ABOUT THE FERN
Little Red Fern was founded by Ryan Cheevers in April 2019, and is a company focused crafting stories and empowering brands.
Ryan earned a Film Studies degree from Spring Arbor University in 2004, and is a graduate from the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. His first job out of college was at Warner Bros. Studios as a personal intern for Academy Award winning screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, The DaVinci Code). From there, Ryan worked for several Los Angeles based production houses — Radar Pictures, Groundswell Productions, Red Granite Pictures. He earned credit on films such as Milk, The Wolf of Wall Street, Dumb and Dumber To, and many others.
Ryan returned to Michigan in 2015, where he became the Marketing & Communications Manager at United Way of Southwest Michigan (until April of 2019). Ryan was selected to the 2019 class for Moody on the Market’s 40 Under 40.
Ryan is also a co-owner of Paper Crane Productions, where he writes, edits and produces content. He’s currently a producer for the web series/podcast "So, How’d You Get Here?” A show that features A-list guests and other industry professionals, who’ve hustled their way to becoming experts within the entertainment business: both in front and behind the camera. The first episode featured actor/comedian, Dana Carvey.
creativity portfolio
Seadek: “The spokesperson”
Writer / Actor
SeaDek is expanding their product line — they’re not just for boats anymore. Ryan Cheevers was hired by JV Studios, LLC to craft the script for this :60 campaign. With a blend of information and entertainment, The Spokesperson is one of SeaDek’s first visual stories highlighting RV Step Treads.
Lake Michigan college: Berrien Talent collaborative
video production company / editor
Little Red Fern was hired to create a video for a groundbreaking collaboration between Berrien RESA, Lake Michigan College, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and the Greater Niles Area Chamber to create a network of apprenticeship programs where students receive on-the-job training, laying the groundwork for a future career and filling the talent pool of Berrien County businesses.
Seadek: “Every Step of the way”
Writer (Brand story)
SeaDek Marine Products was looking to tell their story in a new way. JV Studios, LLC contracted with Ryan Cheevers to write the script for SeaDek’s 90-second Brand Video.
BOSS SERVICES “THE DOLLHOUSE”
WRITER / DIRECTOR / EDITOR
Boss Services was looking to throw a comedic punch as part of a video marketing campaign. Ryan Cheevers worked with Boss to develop a unique angle — and the Dollhouse was born! The commercial has been a successful OTT campaign.
Seadek: “Vacation santa”
Writer / Casting
Santa is getting ready for Christmas, reviewing everything about to leave Santa’s workshop. He notices a SeaDek product, which triggers a thought — maybe I’ll take this Christmas off to go on vacation.
ZENB “CHEF BALLERS”
PRODUCER / EDITOR
To help promote their yellow pea pasta, ZENB hired Ryan Cheevers and his team to produce four 30-minute chef cook-off episodes for a YouTube web series. Ryan hired JV Studios, LLC to manage the production. The final result — a cool plug on Good Morning America!
FIRST TEE OF BENTON HARBOR
”NOTHING BUT CUP” - WRITER / DIRECTOR / EDITOR
As part of their scholarship dinner, First Tee of Benton Harbor wanted to present a video that would really engage their audience. Ryan Cheevers pitched First Tee a remake of a famous 90’s McDonald’s commercial that featured Michael Jordan and Larry Bird (“Nothing But Net”).
Seadek: “Grown ups are weird”
Writer / Casting
Mallory, and her bestie (Elsa), think grown-ups are “Weird.” Particularly when Mallory’s parents think they bought a new bought, when all they did was have SeaDek flooring installed.
Seadek: “my wife’s new boat”
Writer / Creator
We pitched SeaDek a more entertaining campaign, as opposed to an educational/informational approach. With the emphasis on comedy, we developed several Geico-style ads to help build more buzz. “My Wife’s New Boat” was the first of many produced that tie into the theme of “It’s Like A New Boat.”
zenb “eat like it matters”
producer / editor
ZENB is company that produces pasta noodles from yellow peas. To help tell their story, Ryan Cheevers and his team traveled to Tokyo and Handa (Japan) to interview the key players, and to highlight the manufacturing process. This style video was the first of its kind for this 9th generation company.
Serenity springs: “Your journey starts here”: Writer / CASTING
Serenity Springs wanted a video that would really capture the experience they create for their visitors. Ryan Cheevers was hired by JV Studios, LLC to write the script and cast the talent.
SERVICES
Pre-Production - Conceptualization (Ideation), Script-writing, Storyboarding, Scheduling, Brainstorming
Production - Multi-Camera Projects, Scripted Commercials, Testimonials, Interviews, Podcast Productions, Live Event Recaps, DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
Graphic Design: Digital and Print Ads, Social Media Banners & Posts, Annual Reports, Posters, Flyers, Brochures, Web Design
In the News
A SIP OF NOSTALGIA: LOCAL FILMMAKERS SEEK EXTRAS FOR COMMERCIAL SHOOT AT PEAT’S CIDER SOCIAL
Lights. Camera. Bowling. Cider. Action.
Little Red Fern, a visual media company based in southwest Michigan, is looking for extras for a new commercial production that films next Tuesday, March 7 at Peats Cider Social.
Filmmaker and storyteller Ryan Cheevers said his company is once again teaming up with local production company JV Studios on a commercial that will transport its audience back to another era.
The video is titled “A Sip of Nostalgia,” and will begin in present-day. Cheevers said the lead actor will then take a sip of Peat’s cider and be taken to the late 1960’s.
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SJ VIDEO PRODUCERS WORK FEATURED ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA
Earlier this year, Ryan Cheevers, of St. Joseph, was selected to help create the show “Chef Ballers,” with his California-based company Paper Crane Productions.
Gluten-free food brand ZENB recently premiered the show, which features Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls, WNBA star Te’a Cooper, and is hosted by Master Chef Alum Monti Carlo. The show is airing before select Chicago Bulls games this December and was featured on a recent segment of Good Morning America.
Cheever said received the call in June that Paper Crane Productions, would produce the 4-episode, 24-minute show in Chicago. Cheevers said knew he’d need a team in the windy city to collaborate with, and his first call was to current southwest Michigan residents, John Pinto and Vince Pinto, of Chicago-based JV Studios.
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Dana Carvey on witnessing a pre-fame Robin Williams perform: 'He was so confident, completely spontaneous'
Dana Carvey is best known for his performances as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, where he starred for seven seasons between 1986 and 1993, and, of course, for famously playing the role of the loveable Garth Algar in Wayne’s World. When it comes to Carvey’s big inspirations, it’s perhaps unsurprising that he has a soft spot for Robin Williams.
Carvey, reflecting on significant moments in his carer, once explained the first time he ever saw Williams perform, back when Williams was an unknown talent. It was in San Francisco where Carvey first caught wind of a comedy show taking place over the bridge in Berkley, an event that happened to feature a young Robin Williams.
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