Blue Drum Films
Our Team
Steve Saxon /Director of Photography
Austin-based cinematographer Steve Saxon has garnered numerous accolades for his innovative contributions to high-definition productions across a four decade career. He’s worked on over five continents in various film and commercial projects.
Steve’s independent feature films "The Last Passport" (2009), "Redneck Roots" (2011) and “The Urge” (2021) received nominations at various film festivals. His recent short film "Chief Tendoy", an Official Selection at the 38th BogoCine-Bogotá Films Festival, was also nominated in the Short Live Action Narrative and Cinematographer categories at the 2023 Austin Lift-Off Film Festival. His shorts “Little Package” (2021) "Gothic Truth" (2016), "Mike" (2019), "Giving Christmas" (2017), and "Prophet" (2016) have won several awards.
Since establishing his production company in 2004, Steve has applied his expertise in high-definition technology to a wide array of projects including TV series, documentaries, music videos and commercials. His satisfied clientele includes History Channel, National Geographic, HGTV, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Ally Bank, Carolinas Health Care, NASCAR, Sports Illustrated, Campbell Soup, KFC, Bojangles, US Army PSA, Snyder Lance, IBM and Oscar Meyer among others.
Steve's cinematography journey began at local television news stations and later flourished as a special projects shooter and editor with NBC News. This path led him to participate in five Olympics, five NBC Christmas Specials, three Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and even accompany Pope John Paul II on two occasions.
Steve brings this experience and expertise, along with an extensive inventory of in-house gear, to help create a seamless, turnkey production experience that meets his clients’ exacting standards.
Cesar Rodriguez /Award-winning Film Director & Screenwriter
Cesar's groundbreaking 2006 film RUIDO (Noise) earned multiple accolades, including the Innovation Award at the 30th Montreal Film Festival, and the CyberVote Award at 28th Havana Film Festival. His movie LA EXTRAÑA (She, the Strange) represented the Dominican Republic at the Canadian Film Institute's 19th Latin American Film Festival, was selected for the 31st Chicago Latino Film Festival, and competed in the 12th Bahamas International Film Festival's New Vision Category.
His short film EL FONDILLO MARAVILLOSO (Marvelous Buns) won the Award of Distinction at the Canada Short Film Festival and garnered over 20 international nominations. His documentary series INGREDIENTES NUESTROS (Our Ingredients) was an Official Selection at the 35th edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival, and various venues in the film festivals circuit of North Carolina.
Cesar's latest work, CHIEF TENDOY, is a historical short film that was an Official Selection at the 38th BogoCine-Bogotá Films Festival and nominated at the 2023 Austin Lift-Off Film Festival. Shot during the pandemic, the production adhered to strict biosafety protocols, ensuring the safety of all cast and crew members.
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Karl Wagner / Post Production
Karl Wagner is a versatile editor with over 15 years of experience in production and post-production. He started his career specializing in 3D modeling and motion graphics, which later led him to the broader world of production. Karl is highly experienced in both the organizational and technical aspects of the field. He effectively moves projects through the pipeline and into the edit room – allowing opportunities for more creative and effective cuts while matching the client’s vision. Karl relishes a challenge and blends his creativity with deep technical experience of editing workflows and post-production processes to develop stories that resonate with their audiences. Throughout his career he has worked on myriad productions ranging from documentary and full-length films, to human interest pieces and fundraising videos, to investor conferences and animated shorts. Karl consistently delivers video storytelling and messaging that clients are proud to share.