the story behind the name

Sarah and Bryan earned MFAs together at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, but their paths never crossed until Sarah hired Bryan on her first professional production. Bonding over shared approaches and values, they quickly became a team in both film and life.

One of their early successes was an episode of A&E’s Intervention – on a verité crew of only Sarah, Bryan, a field producer and a PA – in which they collaborated on a gritty, grueling shoot that became the first and only Intervention episode to win a Primetime Emmy. (Bryan received an Emmy nomination for cinematography for the same episode.)

Meanwhile their home, nestled in the woods on the edge of the Angeles Crest Forest, would become a popular informal gathering place for their friends, particularly the like-minded documentary family they’ve accumulated on project after project over the years. It was natural then that their home, affectionately nicknamed the Shaggy Bear Lodge, would lend its name to their production company — a meeting place of talented filmmakers creating art to mine their common interest, a fascination with all things human.

Sarah Skibitzke

producer • director • editor

Sarah Skibitzke is a Primetime Emmy award-winning director and producer with over 15 years experience in docu-series television.

Sarah received her BA from Mills College as a double major in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice & Communications with an emphasis in Fine Art. While at Mills, she studied prison reform and directed an award-winning documentary about Alcatraz. She went on to receive her MFA in Film Production from USC focusing on documentary filmmaking.

In 2007, Sarah was invited to South Africa to produce the launching of the first closed-door meeting of “The Elders”, a group of independent world leaders such as Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu, as they worked together for global peace and human rights.

She would then go on to produce the addiction documentary series “Intervention” for A&E, winning the 2009 Primetime Emmy for Best Reality Program for an episode she directed and produced. She would then supervise A&E’s sister-addiction show called “Relapse” involving addicts getting sober with the help of a sober coach.

In 2013, Sarah and Bryan continued their collaboration as she directed and he shot “One Million Bones”, a documentary short about a global art installation of the same name showcasing an effort to stop contemporary genocide in Burma, the DNC and Sudan.

In a change of pace, Sarah would executive produce and showrun E!’s top-rated “Hollywood Medium” for four seasons, interviewing 200 celebrities in their homes while navigating intimate conversations about death and dying, mourning and grief.

This past year she has developed content around mental illness interventions, gay conversion therapy (mis)treatment, and addiction recovery. Sarah has produced series for networks such as A&E, OWN, E!, CMT, LMN, CBS, and ABC Family. She is represented by the talent agency WME.

Bryan Donnell

cinematographer • producer • writer

If your shot isn’t good enough, you’re not close enough. — Robert Capa

Bryan Donnell is a cinematographer for documentary films, television, and commercials. His work has appeared in theaters as well as networks such as Netflix, HBO, Showtime, CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and many others, had multiple films in each of the Sundance, Tribeca, and Cannes Film Festivals; and he has worked worked frequently with directors such as Lucy Walker, Morgan Spurlock, Sally Rubin, Ashley York, Brian Knappenberger, B J Perlmutt, Matthew Galkin, Steve Rivo, Peter Logreco, Sandra Alvarez, and Matthew Testa.

He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy for cinematographer, and films of his have won prizes like Palme d’Or (Best Short Film) at Cannes, Best Doc Feature at the LA Film Festival, and many others.

In particular Bryan has been called upon for vérité work with sensitive material and subjects, to be the “friend in the room” — that is, to help subjects reveal themselves by being an empathetic presence. Intimacy is the greatest special effect.

At the same he has developed a particular style of developing striking images by observation and understanding of what’s already there, wanting to be released.

Unlike others who grew up making films, Bryan's background was one of creative writing and fine arts, both of which he studied at UNC-Chapel Hill. This has given him a unique perspective on cinematography, with an overarching sense of story on the one hand, understanding what pieces are needed to tell one; and of a deep appreciation not only of composition, but also of the ways that visuals can affect a viewer subconsciously.

Documentary hand-held shooting, in particular, he considers to be an ideal melding of athletics, art, psychology, and above all, empathy.

To look at Bryan’s work, visit bryandonnell.com.