By Jessica Campbell
Central Florida Future, U. Central Florida

(UWire)--Craig Calamis always knew he was passionate about one thing: film. His passion and hard work for the industry finally paid off when he was recognized as the winner of a behind-the-scenes footage film contest hosted by ProductionHUB.com.

Calamis, a senior film production major, submitted a seven-minute video of himself and his crew working on the set of one of his past films "What Comes Around."

Calamis won a free listing on ProductionHUB.com, which is equal to $10,000 worth of exposure

"The opportunity fell into my lap to do something with it, so I dusted it off," Calamis said.

"The footage was from a little camcorder that any third party could pick up and shoot at any time."

The behind-the-scenes feature showed Calamis working with his crew. What helped him win the competition was his personality, which showed through the video when he was working with the actors and other crew members, said Katrina Priore, the marketing manager for ProductionHUB.com.

"The more candid the better," Calamis said.

Calamis won a free listing on ProductionHUB.com, which is equal to $10,000 worth of exposure, according to Priore.

"Basically, we're a Web site for people to find and be found," Priore said.

ProductionHUB.com serves as an online directory of professionals and services available in the film, television, live video and digital media production industries. The service was developed as a tool for anyone to locate production products, equipment, services and professionals.

When people search for specific talents, Calamis' profile will come up on top. He will be easier to find and more likely to have his services used, Priore said.

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"It allows me to stand out in the community," Calamis said.

Contestants were able to submit a video online at ProductionHUB.com from April 30 to July 1. Calamis was announced as the winner July 16.

Calamis beat out hundreds of videos submitted from across the country by other amateur filmmakers and even industry professionals.

"Anything Craig touches seems to be successful," said Enrico Marcellino, a sophomore cinema studies major and friend of Calamis.

Marcellino met Calamis when he starred as an actor in Calamis' films, "The Drifter" and "A Morbid Prayer."

"We've never done anything like this before," Priore said. "It's our 10-year anniversary, and we wanted to do something fun and different to celebrate. It was a unique way of getting our users involved. We are thrilled that a UCF student was a winner, beating out production professionals from across the country."

The way Calamis' video was put together allowed the viewer to see what happened behind the scenes on set and compare it to the final version of the film. Calamis said he achieved this by implementing the footage from behind the scenes, or "real life," with the final  version of the film.

"His was the epitome of what we wanted to see and what we were looking for," Priore said. "He showed the nitty-gritty of the production process. He involved the whole crew, and it seemed natural."

Grady Bishop, a stunt coordinator and second unit director, worked with Calamis on the set of Calamis' film The Drifter.

"Craig was very focused, very prepared and had a vision," Bishop said. "He knew the script and how he was going to get there."

Bishop is a member of the Directors Guild and of the Screen Actors Guild. His company, The Extreme Stunt and Driving Team, donates equipment and resources to student films at various universities.

Bishop supplied the stunt personnel, stunt equipment, camera cars and car mounts for Calamis' film The Drifter.

"Craig had a lot of energy. He listened to suggestions, but made quick, fast, correct decisions. He understood how it was to edit as he shot it," Bishop said. "He had total respect for and leadership of his crew. In return, they respected him and were devoted to him."