Intro
Tell us who you are and what kind of films/videos you create.
I’m Dan Fisher, Principal, Director, and Executive Producer at Bottle Rocket Media, a Chicago-based video production and motion design studio creating story-driven content for brands that want to communicate with clarity, emotion, and measurable impact.
We specialize in full-service video production, motion graphics, event video, video marketing, and AEO/GEO strategies that help brands get discovered across platforms. Our team blends cinematic production, smart design, and digital strategy to deliver work that looks good, drives engagement, and elevates how companies tell their stories.
Your spark
What first got you into filmmaking or video production?
Communication and the understanding that everybody has a story and everybody wants to feel seen and heard. This obsession led me to years as an editor on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where I experimented and learned how to create a well-crafted story; shifting perspectives and creating real connection. That experience ultimately inspired me to build Bottle Rocket Media. I wanted to make a studio where filmmakers, editors, designers, and strategists could collaborate to help brands communicate with authenticity and cinematic craft. Today, BRM brings that philosophy into every piece of content we produce by combining strong narratives, thoughtful visuals, and strategic execution to help our clients tell stories that matter.
The craft
What’s one thing you focus on most when telling a story on screen?
I’m always looking for the place where emotion and strategy meet. A memorable story should make people feel something, but it also has a job to do. Whether the goal is to build trust, clarify a message, or encourage action, the narrative has to be intentional.
At Bottle Rocket Media, every choice we make is intentional. Every frame, every sound cue, and every shift in pacing is shaped with purpose and guided by data. We root our work in the emotional core of the story while aligning it with the brand’s goals. The result is content that resonates on a human level and delivers measurable performance.
A recent win
Tell us about a project you’re especially proud of.
I’m especially proud of our recent commercial campaign with Basis Technologies. It was one of those projects where strategy, creativity, and collaboration snapped perfectly into place. Basis trusted us to help reimagine their brand through a bold 60s-era period piece: stylized and confident. Seeing their vision land with their audience and support real business results is rewarding.
Behind the scenes
What’s one tool, trick, or habit that makes your workflow easier?
Preparation is the backbone of everything we do, including pre-interviews, visual references, and detailed production maps.
Looking ahead
Where do you see the future of filmmaking heading in the next 2–3 years?
Over the next few years, I see filmmaking moving toward hybrid creativity, where human storytelling, AI-assisted workflows, and nimble production models combine to create smarter, more personalized content. Technology will evolve, but the brands that win will still be the ones that tell the most meaningful and human stories.