Producer + Cinematographer + Development · Knoxville, TN
Studio craft. Without the studio.
We build YouTube channels and series for brands, agencies, networks, and nonprofits, and we still make documentaries, broadcast TV, commercials, and corporate and training films. Our team brings 25+ years with Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and MTV, thousands of hours of national broadcast TV, and original programming for Magnolia Network.
Demo reel · 61 sec
See the work.
Documentaries, true crime, marketing, signature series, and the YouTube shows we build.
Credits
Studio credits. Brand clients.
Clients
Services
What we do
One team from the first call sheet to the final export, so nothing gets lost between the shoot and the edit.
YouTube channels
Our main focus: channels that build an audience you own. We plan, shoot, cut, and package every episode and Short.
Production
Directing, shooting, and crew for documentaries, broadcast, TV commercials, and corporate and training videos, with Canon, Sony, and Blackmagic camera packages.
Post-production
Editing, color, and sound in DaVinci Resolve, plus motion graphics built for YouTube, social, and broadcast.
Faster turnarounds
AI-assisted captions, cutdowns, and versioning, with a producer’s judgment on every frame.
Client Words · What clients and collaborators say
Work that gets results.
The single most powerful fundraising tool used by Hand Up For Women are the videos produced by Rescue Doc Films. For more than 15 years, they have told the stories of transformed lives with grit, true visual impact, compassion, and celebration. We premiere each film at our fundraising gala, and our donors have responded with well over $500,000.00!
“I hired Michael to produce filmed 360 degree tours of the Harry Potter movie sets. The shoots went smoothly, and he always had solutions if there ever were problems. He worked tirelessly around the clock without complaint, and helped to keep the crew upbeat. The final footage in the special features on the DVD looked great, and drew positive attention.”
“Michael is both a very gifted and creative director but also a no-nonsense and always-in-on-budget producer (a rare combination). There were no maps—nor even so much as a muddy road—when Michael began working with the iPIX Movies 360x360 technology but that didn’t stop him from achieving both innovative aesthetic and production solutions. In short: I’ve been in the trenches many times with Michael and he always—always—comes through when it counts. And he will for you, too.”
More recommendations on LinkedIn.
New · Ep 16 · I Filmed Hogwarts in 360° Before VR Existed
The Show · New episodes on YouTube
Call Sheet Confidential
Call Sheet Confidential is the no-nonsense masterclass for career filmmakers, DPs, and editors who have moved past the unboxing phase. We are here to talk about the real, unvarnished set talk—the shared experiences of production life that every pro knows but rarely discusses on camera. From the camaraderie of long-haul set days to the unspoken language of a veteran crew, we dive into the stories that define our craft.
More from The Production Front
Sponsors and filmmakers, start here.
The Team · Producer & Director
Michael Samstag, producer and director
For 25+ years Michael has produced for studios, networks, and brands, from the Harry Potter DVD special features to award-winning wildlife documentaries. He is also the co-founder of Rescue Doc Films, which makes documentaries on wildlife, animal welfare, and veterans.
Today he pairs that craft with the newest tools in post, so clients get studio-level work on a realistic schedule. He's based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and works wherever the story is.
Director of Photography
David McCauley, cinematographer
Dave is a career owner-operator DP with thousands of hours of national broadcast TV behind the camera, where there is no take two. He shoots cinematography, photography, and aerials.
He's happiest on character-driven documentaries, historical content, and true-crime recreations, where every episode plays like a dramatic short film. He co-hosts Call Sheet Confidential.
Network Executive · Host, 3 Things Creators Can Steal
Keith Thomas, network executive
Keith is a network executive with more than 20 years in unscripted television, streaming, and digital. As Director of Content at Warner Bros. Discovery, he led original programming for Magnolia Network, and today he is co-founder of Bright Idea Media Solutions in Atlanta.
On Call Sheet Confidential he hosts 3 Things Creators Can Steal, breaking down what the biggest names in video do and how you can use it on your next project.
Contact
Let's make something people watch.
Tell us about the project and we'll get back to you within two business days.
Call or text(865) 221-7467
Send a text
Based in Knoxville. We shoot across Tennessee, including Chattanooga and Nashville, and in Atlanta, and we travel wherever the story is.