Riding the waves of success: The adventurous lives of filmmakers Charles Burt and Omar Parker
Like surfers catching the perfect wave, Charles Burt and Omar Parker have mastered the art of navigating the turbulent seas of the film industry. These co-founders of Egerton Crescent Productions started their journey as college freshmen with big dreams and boundless ambition. These filmmakers met in a photo lab in freshman year of college and have been producing films and content together ever since.
Today, they’ve transformed those dreams into a reality, riding waves of success that have taken them to the top of both traditional filmmaking and digital content creation.
Charles Burt and Omar Parker are some of the most successful producers on the planet under 30. They have recently had a #1 movie on Starz, and they have a travel show with millions of viewers on social media and are interested in filming an episode in South Africa. Today we take a look into what their lives, upbringings, and hobbies are and how they contribute to their success.
Where They Came From
Charles Burt and Omar Parker’s backgrounds weave together a tapestry of contrasting yet complementary experiences. Both came from a family background in Wall Street, and both had a love for movies. But their journey to the first meeting was very different.
Parker, born and raised in San Diego, CA, was accustomed to a beachside lifestyle, only venturing into the mountains for the first time at eight—a trip that left a lasting impression as he couldn’t wear flip-flops for the first time in his life. His affinity for water remains strong, reflected in his current residence on a lake in Las Colinas, TX. After attending high school in New York City and college in Bozeman, Montana, he met Burt, and together, they now run Egerton Crescent Productions from Dallas, TX.
Burt is a British-American who divides his time between the UK and the US. He drew inspiration for the company’s name from a street he frequented as a child. His passion for the outdoors is evident in his hobbies—fly-fishing, snowboarding, hiking, and skeet shooting—which he often indulges in at his family ranch and in Jackson, Wyoming. The natural landscapes of Jackson Hole ignited his love for outdoor activities, which he finds essential for clear thinking.
Burt’s fervor for cars and motorcycles is a cornerstone of his lifestyle, vividly illustrated by his annual multi-week motorcycle adventures on his Harley Davidson. His journey into motorsports began with racing dirt bikes in his youth and continued into a lifelong passion by racing both cars and bikes.
Burt has ambitious dreams of competing in prestigious events like Le Mans and Dakar and is deeply entrenched in the local car clubs and broader automotive community. His collection, a blend of contemporary and vintage vehicles, showcases his diverse interests, with the Porsche 997 currently standing out as the most frequently driven gem in his impressive lineup. Whether on the track or the open road, Charles's dedication to motorsports is both a personal passion and a central part of his identity.
Parker is the quintessential foodie, a true connoisseur with an uncanny knack for discovering the town's best eateries. His friends often joke that he collects Michelin-starred restaurants like Infinity Stones, such is his dedication to culinary excellence. Fearless in his gastronomic adventures, Parker will dive into any cuisine with enthusiasm, from humble hole-in-the-walls to luxurious fine dining establishments. He believes a nice dinner and drinks is one of the best ways to authentically connect with people in a digital world.
His culinary favorites include Arabic and Italian dishes, with a particular fondness for spicy foods. While in college, he once tackled the infamous Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin challenge alongside Charles’ brother, Harry, and they emerged victorious despite going through a gallon of milk each. Omar’s passion for food is so intense that he plans trips primarily based on dining opportunities, and his top recommendation for an unforgettable food experience is Las Vegas, where a dazzling array of exceptional meals is all conveniently within walking distance.
Burt's passion for art is deeply rooted in his upbringing, having been surrounded by his family's extensive collection of significant works. He still adds to this collection to this day, with contemporary pieces by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Shepard Fairey. Among the many art movements he admires, French Impressionism stands out as his favorite.
Burt is also an artist himself. His artistic journey included a rigorous education in analog process photography under a Guggenheim fellow at Montana State University. Burt now specializes in realism landscape photography with his go-to camera, the Leica M6, which he uses to capture striking black-and-white images.
His love for art is matched by his enthusiasm for global cultures, a passion he indulges by traveling and immersing himself in local foods, arts, and histories. Each journey yields a small piece of local folk art, which he proudly displays on a salon wall in his home.
Parker’s deep-seated love for baseball traces back to his childhood, growing up right beside the newly built Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. As a Little League player, he frequently played at second base and right field, training with his dad, who grew up a staunch New York Yankees and Reggie Jackson fan.
Today, the Texan’s loyalty is split between the Rangers and Padres, though he’s quick to support the Astros if the Rangers are out of contention. In fact, in the 2023 season, both Charles and Omar had season tickets for the Rangers’ World Series championship run. The duo celebrated the Rangers’ World Series victory alongside Chris Tucker, making the experience all the more memorable as they witnessed the team’s triumph over the Diamondbacks.
Catching the Next Wave
Burt and Parker have already had enough crazy experiences to fill a lifetime. But they aren’t done yet, the duo claims they have even bigger plans in the coming years. Their unique position as young, classically trained producers who connect with younger audiences gives them a significant advantage, allowing them to create large opportunities for themselves that help make Michelin star dining and classic car obsessions possible.
Reflecting on their journey, Parker sums it up perfectly: “We do a lot of crazy things, but they are all worth it. Even though our hobbies are wild, they help us deal with how crazy this job is. In this industry you frequently put in 50-60 hour weeks, it’s important to have a way to unwind.” With their crazy talent and fun ways to work off some steam, these producers are set to continue riding the waves of success for years to come.
This article is partnered.
