carter's work doesn't stop at what ends up on screen. As a faculty member at the University of Houston, he's also helping shape the next generation of filmmakers coming up through the same city that shaped him. When he's not on set or in the classroom, you're just as likely to find him jogging through Hermann Park or grabbing a five-piece wing dinner at Frenchy's, peach cobbler included. The work stays local. So does the life.
We caught up with Carter to talk about his path, his work, and why Houston continues to shape the stories he tells.
How did you get your start in film?
While attending Texas A&M during my junior year, my older brother suggested I take an acting class. I was lucky to study under Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Gordone, who was a guest lecturer. Although my degree was in engineering, I knew I wanted to make movies and tell stories.
What brought you to Houston, or what's kept you here?
Mainly family. My kids and being close to my elderly dad. At 93, he's a retired pastor and still going strong. Houston is also a city where there's always something happening. It's one of the largest and most diverse cities in the country, and there's always something new to see and do.
What types of projects do you typically work on?
I've worked across feature films, television, and digital content. I'm drawn to stories that reflect real experiences and the kind of cultural diversity you see in Houston, both in front of and behind the camera.
What project stands out most in your career?
Fifth Ward: The Series stands out the most. It was a chance to tell a story that reflects Houston's multicultural identity and the idea of America as a melting pot. The crew and talent in front of the camera reflected the same diversity as the stories we were telling.
What are you working on currently?
I'm currently working on a romantic comedy about a dating app called Pick-A-Boo!. I'm also developing Season 3 of Fifth Ward for the Vyre.tv.
What's one thing people may not realize about your work?
Although I love writing, directing, and producing, I also enjoy being a teacher. I'm currently part of the faculty at the University of Houston's Valenti School of Communication, where I help lead a new graduate certificate in film and media production and leadership.
What qualities are most important in your role?
Humility. Being willing to put the desires and dreams of others before your own. Helping people learn how to tell their own stories ultimately makes you a better listener and a better filmmaker.
