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clients

 
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about

My name is John South, I am a Director of Photography and in 2007, I created Shoestring Productions. I called my company Shoestring Productions, because at that time, I owned no gear, had no money and only one client, and I thought anything I would ever create would have to be on a shoestring budget.

Lloyd Dobler (Say Anything) once said, “I am looking for my dare to be great situation.” For me, this was undeniably my dare to be great. What I lacked in money and equipment, I made up for in passion, hard work, talent and determination. Working as a Camera Operator, Audio Operator, Gaffer, Grip, Production Manager, or DIT, there was no project I couldn’t handle. My calendar started filling up as more clients knew I was a man who could wear many hats and perform each job at a high level.

By 2010, I had gained invaluable experience as an Audio Operator, but my end goal was still to be a Director of Photography. I had the amazing opportunity to work on multiple HBO 24/7s, and was twice nominated for a Sports Emmy as a Location Sound Mixer. I spent a month with the Detroit Red Wings for 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic, covered the 2013 ALCS and World Series for FOX, and was embedded with Juan Manuel Marquez for weeks leading up to his historic KO of Manny Pacquiao.

In 2015 my client roster was robust enough to justify the leap to full time Directory of Photography and Shoestring Productions has been gaining momentum ever since. I was a Director of Photography on features for the 2017 Super Bowl and had the surreal experience of shooting the game. Since 2016, I’ve been a DP for every U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and U.S. Senior Open for the USGA on FOX. In 2017, I along with my long time friend and colleague Jimmy Hall, produced, directed and shot the opening tease of the Daytona 500 (Jeff Gordon said “It gave him goosebumps” - no big deal). In the Summer of 2018, I DP’d the Duke Men’s basketball all access show, Earn Everything for Intersport, airing on ESPN. I had the opportunity to be the Director of Photography on several multi camera interviews for the Michael Jordan and 98 Chicago Bulls documentary, The Last Dance on ESPN/Netflix. Omega watches is just one of my corporate clients and I’ve produced multiple event promotional videos for them, notably at the PGA Championship working with superstars Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Olympian Michael Phelps.

I couldn’t be more proud of the work I’ve done and I have high expectations for where Shoestring Productions is headed. I’m known for my creativity, drive and work ethic within the business. With my long standing production contacts and in-house gear inventory, Shoestring Productions is positioned to provide crew, gear and logistics on productions of all types and sizes. No matter the scope or budget of your project, I know Shoestring Productions will make it great.

 

contact

Send me a message and I will contact you ASAP.