FILM DIRECTING • TRAINING / COACHING • CORPORATE FILM • PUBLIC SPEAKING

"Dean Hyers is a promising new director who has taken a unique path. Creating his own actor's workshop/ensemble with actors and Everyman all-comers, Hyers is a seeker who has decided to study what humans are and do. Contemporary American Indie cinema's bias for acceptable codes and predictable outcomes is not for him. Dean Hyers has decided to explore the thickets of real human behavior and to make cinema from what he experiences there. I have great hopes that a unique new cinematic voice is emerging from America's heartland."

"I want you to know Dean that you have been one of the most influential people in my life. You listen to your heart, you go with your instincts, you constantly are working at staying honest with your life, you are always striving for that connection to what makes the universe tick and you love your family with no question. You are a good, good man and an incredible inspiration to me and the people that you work with. Thank you for having faith in me and being so supportive. It is people like you that give people faith in themselves to be more, to do more, to not just question but to go for it. This not only makes you an excellent human being but an excellent director... you have everything it takes."

Mickey Freeman - Director of Photography / Camera (Bill's Gun Shop, Mrs. Doubtfire, Under Seige)

"My first meeting with Dean Hyers clearly impressed upon me that here was a man with a vision, a strong sense of storytelling, and an articulate way of communicating with people. We began our dialogue regarding his HiDef feature project called Bills Gun Shop. As a cinematographer on independent feature projects I have worked with a number of first time directors. What Dean created for our director/cinematographer relationship was the solid foundation providing the respect, creative freedom, and collaborative effort to work expressively. I have worked with directors of greater experience but very few with that innate sense of collaboration, joy, and that child's sense of wonderment. I look forward in continuing our collaborative efforts."

Scott Cooper - Actor (Bill's Gun Shop, Rain, Gods And Generals)

"Having now worked on several television productions and motion pictures with varying budgets, I can say without hesitation that Dean Hyers ranks among the very best directors I've had the good fortune to work with. Among Dean's many virtues is his ability to convey exactly what a scene needs, a moment needs, with very little direction or verbiage. One note, maybe two, and the actor immediately understands what Dean's objectives are in the scene as well as how the scene is best served. Further, and most importantly from an actor's standpoint is Dean's willingness to listen to the actor and then help guide the actor where he or she needs to be. Dean fosters a relaxed atmosphere which is extremely important for all involved, from the director of photography down to the caterer, helping everyone do their best."

"Working one-on-one with Dean was an amazing experience, breaking down scenes for an audition. Dean was able to take lines that were not that great and turn them into something wonderful. He was able to see what the writer might have been thinking and spot the road-blocks so I could avoid them at the audition. I was able to go in and truly believe what I was saying. We discussed alternatives, so when I was asked by the casting director to try something new - it was easy. Dean was able to guide me to into emotions I was not comfortable with. He gave me confidence. The growth I experienced in a short time was incredible. I felt so energized and I went into my audition with more confidence than ever before. I have a new-found love of acting. Working with Dean will truly change your life."

"I was not expecting to end up where I am tonight, when I started the class. I felt over my head, not an experience that I am comfortable in accepting. You, like my father, taught me how to face challenges that were daunting to me. The class was the 'propellant' that allowed me to gain some significant personal breakthroughs in a very short time. I think that you have to feel very elated, gratified, and convinced of the rightness of this method of teaching, and the resulting explosion of growth, both personal and artistic. You can't let the difficulties of life take you off this significant path. Very few of us have the talent and vision to move others to change, and you are one of the lucky, and cursed few who have this burden/gift. My encouragement and support, respectfully, John."

"Look what you did for the nine of us in class! You were supportive, encouraging, sensitive to our needs, totally available and emotionally involved in the work that we did. Who could ask for anything more? We've all been spoiled now that we've worked with you. It's going to be hard to find a director as terrific as you are to work with."

"That group was special to me in the way ones' first kiss might be. I've taken a lot of diverse art classes recently but that was the first time in too many years that I felt part of a group that worked together without individual... almost like a family I guess .... the strong feminine presence. The participants actually cared that others did well rather than competing. The members will be in my heart for a long time I expect. It was a wonderful first experience of a group shoot – the kind of ambiance I want to aim for in my filmmaking - gotta say I'm truly grateful to you and your workshop partner Pete Machalek for that."

"I really enjoyed the class and it helped me re-learn how to trust my inner emotion. It was so refreshing being in such asafe environment. As always, you rock the house! CELIA"

Nick Vlcek - Actor: New Playground Pictures Improv Acting Workshop

"From the moment I walked in the door, I immediately felt the kind of "sacred" space that is created when love and dedication are applied to craftsmanship. This enables the foundation of trust that makes it much easier--and healthier--to let go and the explore emotional heights and depths. The workshop is more than I was hoping for!"

Dean was clearly entrenched in the community, with resources to draw from to bring a higher quality than our budget would normally allow. I have referred Dean on to other departments within my company.

Janine Rudow, Marketing Director, RSM McGladrey

Our business developers have been very successful using the Business Connection DVD to demonstrate our product as a differentiator. The film worked beautifully and has more than paid for itself.

George Brust, Marketing Director, RSM McGladrey

You wowed them when they did not expect to be wowed.

Your still the talk of the conference.

On behalf of the Communicators Forum, I would like to thank you for your marvelous session at last week's conference. You wowed them when they did not expect to be wowed. Your session was one of the most highly-rated sessions that we offered at the conference. I'm so pleased that we were able to meet the needs of our attendees and hope that you found your efforts to be amply rewarded as well.

Alan Olson, University of Minnesota Communicator's Forum