Born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia, Charles E. Cullen found an early fascination with film and storytelling. At age 8, he created his first film with his father's camera. Titled "The Land Of Oz", the film was comprised of five minutes of a dummy falling off the roof of the Cullen family home. Looking to exhibit his work, Charles screened the film for his friends on the front of the kitchen refrigerator.