The Hidden Tiger
A global look at the tiger trade and the laws behind it.
Watch on YouTubeProducer + Cinematographer · Knoxville, TN · Working everywhere
Studio craft. Without the studio.
We're a team of career filmmakers who work like a studio. Producer-director Michael Samstag brings 25+ years making films for Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery and MTV. Cinematographer Dave McCauley brings thousands of hours shooting national broadcast TV, where there is no take two. Together we shoot, edit, color and animate for brands, agencies and nonprofits.
REC
01:00:00:00
Credits
Trusted by the studios. Built for your brand.
ProductionDVD special features, the first three Harry Potter films
ClientUniversal
ClientWarner Bros. Discovery
ClientEA Sports
ClientMTV
ClientAnimal Planet
ClientU.S. Army
Two Telly Awards
Best Film, Annapolis Film Festival
Best Film, Animal Film Fest
Best Wildlife Documentary, WCFF
Excellence in Media, DAR
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.
PRE / PROD
Production
Directing, shooting and crew for commercials, interviews and branded series, with Canon, Sony and Blackmagic camera packages.
POST
Post-production
Editing, color and sound in DaVinci Resolve, plus motion graphics built for YouTube, social and broadcast.
DOC
Impact films
Documentary storytelling for foundations and advocacy groups, through Rescue Doc Films.
AI / WORKFLOW
Faster turnarounds
AI-assisted captions, cutdowns and versioning, with a producer's judgment on every frame.
Films · Rescue Doc Films
Selected films
Award-winning documentaries on wildlife, animal welfare and veterans.
A Southern Fix
The people working to end animal overpopulation in the South.
Watch the trailer
SHARE
Veterans rebuilding their lives through the SHARE Military Initiative.
Watch the trailerClient Words · What clients and collaborators say
Films that move people to give.
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.
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.
Ep 1517 Million Views as an Out-of-Shape Hiker, with actor and stunt coordinator Jason Benjamin
Ep 14Make It Look Like an Apple Commercial (On Any Budget)
Ep 13Why AI Hasn't Replaced VFX Artists, with Flame artist Jan Klier
Partner With Us
Put your brand inside the craft.
Call Sheet Confidential is made for filmmakers, editors and creators. Partners get content built by a studio-level team, not just a mention. We work with camera, lighting, audio and software brands, creator tools, film schools and festivals.
01
Co-branded episode
A full episode built around your product in real use, with your name on the title card and in the description.
Best for launches02
Segment sponsor
A 30–60 second integrated segment, an on-screen credit, and your link in the description and pinned comment.
Best for awareness03
Production package
We shoot and edit your own demos, tutorials and case studies in the show's style.
Best for brand assets04
Series partner
Presenting credit across a season, plus Shorts cutdowns and social posts.
Best for long-term fit
Ask About Partnering
Pricing and audience numbers on request. Send your product, goal and timing, and we'll reply with episode ideas within a week.
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.
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.
Contact
Let's make something people watch.
Tell us about the project and we'll get back to you within two business days.