Discover Top Freelancers in Rockford, Illinois, USA

Cory Coken began his career in the industry by building an extensive and impressive list of credits. Having worked on feature films like Batman Forever, Apollo 13, and Hoop Dreams (just to name a few), Coken developed a versatile background in sound. He eventually transitioned into advertising where he has created, recorded, and designed audio for a number of television and radio commercials. Working with clients like Disney, Coca-Cola and Army. In 2000, he built and created a new state of the art facility providing clients with the best studios for postproduction sound. Coken also teaches at his alma mater, Columbia College, where he instructs students on the theory and technical means behind audio for the visual medium. He is always actively involved in numerous freelance projects including live recording for Drum Corps International and tackling the sound design/mixing for independent films. Now with over 20 years experience in the industry, Cory brings his knowledge, talent, and passion for audio to his own studio, NoiseFloor LTD.

• Sound Mixer
• Music Composer
• Sound Designer

Edwin Ramirez is an Emmy award Cinematographer-Editor and Media producer who currently works as a freelance for many networks. Edwin has worked extensively in media production worldwide since the 90’s following years as TV Videographer-Editor at Univision Chicago and Network, NBC/Telemundo Chicago and Los Angeles Bureau, CNN en Español, BEIN Sports Network , TV Azteca Network, FOX Network, Chicago Tribune, VICE News and many other networks in the USA. Edwin has 5 Emmy nominations for best Videographer-Cinematographer and 1 Emmy Award for best producer 2015. His work includes ENG News, corporate videos, Commercials, Music videos, Documentaries and Short Films. His burgeoning interest in Photography has led him to develop a growing career in the world of photography. He loves traveling and his vision and passion has established himself as a recognized videographer traveling from Africa, Europe and South America shooting documentaries, news and short films.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Drone Operator
• Full-Service Live Production

Hi there. I’m a filmmaker specializing in documentary film of all sizes. My work has appeared on PBS, Time Magazine, CNN, NPR, G4, Billboard Magazine and the Huffington Post. I frequently work with the internationally acclaimed Kartemquin Films (Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters), where I've just finished producing the award-winning documentary feature, "Raising Bertie." Other items of interest: Though I don’t look it, I'm mixed race. My father is Caucasian and my mother is Jamaican/Cuban. While I certainly didn’t get a lot of my mother’s pigmentation, I carry a deep and unique understanding of race and culture. It has helped make me into a compassionate, empathetic filmmaker. Diversity has also carried into my career. Wearing different hats has helped me develop a temperament well suited for travel and the unexpected. I spent over two years living, studying, working and volunteering abroad. I’ve been shipwrecked, lost in the jungle, tear-gassed and nearly stabbed by a 13 year old. I’ve also surfed Brazil, camped in the rainforest, splashed about in a volcano and made friends with a 13 year old. You win some you lose some.

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Fixer
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Translator
• Field Producer
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant

I am a Chicago-based producer, DP, and director for TV, commercial, and video production. I've owned and operated an award-winning, full-service production company, Digital Hydra, since 2011, serving clients like Nike, Leo Burnett, Taste Made, Walgreens-Coca-Cola, ComEd, Jaegermeister, and many more. I've also worked as a DP for A-list music artists like Jennifer Hudson, Billie Eilish, Run the Jewels, and the Chance the Rapper. I have extensive experience maintaining client relationships, developing creative for shoots, planning and production management, and execution of all aspects of production and post. I've sold TV series to Warner Bros, produced full-seasons of international television, and won a number of awards at film festivals all over the world. My work in commercial and marketing has won multiple ProMAX and Midwest Emmy awards. I was listed as #7 on NewCity’s Chicago Film 50 in 2021, and named to Austin Film Festival's 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2020.

• Executive Producer
• Field Producer
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Production Company
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• Post-Production Manager
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• HD Live Operator
• Copywriter
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Senior Editor

Bilgin graduated from Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Fine Arts in 1997 with a degree as a Movie Director. The following year he returned to his native Turkey where he embarked on a journalism career when he was hired as a news coordinator with a local Turkish newspaper, Korfezde Olay, in Balikesir. A year later, he began compulsory service in the Turkish Air Force as a reserve officer. Upon completion, he returned to journalism and joined the Ihlas News Agency (IHA) in 2000. There he served as a correspondent and was handed international assignments in 30 nations. He was also a war correspondent in Iraq in 2004 and in Palestine, covering the ongoing Israeli-Palestine conflict.   Bilgin joined The Anadolu Agency (AA) in 2007, one of the world’s largest and preeminent news organizations. Initially based in AA’s headquarters office in Ankara, Turkey, he traveled to more than 30 countries while accompanying dignitaries and senior Turkish officials during their overseas missions.   He transferred to AA’s New York City office in 2011, where he has covered U.S. national news, including the Boston Marathon bombings; Moore, Oklahoma tornado; West, Texas, fertilizer plant explosion and the protests in Ferguson, Missouri. Bilgin’s pictures, videos and news reports have been published and broadcast in some of the world’s most respected and prestigious media outlets. He is continuing to his career as a freelancer.   He is father of two.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Product Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Fixer

Founded in 2019 by Rachel Pikelny, Nyla Pictures crafts compelling, nonfiction media in the form of branded content, cause-marketing videos, and original documentaries. An Emmy Award-winning filmmaker recently named to DOC NYC's "40 Under 40" List, Rachel is a sought-after producer whose work has earned accolades and sparked impact, at venues ranging from the Tribeca Film Festival to Capitol Hill. With Kartemquin Films, she produced The Trials of Muhammad Ali (Independent Lens, 2014), which won a national Emmy for Best Historical Long-Form Program, and associate produced A Good Man (American Masters, 2011). With Siskel/Jacobs Productions, she directed and produced the short film GRACE (Condé Nast Entertainment), which was digitally released by SELF in October 2018 and has garnered 150K views, and counting. Her feature documentary No Small Matter, a Gates- and Bezos-supported project about early childhood education, is helping pave new roads in digital distribution. A versatile producer/director, Rachel has created promotional content for Fortune 500 companies such as Pepsi and USAA, as well as branded videos for companies such as Manduka, in partnership with Komen. She remains active in the independent filmmaking community and co-chairs the Documentary Producers Alliance (DPA).

• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Fixer
• Production Company
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Production Coordinator / Crewing

Anh Vo is a vibrant Vietnamese cinematographer and creative director, fueling his passion for visual storytelling across diverse projects. Since earning his master's degree in Film & TV from DePaul University, he has made his mark as the cinematographer for national TV shows, commercials, and independent films showcased at international film festivals. Additionally, he has spearheaded original projects and social campaigns as a creative director for Fortune 500 global brands, with partner agencies, and athletes. With a remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between different worlds, Anh customizes his film language to perfectly suit each unique story and thrives on challenging artistic boundaries, he aims to tell stories that resonate deeply with audiences. Through his lens, Anh strives to capture the essence of emotions and create a lasting impact, leaving viewers inspired and moved.​​​​​​​

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Colorist

I was a full-time Director of Photography at video production comapny for 11 years. I recently left to pursue freelance work. At that company I shot hundreds of video productions for a variety of clients, some of which won Cannes Dolphin awards. Some of the brands I worked with; Radio Flyer, Life Fitness, Wilson, Bunn Coffee, Haworth, Brunswick to name a few. I also have extensive experience in Aerial Cinematography. I have shot from drones in the city, on the water, on a race track and across wind farms. I bring a wealth of industry experience and a laid back approach to production giving a sense of calm on set. My approach is to look and listen first. I also believe every project is a new opportunity to create something new and unique. This is why I love my job and working with other people, because good collaboration makes this possible. I own a Panasonic VariCam LT camera package and I love to travel. 

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator

Jeff Spitz is a Chicago-based Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Sundance Film Festival honoree and tenured Professor in the department of Cinema and TV Arts at Columbia College Chicago. He is the co-founder of Groundswell Educational Films, NFP, a non-profit production company that combines documentary and social impact campaigns. Jeff’s documentaries have screened and won awards at international film festivals and aired on broadcast networks such as PBS, ABC, A&E and CBC. A winner of the Illinois Governor's International Arts Exchange Award, Jeff collaborates with participants to create intimate, first-person voiced stories that engage mainstream media and help change public policies. Presented by New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and the US EPA, Jeff’s internationally acclaimed film, The Return of Navajo Boy, triggered a federal investigation into uranium poisoning and helped the Navajo tribe win the largest environmental settlement in Native American history. Groundswell projects unfold within larger strategic campaigns involving multiple audiences including schools, universities, mainstream media reporters, bloggers, community-based organizations, public policy makers, faith institutions, large non-profits and broadcasters. (See links below.) Multi-award-winning documentaries and social impact campaigns such as Food Patriots, The Robben Island Singers and The Return of Navajo Boy generate international recognition and real world results for years. An Education Consultant, Jeff provides professional development training in media arts. He guides teachers in hands-on experiences in visual storytelling with iPhones, iPads, digital video cameras and interactive learning management systems so they can develop project-based curricula in new media. In 2016 Jeff created The Doc Talk Show - an ongoing monthly series of live events featuring non-fiction filmmakers bringing their cutting edge work to new audiences in person. See http://www.thedoctalkshow.com

• Production Company
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Field Producer

I am Shaiking Mathis 28 filmmaker from the south side of Chicago I have experience in Executive producing also Video editing using fcp,adobe premiere ,development,Managing over 100 employees , creating over a hundred jobs public relations and communication with a range of online communications,including website maintenance ,e-mail and social media also experience with the entire adobe suite.Recently my responsibilities included developing,writing,directing,editing and producing Chicago Chronicles The Robert “Yummy” Sandifer Story about an 11 year old that was murdered execution style by gang members. Certain elements of the events that take place in the movie are fictional. The movie represents factual events that are particular to the Chicago area.The cast and crew of the movie come from diverse backgrounds which as the director I take pride in. My goal was to show viewers that we all have something to contribute art, I believe "vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

We are one of the country's leading providers of video services to national television networks, TV programs, agencies and corporations. Our experienced full-time staff of talented professionals provides you the creativity and knowledge that your project deserves. Our services are orchestrated by our creative team, account executives, coordinators and support staff so that you will always have the entire staff of BSDVP available to your team for all your needs. We are proud to present our clients with the highest level of production and post production services. You will see that BSDVP will always provide you with the most responsive, personalized customer service in the industry. We want you to look at the Big Shoulders' team as an extension of your team. After 15 years in business, BSDVP has become Chicago's largest independent production facility. We believe that no job is too big or too small.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Fixer
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Sound Mixer
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

I'm senior at Northwestern University, currently studying multimedia journalism. My roommates call me a 'dreamer' sometimes, and I'm not sure if its a compliment (they're all economics majors and much more practical than me), but I do think its an apt description. I get a sort of high from striking on a new and sort of wild ideas, and I'm quick to try and get others as hyped as I am. That's why I so enjoy film, it not only gives me an 'excuse' to pursue some cool ideas for the sake of art, but gives me a medium to channel that energy. I chose journalism as a major because its very essence is about learning and digging up novel and sometimes strange and weird things. I'm wide eye'd when it comes to even the immediate world around me, and after checking out your work and style, it definitely appears like you guys share some of those same sentiments. I hope you get a chance to check out my work, and I'd love to have the opportunity to be a Storyhunter. Thanks for the opportunity and time, best, Jack Foster

• Documentary DP

As a director, producer, cinematographer and editor, Kevin Shaw has created award-winning films for prestige platforms. Shaw’s latest film, Let the Little Light Shine, was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award, debuted on PBS’ award-winning series POV, and played at several film festivals and theaters around the country to stellar reception, where the Chicago Tribune lauded the film for carrying “the visceral impact of all six Rocky films and a few Creed films put together.” The film is available to stream on Apple/iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play and VUDU. Shaw’s debut documentary about Basketball Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley, The Street Stops Here, aired nationally on PBS and ESPN in 2010 to rave reviews. The following year, Shaw’s Big Ten Network short documentary on a quadriplegic trying to regain the ability to walk won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Reporting Excellence. His cinematography talents were recognized in 2015 with a National Sports Emmy for ESPN’s FIFA World Cup Show Opens and Teases. Later that year, Shaw produced a documentary about the relationship between megastar Shaquille O’Neal and his collegiate coach, Dale Brown. Shaq and Dale premiered on ESPN.  Shaw was a segment director and cinematographer on America to Me, and additional cinematographer on City So Real, from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Steve James, where they both debuted at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim and aired on Starz and Hulu respectively. Shaw also contributed as a cinematographer on James’ latest docuseries for ESPN, The Luckiest Guy in the World.

• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Executive Producer
• Field Producer

I’m a Chicago-based filmmaker with decades of experience in directing, animation, and post-production. My work spans projects big and small, from short films to long-form documentaries, mom-and-pop businesses to worldwide brands, for local artists and talented peers, winning awards along the way. My biggest passion is the age-old medium of stop-motion animation, an attention-grabbing technique that’s quirky, nostalgic, and approachable. I’m also a highly experienced video editor, and I’ve used that skill to tell stories of all kinds. I also dabble in directing, photography, sound editing, & sound mixing, a little bit of everything! Stories are at the heart of everything I do. Whether it’s slapping two shots together to communicate a message, giving an actor a note to bring out a specific emotion, or moving tiny objects one frame at a time, I use whatever skills at my disposal to stoke the imagination of whoever’s watching.

• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Senior Editor
• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Storyboard Artist
• Production Company
• Art Director

Marc began writing and directing in the late 2000s, just as internet video was coming to the fore. In 2010, he wrote "Tasty, Tasty," an internet spot for Maccabi Beer featuring Isaiah Mustafa, aka”‘the Old Spice guy,” that went viral and launched his career in commercial video. Since then he has built a vast and varied portfolio as a creative director and scriptwriter for clients such as Volkswagen, Google, PETA, and SodaStream, along with scores of user acquisition spots and in-app videos for apps and gaming companies like Playtika and Papaya Gaming. Marc has also written screenplays for television and film, including “Tehran” (Apple TV+). In 2019, Marc co-wrote the Eurovision Song Contest Television Special, which was broadcast live to 180 million people around the world and voted as the best Eurovision of the decade. His short films have been featured at IndieWire, Film School Rejects, Director’s Notes, The Huffington Post, Digg.com and Film Shortage.

• Creative Director
• Copywriter
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Copy Editor

Anne Bouleanu is a freelance journalist from Chicago. She has worked in digital media and television covering a range of topics including U.S. politics, women's rights, conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, political tensions in South America and police brutality and race relations in the United States. She covered the primaries during the 2016 U.S. presidential race, focusing on policy issues and increasing divisions among the American electorate. During her time at Al Jazeera America, Anne produced breaking news segments as well as packages on underreported global issues. Prior to this, Anne worked at Bloomberg TV focusing on global and domestic financial news. She received her Master's degree in Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies from King's College London. Anne has lived in Chicago, London, Cape Town and New York City. She is currently based in the United States.

• Field Producer
• TV News Producer
• Reporter / Journalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Copywriter
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

Medha Imam is a multimedia journalist from Chicago, Illinois, hoping to share compelling narratives from all over the world. She is an undergraduate student studying journalism and political science at Northwestern University. Currently involved with two school publications as the Editor-in-Chief of Al Bayan Magazine and a designer for North by Northwestern, journalism is her passion. She aspires to be her grandfather’s legacy by pursuing a career in writing. Besides writing, Medha serves as a broadcast reporter for Northwestern News Network and an Alumni Co-Chair for the Global Engagement Summit. Off campus, she reported on the business and technology beat on Capitol Hill for the Medill News Service, covering stories ranging from the Supreme Court case EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch to gender parity in federal IT. Her pieces have been published in USA TODAY, U.S. News & World Report, UPI.com, and Hinsdale Magazine.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Reporter / Journalist
• Mobile Journalist / Livestreamer
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

For the past decade, I have been a core member of Playground Social, a Chicago-based creative collective of directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, producers, and performers brought together by their passion for filmmaking and curating live experiences. We have produced short films, comedy sketches, music videos, original plays, and live-stream shows, one of which was voted “Best Digital Play” by the Chicago Reader in 2023. As a freelance video editor, I have worked on a variety of documentary shorts, docuseries, industrial, promotional, and educational videos. Currently, I am editing the 15-part docuseries, “Train of Thoughts”, an immersive and interactive storytelling experience that highlights stories of Bronzeville. This socially conscious project’s goal is to spark growth in neglected Chicago communities. I am a highly-driven, reliable individual who would love to be part of your team and help share your stories with the world.

• Senior Editor
• Graphic Designer
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - News
• Production Assistant
• Executive Producer
• Field Producer

Patrick Offenheiser is a filmmaker, editor and multimedia artist. Originally from Boston by way of Dhaka, Bangladesh and Lima, Peru, he graduated with a BA in Film & Electronic Arts and History from Bard College and went on to produce documentary work for non-profit organizations and television, focusing on marginalized and displaced communities, particularly in Latin America and the United States. While a Fellow at UnionDocs he worked as DP/Co-Director on Moved Every Way, a documentary featuring a volunteer-run LGBTQ church held together by the devotion of its members, exploring how individuals struggle to uphold church as a sanctuary from the harsh realities of the outside world and also as Editor on "Alphabet on Air a documentary featuring a performance art installation that takes place at a closet-sized gallery in Alphabet City, New York, that represents local, homeless and street artists. In his personal practice and work he pursues questions of memory, homeland and diaspora as well as cultural erasure and globalization. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary

With over 12 years of experience in the entertainment industry, I am a versatile & creative entrepreneur who specializes in fashion, film, and sports. I am passionate about capturing & sharing compelling stories that showcase the beauty, diversity, & emotion of life. I value collaboration, innovation & quality in my work as I strive to deliver exceptional results with every project I become involved with. I grew myself in the fashion industry as a respected set hairstylist, being represented nationally by Wilhelmina Talent after being in the industry for only 2 years. As a photographer I have done behind the scenes shooting for films, portrait shoots for actors/models/DJs & proudly as a ringside combat sport photographer. As a freelance filmmaker, I have produced and directed short films, commercials & social media content. I look forward to continuing to grow my breadth of work as my journeys continue. Travel is my next love after all things creative.

• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Full-Service Live Production
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Post-Production Manager
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary