Independent media · Storytelling · Publishing
Independent reporting, original films, real conversations, books, and family stories.
Commission a film or interview for your business, organization or family. One project or a continuing series.
Created in Lake County, Illinois.
Told wherever the story takes us.
Mike Pope Founder | Writer | Interviewer | Producer
The Pope Studios Holiday Collection · 2026
Christmas memories, familiar voices, and stories that become family traditions.
Explore the holiday collection
A family film, made for you
A grandparent’s Christmas memories. A family tradition. A loved one reading a meaningful story, in their own voice.
Mike handles the conversation, filming, sound and editing. A holiday extension of Sit & Visit.
Ask about a Christmas filmAvailability, scope, delivery and fees agreed before booking. Photo shows Mike’s style, not a completed holiday commission.
A forthcoming hardcover
One complete story for each night, December 1 through December 25. Written by Mike Pope for a new family reading tradition.
Currently in editorial and production development.
Follow book updates — freePublication and ordering details will be announced when confirmed.
Real people. Real places. Original work.
Walk into a place. Hear someone’s story. See the world through another person’s eyes.
Explore the full portfolio ↗The Last House on Carvis
A 4K walkthrough of the detail, atmosphere and characters inside a neighborhood haunt in Lake Villa, Illinois.
Independent on-location visit · not a paid commission
Watch on YouTubeThe Last House on Carvis · Guest reactions
On-location conversations with visitors as they leave the attraction. The experience, told by the people who were there.
Independent visitor interviews · not a paid commission
Watch on YouTubeWhispering Shadows Estate
An invited family visit to a haunt in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, told through the experience of Mike and his children.
Invited family visit · not represented as a paid commission
Watch on YouTubeRichardson Adventure Farm
A family visit that shows an attraction through the experience of the people exploring it.
Mike’s own family visit · not a paid commission
Watch on YouTubeTimberwoods Park · Lincoln’s tour
Lincoln leads a tour of Timberwoods Park in his own words. A child’s point of view becomes the story.
Mike’s own family production · not a park-district commission
Watch on YouTubeWoodland · Public meeting report
Public meeting coverage, recorded speakers and Mike’s observations from a Woodland District 50 board meeting.
The Pope Report · independent journalism, not commissioned coverage
Watch on YouTubeThese are original productions, independent visits, family films and journalism. They are not presented as paid client commissions.
Commission a story
Films and interviews for businesses, organizations and families. Commission one project, plan seasonal coverage or build a continuing series.
Discuss your project ↗Personal conversations, family stories and legacy interviews, preserved through film.
We plan the conversation, film in a comfortable setting and shape it into an edited family film. Private delivery and any public use are agreed separately.
Explore family memory films ↗Introduce a business, share a community story or explore an idea through a thoughtful interview.
Research, useful questions, an attentive interviewer and an edit that gives the conversation a clear beginning, middle and end.
Discuss an interview ↗A finished film for your website, social channels, event or private collection.
Filming, narration, on-camera coaching and editing, with the audience, formats, review process and use agreed before production.
Plan a production ↗Have more than one story to tell? Plan a monthly series, seasonal features or returning event coverage. Build familiarity with your people and audience, then schedule the next film together.
Each written scope sets the story plan, filming visits, finished videos, review process, delivery dates, usage rights and fees.
Discuss continuing work ↗
The person behind the questions
Founder | Writer | Interviewer | Producer
Author, former teacher and principal, and father of three. Mike brings curiosity, research and an easy conversation to stories about people and the systems around them.
Independent reporting & original commentary
Education, public accountability and the questions worth following. Documents, interviews, field reporting and original analysis—from local systems to issues with a wider reach.
Latest from Mike Pope · October 31, 2026
Mike Pope reflects on Maroa's familiar faces, face-to-face conversations and everyday acts of belonging before ordinary life required another login.
Maroa Stories
Latest education column · October 30, 2026 · WE'VE MADE EVERYTHING EASIER. FOR WHO? ↗
Commissioned films and independent journalism are separate. Hiring Pope Studios does not purchase coverage, favorable reporting or access to confidential sources. Support the independent work ↗
Publishing & original stories
Small-town memories. Ideas about schools and families. Stories for children. Original writing with a human point of view.
Browse the complete book catalog ↗Latest Maroa Story · October 31, 2026
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Free updates: The Sunday Disagreement, Pope Report investigations, new videos, and occasional announcements—including books and news of the Christmas collection.
Have a project in mind?
A business film, an interview, a family story or a continuing series. Tell us what you’d like to make, who it’s for and where you are.
Contact / Hire Pope Studios ↗mpope3033@gmail.comAsk about holiday storytelling ↗
