The Bear

01/17/2025

Superstar shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr, gets the W after every game. And filming this spot felt like getting the W at the game of life, combining Ben's love of documentary and passion for baseball.

Thanks to the all-stars at McGarrah Jessee and Whataburger for knocking it out of the park and thank you to the Witt family for the gracious hospitality. Good game!

01/10/2025

Acclaimed doc director, Christopher Hunt (a recent Austin transplant) is sharing his new film at an AFS Works in Progress screening on Jan 16th at 6pm and Ben is moderating the audience feedback discussion. If you're in Austin, come enjoy this beautiful portrait of an artist and help Christopher finish the movie strong.

LIFE’S BALLET is an intimate documentary that captures the profound legacy of Jo Rowan, a celebrated dance instructor who shaped a world-class program and inspired generations of dancers. Through archival footage, personal interviews, and vérité-style moments in her home, the film paints a nuanced portrait of a teacher grappling with the emotional transition into retirement. As Jo faces life beyond the studio, the film explores her enduring influence and the deep connection between educators and the lives they transform, offering a poignant reflection on purpose, mentorship, and the next chapter of life.

https://loom.ly/Mu5FgeQ

January 16 at 6 PM | Austin Public | Free for AFS MAKE members and above

01/08/2025

Excited to share the new stop-motion music video for "Sleep" by Rohitash Rao, from Rainbows Are Free's upcoming album Silver and Gold. Watch now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggv_S3w2ZU0

12/20/2024

‘Tis the season to remember one of our favorite spots from director Ro Rao, created for Roto-Rooter with our friends over at Bandolier.

Have yourself a happy holiday and see you in the new year!

12/17/2024

Looking for something other than the same old Christmas movies? LADbible has you covered with a list of mind-blowing documentaries to shake things up.

Ben’s Winnebago Man, starring the late, legendary Jack Rebney, made the cut—so if you’re ready for something that’ll ‘break your brain’. Be sure to check out the other movies on the list. It’s an honor to be included in a list of such classics!

https://loom.ly/3KnUNdQ

One viewer shared a list of TV shows that are all based on true events.

11/14/2024

Natalie Rhea is a director and photographer with a knack for honest, intentional storytelling inspired by real people and their adventures. With roots in both Texas and the U.K., she’s traveled the globe shooting for brands like YETI, Samsung, and Tecovas. We’re thrilled to welcome her to The Bear’s photo roster and can't wait to collaborate on beautiful still and motion work together.

10/31/2024

VAMPIRE COWGIRL

We’ve been dying to share the new music video for Tele Novella directed by Vanessa Pla! Shot entirely on 16mm film in Lockhart, Texas by our frind Taylor Camarot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxekf4ax3yg

10/25/2024

Born in India, one of our new photographers, Nitya Jain, grew up in a multi-generational home where the early morning wake up call was a cup of hot cardamom chai while sauces and spices simmered for all the meals to follow. Home was all about gathering people around a table over a shared common experience through food and stories. Her emotional connection to food and drinks infuses her work with love and attention to detail that makes her an incredible table top photographer.

We're lucky to be working with her and can't wait to see what mouth watering images she makes next!

10/07/2024

Abigail Enright got her start in photography before becoming both a motion and stills Director. And her new work for GEHA Health and Barkleyokrp shows her talent behind the camera. She combines her natural and striking portraits with elevated everyday moments that make the ordinary extraordinary. We're thrilled that we have such a talented collaborator to work with in both Film and Photography. And look for more of her work in both mediums coming soon...

10/02/2024

Behind every photo on a Texas driver’s license or ID is a story worth telling.

Meet Marsha — A remarkable Texan at the heart of Texas.gov's latest campaign from Director Paul Pryor, celebrating individuals who embody the true independent spirit of the Lone Star State.

Thank you to our friends at Door No. 3 for bringing us this standout creative!

09/25/2024

As summer winds down, take a moment to appreciate Marshall Tidrick's brilliant series, Off Season. He has been chronicling the regulars at Barton Springs, everyone's favorite swimming hole here in Austin. His pictures capture the quiet moments of contemplation, the pure relief that comes from jumping into 68 degree spring fed water and the simple joy of taking a dip with friends.

We're excited to welcome Marshall to The Bear roster and can't wait to see what magic he makes next.

09/24/2024

Congratulations to director Isaac Gale on his feature documentary Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted, which won Best Music Documentary Feature at !
The film is an electrifying ride through the wild world of legendary musicians! Join Swamp Dogg, the cult music rebel, along with the brilliant Moogstar and the legendary Guitar Shorty, as they turn a creative sanctuary in the San Fernando Valley into a nonstop party of sound and laughter.

It's a celebration of friendship and artistry, packed with jaw-dropping performances and unforgettable stories from a career that’s nothing short of legendary.

09/11/2024

Paul Pryor's latest directing work for Airbnb beautifully shines a spotlight on their crucial efforts to provide temporary housing for those displaced by disaster and conflict. Released on World Refugee Day, the campaign puts emphasis on their ongoing commitment to expand support for refugees globally.

08/23/2024

Wallice - ‘Heaven Has to Happen’

We love Vanessa Pla’s mind-bending new work for Wallice, ‘Heaven Has to Happen'. The music video was inspired by Pagliacci, Vanessa’s favorite opera. Wallice, who is proudly half Japanese, brought her unique heritage to the project, and worked with Vanessa to weave elements of Japanese folklore into this operatic and surreal story.

https://loom.ly/1088imM

Music Video · 2024 · Duration 3:36

08/21/2024

The Bear was part of the producing team behind a new short film for YETI’s series ‘YETI Presents | Doug and the Seekers' directed by our main man, James Payne.

In the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma over 1,000 miles from the ocean, Doug Jackson is building a ship — in his front yard. Not a sailor or a boat builder, Doug took on the unpredictable challenge of building an ocean liner, step by step, often guessing his way through. After years of trial and error, and the unwavering support of passionate followers online, Doug is finally ready to set sail from Oklahoma to the open ocean.

Catch the full film and see what happens when one person’s dream becomes a reality at the link in bio.

Thanks to our friends at Yeti for making the dream of telling this story become a reality!
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Produced in Association with The Bear
James Payne - Director
Bradley Beesley - Producer
Shane Greb - Producer
James Payne - Producer
Ben Steinbauer - Producer
Graham Carroll - Assoc. Producer
David McMurry - Director of Photography
Jeff Marks - Additional Cinematography
Bradley Beesley - Camera Operator
Shane Brown - Camera Operator
Graham Carroll - Camera Operator
Ian Finneran - Camera Operator
Jake Lurvey - Camera Operator
Alan Novey - Camera Operator
James Payne - Camera Operator

Jack Beesley - 1st Asst. Camera
Ian Finneran - 1st Asst. Camera

Charles Elmore - Drone pilot/operator
Todd Ruffin - Drone pilot
Greg Bollinger - Drone camera operator
Keaton Nye - Drone pilot/operator
Kyle Bell - Drone pilot/operator

Shane Brown - Still photographer

Mitch Gilliam - Production Assistant
Paul Saidi - Production Assistant
Emmajoy Smith - Production Assistant

Kelly Hallmark - Sound recordist
Royce Sharp - Sound recordist

Charlie Doyle - Young Doug Jackson Reenactment
Wardrobe - Lily Walker

James Payne - Editor
James Boger - Additional editing
Austin Reedy - Additional editing
Carolyn Yao - Assistant editor
Matt Goad - Graphic Design

Parke Gregg - Colorist

Todd Yeager - Music Supervisor
Scott Bell - Music recording producer and engineer
Todd Yeager - Post sound design and mix

Musicians - Jesse Aycock, Paul Benjamin, Aaron Boehler, Todd Hannigan,
Roger Ray, Jesse Woods, Todd Yeager

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8CPVGph2Pg

08/13/2024

Beautiful new work from Justin Wilson, a music video for Matt Hillyer’s country love song ‘If I Didn’t Have You,’ is set to screen at the Dallas International Film Festival, Sunday, August 25th in the music video block at Angelika.

Don’t miss the premiere on The Heartland Network, airing August 16th at 4:30 PM.