Steve Greisen

Steve Greisen, president of Exploration Films and founder of Reel Productions, LLC, is a versatile and accomplished screenwriter, film producer and director. His work within the film industry is internationally honored and recognized by some of the world’s top documentary networks such as National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Griesen’s documentaries have been awarded with some of film’s most prestigious honors and have earned notable commendations from iconic leaders.
Personal Profile
Greisen’s success in the film industry is deeply rooted in a passion to bring remarkable stories into the hearts of viewers, leading them through the adventure of discovery, and landing them in a place of inspiration-- empowering people to think differently and encouraging the inner desire to live better.
The son of missionary parents, Greisen was raised in Hong Kong and spent his childhood experiencing a different world. Growing up he was exposed to extraordinary people and incredible real-life stories thus developing a natural internal magnet for exploration and discovery. His passport has since taken this ex-pat to over 72 countries.
Greisen’s unique childhood also cultivated a strong work ethic. He graduated high school by 17 years old and seized the opportunity to visit the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany in 1972. It was here Greisen found himself caught at ground zero while the world watched in horror the slaughter of Israeli at the hands of terrorists. Munich introduced him to Youth with a Mission's leadership training school in Lausanne, Switzerland. While attending school, Steve seeded his professional acumen in the music industry, forming the band “The Family” which captivated music lovers and was later invited to perform for U.S. troops stationed in Germany. While touring, with his band, Steve met Nelly Ward, who was part of the legendary trio 2nd Chapter of Acts and the two married in 1978. They have two sons and enjoy life in the mountains of Colorado.
Professional Profile
Combining Greisen’s brazen, entrepreneurial marketing mind and Ward’s notable status as a premier singer, the dynamic pair pioneered an entirely new genre within the music industry, known today as contemporary Christian music (also known as Jesus Music). In the years to follow, the genre would grow and out sell the classical, jazz and blues genres combined. The 2nd Chapter of Acts performed over a hundred concerts a year for 16 years and sold over a million albums. Greisen’s background in music and his experience as 2nd Chapter of Act’s concert coordinator led him to be involved with the other musicians in the industry; he set up music tours for lesser-known artists, including the soon-to-be-legendary Keith Green. Throughout the '80s and early '90s the Greisens continued touring together with The 2nd Chapter of Acts, with Nelly singing, writing and recording and Steve managing and producing concerts across the U.S. and the world.
In the midst of concert tours and media interviews, Greisen took interest in what was going on behind the camera and began experimenting with film. He admits that he took an unconventional path to get into his business. He says, "No one told me that it was hard - I just did it. During the Acts years we would to do television shows and as a young guy I'd be sitting with a director and looking around the television studio and say 'this doesn't look hard...I could do this!', of course not having any idea how difficult it really was, but that was the beginning. I just decided that somehow I could learn this skill." Steve is often asked to give talks about how to get into film making. "I’m a terrible example because I wasn’t educated in film-making and I didn’t try to work for a film company," he says.
And he did. Using borrowed equipment and gathering a small but loyal team, Greisen wrote, produced, and filmed a plethora of projects for non-profits and small organizations. The team’s work gained quick popularity and high demand; by 1987 Greisen founded Reel Productions LLC. With this production company he later formed a full-service distribution company, Exploration Films.
Reel Productions, LLC
With filming experience in over forty countries throughout the world, Greisen and his Reel Productions crew understand their mission. Whether shooting projects in the jungles of Northern India, filming the killing fields of Cambodia, or pursuing great footage in the highlands of Africa, it’s always for the same purpose… to connect the viewer to a great story. “Our audience is composed of people who embrace life to the fullest; who are curious, risky and insightful. Most of all they are people who love truth,” says Greisen. This proved to be true when Reel Productions’ breakout documentary, The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai, drew in audiences across a diversity of markets and received international recognition, winning both an International Communicator Award in 1998 and a TELLY Award in 1999.
As with his history in trailblazing a new genre in the music industry, Greisen’s filmography broke ground in cinema proving that faith-based storytellers could make a significant footprint upon the film industry as a whole. Though much of Reel Productions’ film projects appeal to the faith and family market, its work has been valued by mainstream markets and recognized by figures from National Geographic, Discovery Channel and other broadcasters. Other notable honors include commendations from both Steven Spielberg and President George Bush Senior for Reel Productions’ work with Survivors of The Shoah and his WWII documentary, In the Hands of the Enemy, which also earned place in President Bush's presidential library.
Reel Productions’ expertise in documentary filmmaking has led them to some of the most extraordinary stories ever told. “People hunger for truth, reality and inspiration for life’s purpose, and that's what we try to show them. It's not just about doing a good production, it's about telling the story well,” Greisen explains. Greisen’s ability to convey a story that reaches beyond footage and connects deeply with the viewer has earned Reel Productions twenty seven TELLY Awards since 1995.
The TELLY is one of video and film's most prestigious honors and has been presented to some of the world’s most notable companies such as HBO/Warner Music Group, Time-Life, and Paramount Pictures. In 2004 Reel Productions was honored as the recipient of a remarkable five International CLASSIC TELLY awards. These prestigious Classic Telly Awards were given to works judged to be the best in the past 25 years.
Though Reel Productions, LLC has been awarded for a large number of its films, Greisen considers the company’s signature projects are First Love: a Historic Gathering of Jesus Music Pioneers and Incredible Creatures that Define Design.
Other notable credits include:
* The Mystery of The Ark of The Covenant and The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai (both narrated by John Rhys-Davies of Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones fame)
* Journey of Hope- Walking With Hope Through Life’s Valleys (featuring San Francisco Giants star pitcher Dave Dravecky)
* In the Hands of the Enemy - America Surrenders an Army (narrated by actor Brian Dennehy)
* Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution
* The Gentle Bear Man of Emo
* Portrait of the Rocky Mountain - The Making of an American Symphony
Today, Greisen continues to embark upon pilgrimages that uncover stories not yet told and writing, producing and directing the films that bring these discoveries back into the hearts and minds of viewers.
Exploration Films
Exploration Films is a marketer and distributor of high quality special interest programming based in Monument, Colorado where Greisen resides. With over 200 films in their catalogue, the company distributes to digital media outlets, broadcast and cable television and to the DVD market.
As with its parent company Reel Productions, LLC, Exploration Films presents some the most unique stories from around the world and is committed to searching the planet to find emerging film-makers, young and old who share their vision to tell great inspiring stories.
Awards
* 1995 Telly Award (Build My Church)
* 1995 International Communicator Award (The Jesus Expedition)
* 1996 Telly Award (The Jesus Expedition with Cook Communications)
* 1996 International Communicator Awards (In Store Promo with Cook Communications, Just Imagine with the Woodman Valley Chapel, and Circle of Friends Ranch with Cook Communications)
* 1997 Telly Awards (Nostradamus Exposed with Living Water Publishing, The Champions Project with Network of Educational Teams, Just Imagine with the Woodman Valley Chapel)
* 1997 International Communicator Awards (A Tradition of Caring with The Salvation Army, National Security, Missionary Support Video with Greater Europe Mission)
* 1998 Telly Awards (Eurocorps with Greater Europe Mission, Greater Europe Missions with Greater Europe Mission, A Tradition of Caring with The Salvation Army)
* 1998 International Communicator Awards (Colorado Springs Crisis Pregnancy Center, The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai, First Love- A Historic Gathering of Jesus Music Pioneers)
* 1999 Telly Awards (The Mystery of the Ark of the Covenant Promo with Monument Pictures, The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai, "First Love: A Historic Gathering of Jesus Music Pioneers)
* 1999 International Communicator Awards (The Mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, I’m Ready)
* 2000 Telly Awards (The Mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, The Search For The Real Mt. Sinai, Abandoned to Hope )
* 2000 International Communicator Awards The Second Injection, In the Hands of the Enemy - America Surrenders An Army.
* 2001 Telly Award (Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution)
* 2011 Telly Award (The Gentle Bear Man of Emo)
* 2012 Telly Award (Incredible Creatures That Define Design)
Partial Film Production Credits
(1998)
The Mystery of the Ark of the Covenant (1999)
The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai (1999)
In The Hands of The Enemy: America Surrenders an Army (2000)
The Second Injection (2000)
Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution 1 (2000)
Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution 2 (2002)
Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution 3 (2004)
Journey of Hope - Walking with Hope Through Life's Valleys (2005)
The Hidden World of Africa—Explore the Wildlife Kingdom Series (2006)
Lions - Kings of Africa—Explore the Wildlife Kingdom Series (2006)
Wildebeest - The Great African Migration—Explore the Wildlife Kingdom Series (2006)
Cougar - Ghost of the Rockies—Explore the Wildlife Kingdom Series (2006)
Dolphins - Tribes of the Sea—Explore the Wildlife Kingdom Series (2006)
Golden River, Secrets of the Amazon—Explore the Wildlife Kingdom Series (2006)
Man on the Street (2009)
Incredible Creatures That Define Design (2012)
The Gentle Bear Man of Emo (2012)

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