What people are saying.
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"A conversation with Chris Ryan about his award-winning film company, moving to St. Louis, and the gritty magic about the city that made him stay."
The St. Louisan
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"We've assembled the Top 100 People to Know in St. Louis to Help You Succeed in Business. These are the influencers that can help guide your business to success."
Small Business Monthly
100 People to Know in St. Louis -
"St. Louis Character: Chris Ryan is driven by curiosity and service at his St. Louis video production firm."
St. Louis Business Journal
St. Louis Character -
"We talked with Once Films’ Creative Director Chris Ryan to find out the inspiration behind the work at STL.org and the Spotlight Series® films to discover and document the people, places, and organizations that elevate the St. Louis region."
Center of Creative Arts (COCA)
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Building St. Louis 2020: Once Films captures new beauty in Midtown Alley building
St. Louis Business Journal
Building 2020 Awards: Renovation under $5 Million -
LIFE ON THE EDGES: High-profile projects line the fringes of downtown, but can the momentum carry into the city center?
St. Louis Business Journal
Commercial Real Estate -
"Chris Ryan of Once Films has built a career doing what he loves. For him, that means being part of a community and being able to tell its story at the same time. "
Workbook Weekly
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Once Films and The Spotlight Series’s short film “Barrel,” invites viewers to witness the process of creating barrel aged beard and tattoo oils.
Communication Arts
Exhibit -
Chris Ryan believes that we’re always leveraging the momentum of something started by someone else.
Entrepreneur Quartley
The Next Era of Revitalization
Bio
I'm an advocate for all that is well-made, well-designed, and thoughtful. I build and tell stories for a living. And while I travel a lot, I love St. Louis.
Principally, I own and manage Once Films, a boutique video production company. We're known for rich storytelling, immersive cinematography, and compelling editing. We work for huge companies, scrappy nonprofits, and everything in between. And despite our small size, we've won the most prominent advertising and content awards in the country (and beyond), including 22 Emmy Awards and 5 National Addys.
I aim to do everything with that same energy, especially those "side-projects." For example, we were recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal for our historic building renovation and studio development in Midtown Alley. The Building 2020 awards were presented to "the commercial real estate projects that had the biggest impact — economically, socially or otherwise." And as a Fine Print Small Press investor and partner, I'm excited to finish our first major book release, slated to release in the fall of 2022.
I wear my civic pride on my sleeve, too. I love St. Louis and want to do everything I can to support its growth and the people that live and work here. Last year, I launched the nonprofit website STL.org, dedicated to sharing stories of interesting people in our city. Check out our Spotlight Series® and discover some fascinating local characters! On the macro level, I became a "Founding Member" of Greater St Louis Inc's Chair's Council, dedicated to achieving large-scale economic growth in the region.
I'm often accused of "having a lot going on." But really, I spend every day working on things for people, organizations, and communities I care about. I'm insatiably curious and can hardly wait to see what's next.
-Chris
p.s.- I'm also an EMT, Rescue Diver, S&R Tech, Advanced Incident Command, and Missouri Basic Fighfighter graduate. Let's go adventure!
certifications
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B)
Missouri Basic Firefighter Course
Team Rubicon Global Disaster Response Volunteer
Team Rubicon Veteran Emergency Response Team,Communications Manager Region 7
PADI Rescue Diver Certification
Texas A&M EES ICS-400 Advanced Incident Command System
Team Rubicon ICS-300 Intermediate Incident Command System
FEMA IS-42 Social Media in Emergency Management
FEMA IS-800.b National Response Framework
FEMA IS-700.a National Incident Management System
FEMA IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources
FEMA IS-100.b Incident Command System
Department of Homeland Security IS-317
US Air Force Reserve Flight Security Clearance
PADI Specialty Certifications: Wreck, Night, Enriched Air, Equipment
PADI Advanced Open Water Certification
PADI Adventure Certification
NAUI Open Water (SCUBA) Certification
NASAR Search and Rescue Tech III
recognitions
Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Office of the President of the United Sates of America (2)
Generosity Award from Doorways Housing
Building 2020 Awards, St. Louis Business Journal
Inc. 5000 List, Inc. Midwest 250
100 St. Louisans To Know, Small Business Monthly
National ADDY Awards, American Advertising Federation (5)
Regional and District ADDY Awards, American Advertising Federation District 9 and the St. Louis AdClub (54)
CLIO Advertising Award
EMMY Award, NATAS Mid-America Chapter (22)
Award of Excellence, Communication Arts (4)
Honors Award, Art St. Louis
Applied Arts Awards, Applied Arts Magazine