About

Brett Hays

Brett Hays is an accomplished film and television producer who is an active member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) as a Unit Production Manager and 2nd Unit Director. Brett prides himself in maintaining a fine balance between the business and the creative aspects of each project. He works closely with producers and filmmakers to ensure their projects are financially and logistically sound while fostering their creative integrity.

Brett's dedication to creating high-quality films that both entertain and inspire is evident in his impressive body of work. He has collaborated with some of the biggest studios in Hollywood and continues to be a respected figure in the film industry. Throughout his career, he has produced a wide range of films and television shows and has established ongoing relationships working for Disney (Hulu’s “Deli Boys”, Disney Channel’s TV Series “Saturdays”, Freeform's "The Thing About Harry" and Disney Channel's "Christmas Again"), Netflix (“Mea Culpa” and “Beauty in Black” written/directed by Tyler Perry, “The Killer” directed by David Fincher, "Thunder Force", and “The Last Laugh”), Viacom/CBS ("4400"), A24 ("Slice"), IFC Films ("An Acceptable Loss" starring Jamie Lee Curtis), Shudder (“Brooklyn 45” and “Revealer”), MarVista Entertainment ("Holiday Heist", "Friend Request", “Christmas is Canceled” & "Happily Never After") as well as with Dark Sky Films ("Girl on the Third Floor" and "Broadcast Signal Intrusion").

Brett founded Shatterglass Studios in 2006 with Luke Boyce and company's exceptional work was recognized in 2012 when they received the Small Business of the Year award from the Chamber of Commerce. A year later, Shatterglass was awarded a regional Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for their documentary about the 2013 Roger Ebert Film Festival. The studio (and its sister company, Shatterglass Films) has gone on to produce numerous independent films including “Revealer” for Shudder and Luke Boyce is currently show running the company’s first television series, “Revival”, for SyFy and Peacock.

In 2023, Brett founded FLYOVER FILM STUDIOS with other local producers. The studio aims to revolutionize the filmmaking, workforce, and entertainment industry in Central Illinois. The company has 20,000 USF of production offices and 100,000 USF of support spaces and plans to establish state-of-the-art sound stages and production facilities at the decommissioned Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. By creating a hub for film, television, commercial and live production, FLYOVER FILM STUDIOS seeks to provide unparalleled resources, support, and opportunities in the heart of the Midwest.​

Shatterglass and Flyover have been holding tuition-free Workforce Training Classes and hands-on film production exercises designed to equip trainees with essential knowledge and entry-level experience for jobs on Illinois Television and Film productions in East Central Illinois. The program was supported in part through funding from the Illinois Film Office via the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

Brett was also the co-founder of the CU Film Society, a 501c3 that is known for their Pens to Lens K-12 screenwriting competition & film festival that has produced over 100 short films written by K-12 students and produced by local filmmakers, which ran for seven consecutive years. The program provided K-12 students an opportunity to participate in the local filmmaking community by writing original screenplays for short films that were produced by local filmmakers. Over the seven-year period, more than a thousand scripts were submitted, and over one hundred short films were produced. The final films premiered theatrically each year at a red-carpet gala.

Brett has a wealth of experience in various aspects of the film industry. He has spent years working in development, helping to bring new and exciting projects to life. His expertise in pre-production ensures that every detail is carefully planned and accounted for, while his knowledge of on-set protocol helps to ensure that everything runs smoothly during filming. Brett was recently asked by a studio to help build two new sound stages in Chicago for a TV show and was able to do so successfully.

Brett is also highly skilled in management and leadership. He is adept at managing budgets and ensuring that accounting and finances are carefully managed throughout the production process. His experience with cash flow and filming tax incentives makes him a valuable asset to any production.

In addition, Brett is well-versed in contract negotiation and union regulations. He is able to navigate these often complex areas with ease, ensuring that everyone involved in the project is treated fairly and with respect. Finally, Brett is knowledgeable and skilled in securing company grants and film tax incentives, both domestically and internationally. This expertise allows him to help productions maximize their financial resources and bring their creative visions to life on the big screen.

In short, Brett Hays is a confident and talented film producer who has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His passion for storytelling and his ability to bring great stories to life on the big screen have earned him a loyal crew and a well-deserved reputation as one of the midwest’s most dependable producers.

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