Pope Studios · Films, interviews & stories
Commission a business film, interview, community story or family keepsake. Start with one project, seasonal coverage or a continuing series.
The portfolio
Original productions, independent reporting and host-owned guest appearances are labeled separately. These are examples of the work, not claims of paid commissions.
9 films · All work
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 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 YouTubeMike Pope + Dr. Jana Lee
A long-form conversation about education, professional judgment, assessment and the systems surrounding teachers.
Original hosted conversation · not a commissioned client case study
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 YouTubeParents Are The Answer · Nicole Runyon
Mike joins Nicole Runyon to discuss education, technology, testing and growing independence. Published by the host.
Guest appearance · host-owned production
Watch on YouTubeTeacher Talk · John Miller
Mike’s long-form guest conversation on Teacher Talk. Published by the host.
Guest appearance · host-owned production
Watch on YouTubeHire Pope Studios
An unhurried conversation with someone you love, shaped into an edited family film.
Mike plans the questions, films in a comfortable setting, records clear sound and edits the story. The visit, finished film, private delivery and permissions are agreed before booking.
See how a family memory film works ↗Founder stories, business introductions, community conversations and documentary-style interviews.
Research, a conversation plan, an attentive interviewer and a considered edit. We agree the audience, filming location, finished length and intended use together.
Discuss your interview ↗A finished film for your website, social channels, event or private collection.
Filming, narration, on-camera coaching and editing, with a production plan and downloadable video in agreed formats. Scope, review, delivery dates, rights and fees are set before work begins.
Plan a production ↗Who is it for? What matters to the person telling it?
Agree the scope, access, schedule and permissions before filming.
Plan the edit, formats, review process and usage rights together.
Continuing storytelling partnerships
For businesses and organizations with more than one story to tell: a monthly interview series, seasonal features or returning event coverage. Build a shared understanding of your people and audience, with filming and edits planned together.
Discuss continuing work ↗Your written scope sets the subjects, frequency, filming visits, edited films and any short excerpts or captions, review rounds, delivery dates and usage rights. Fees and any renewal terms are agreed before work starts. Begin with one project or discuss a continuing schedule.
Contact / Hire Pope Studios
Tell us what you’d like to make, who it’s for, where we’d film and whether you need one project or continuing work. We’ll discuss scope, availability and a written quote.
Created in Lake County, Illinois. Travel is considered as part of each project.
Explore the Holiday Collection ↗Private educational help is nonlegal. Mike is not an attorney. Paid work does not purchase independent coverage or a promised outcome.