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toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

POETRY
+
MOTION

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

We shape stories to stir curiosity, spur action, and convey our love of nature, art, and human connection.

As an award-winning creative film company, we leverage our varied experiences and skills to create campaigns, non-scripted series, and documentary films for agencies, brands, and Hollywood studios.

We can't do it alone.

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

We are a collective of fun-loving wanderers who found a home in our craft. A team of filmmakers, journalists, art directors, marketers, writers, and musicians who believe anything is possible with the right team and an open mind.

Meet the Collective

Mike Ferrell, toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Founder

Director

Producer

Writer

A confluence of past lives, dreams, and experiences led Mike here. He seeks truth and poetry in storytelling and strives to bring humanity to his work. His background in production, journalism and marketing gives him the unique ability to connect and communicate, allowing him to develop and tell impactful stories. His innate curiosity to understand the world and passion to evolve creatively, and as a human being, who’s walked many paths, embody his work as a writer and filmmaker.

Mike Ferrell

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
Nick kalisz, nicholas, toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Founder

Director

Director of Photography

Nick is inspired by the great outdoors and the raw beauty of human emotion. Growing up, his teachers encouraged him to create videos in lieu of writing because that’s how he could best express himself.

He was nominated for a Sports Emmy for his cinematography in Lindsey Vonn’s HBO Documentary and also captured the first ski descent of Mt. Lhotse, the world’s 4th highest mountain. His film LHOTSE has garnered over 4.5M views on YouTube.

Nick Kalisz

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Kelly Bernard is an award-winning (hat tip) associate creative director and designer with a passion for filmmaking. She’s worked for agencies up and down the West Coast and brings with her ad agency funk, film campaign know-how, and the unique lens of editorial storytelling. Check out some of the killer work she’s helped create for clients like ESPN, Footjoy, and Rao’s Homemade.

Art Director

Designer

Assistant Director

Kelly Bernard

Kelly, toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Anointed under the Northern Lights on the shores of Lake Superior, Ben has carved out his own journey of stewarding compelling stories while simultaneously becoming a well-rounded outdoorsmen in his pursuit of life to the fullest.

His work, while varied, succinctly bridges brand strategy and assets with humanitarian efforts.

Strategic Relationships

Camera Dept.
SAR K9 handler

Ben Lew

Ben Lew, toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Henry has 10 years of experience filming short documentaries, outdoor and lifestyle branded ads. He is always looking for a good challenge on any film project. He prefers to argue about the shot rather than actually shoot it, he’d rather be hanging out of truck with a gimbal struggling to get the shot, or stressing over losing the drone to the wind on top of mountain just to get the shot. He likes spending hours looking at lenses on eBay, filling up a BH cart he never buys and has recently found a new love in ice skating and playing chess :) His YouTube channel as amassed at least 1,700 views...

Henry Hougen

Director

Director of Photography

Henery Hougen, toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Dan is our preferred partner for post and is the Director of Operations for Unscripted Content at Cosmic Pictures in Salt Lake City, UT. Planning for post as soon as an idea is born, he creates pipelines with maximum efficiency so the filmmakers he partners with can focus on what they do best.When a project is ready for color, Dan blends art and science to get the most out of the image he's working on, constantly seeking new techniques to achieve the desired look. Dan has an MBA from the University of Utah and takes pride in creating a stellar post-production experience, providing guidance far beyond the color suite.

Colorist

Post Production Sup.

Daniel, toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Dan Olsen

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Daniel is a Commercial Director and Photographer, specializing in the outdoor industry for over 15 years. He has an exceptional ability to drive ideas from conception to realization. With a keen creative vision and a strategic mindset, he transforms concepts into tangible outcomes with remarkable efficiency and innovation. Daniel has an eye for detail and a knack for finding creative solutions. He navigates challenges with ease, ensuring smooth project execution and exceptional results. Whether troubleshooting technical issues on set or brainstorming innovative concepts to meet client objectives, Daniel approaches each problem with a proactive mindset and determination. Authenticity is another significant aspect for him. He actively immerses himself in the activities he captures, ensuring that his perspective is both genuine and compelling. Last but not least, Daniel doesn't take himself too seriously, always maintaining a sense of humility and perspective that endears him to those around him.

Commercial Director

Photographer

Daniel Milchev

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Niki is based in Brooklyn and currently works in Vevo’s original content team. She’s versed in branded content & documentary and loves telling stories. Beginning as an editor at the NYC-based agency Group SJR, she has created work for a gamut of industries.Over the past several years she has expanded into cinematography and directing for various top brands.​ ​She received her BFA in film & video from the Maryland Institute College of Art and studied fine arts at the Korea National University of Arts.

Niki Murphy

Director

Director of Photography

Editor

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial
toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercial

Jay is based in Los Angeles, California. He has worked extensively in public media for the past five years, producing audio documentaries, live newscast mixes, and sound-rich features for air on LA’s KCRW, American Public Media’s Marketplace and Marketplace Morning Report, and the BBC World Service.Jay also produces for independent artists working in Americana, nu-jazz, pop, and ambient electronic music. He is the songwriter and band leader for the bi-coastal recording collective Starsapien, which he bills as “cosmic country & western.

Mix Engineer

Sound Designer

Producer

Jay Siebold

toptop studio, filmmakers, video production, colorado, tourism, branded content, Commercialrofile.png
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