Richard Owens Jr
Documentary Filmmaker
Richard Owens is an Emmy-award winning storyteller who brings
years of experience specializing in documentary filmmaking and branded content.
His work has taken him all over North America telling stories for the NFL, college football, and professional lacrosse. With a lifelong curiosity for what drives extraordinary people, Richard has made films about topics ranging from miniature wargaming to competitive spreadsheeting.
He has been trusted by a wide range of clients to tell compelling and unforgettable stories including NFL Films, Paramount, NBC Sports, and many others. With a multi-faceted skillset, Richard has high level experience directing, editing, and shooting.
Filmmaking is never a solo endeavor. These films have been made possible with the help of an elite team of filmmakers, editors, and cinematographers obsessed with the craft of documentary storytelling.
My films...
A Billion to One
Feature-length documentary in post production
An all-access sports documentary about one of the most unexpected battlegrounds in modern competition: Microsoft Excel.
Each year, the best spreadsheet minds from around the globe gather to battle it out in a high-octane, formula-fueled showdown in Las Vegas to determine who will be the Excel World Champion.
Celebrating obsession, talent, and the universal hunger to be the best at something, One in a Billion brings out the quirks, rituals, rivalries, and nerves of competition—but through a lens of warmth and genuine admiration.
Because once you see Excel the way they do, you’ll never look at a spreadsheet the same way again.
Cult of Nerd
An award-winning 20 minute documentary short
'Cult of Nerd' is an award winning documentary short filmed and edited over the course of 2023 and 2024. This film explores the power of community & passion through the lens of a niche pastime: miniature wargaming.
The story centers around a group of wargamers in the Philadelphia area, bonded by a mutual love of the hobby.
'Cult of Nerd' was screened at several festivals across the country, and has garnered nearly 100,000 views online.
ULTRAVIOLET
A 27-minute documentary short about one of NYC's most captivating musical talents
A little over two years ago, I met E.W. at a show about the composer Arnold Schoenberg that I was hired to film. E.W. was the event's sound engineer; but towards the end of the night he was asked to play some of his original music to close us out.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
E.W.'s music captivated me and everyone in attendance. Sharing a bit of both his story and his creative process has been such a joy. I find E.W.'s connection to his art and his reasons for creating to be every bit as powerful as the music itself.
Life. Loss. Lacrosse.
A 10-minute documentary short featuring lacrosse's next rising star
Dyson's story is one of perseverance and determination. Born to a lacrosse family and a National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame Dad, Dyson has been destined for stardom from an early age.
When he was a young teen, he lost his brother Tucker to cancer. Everything he does in life, whether on the floor or off, has been dedicated to honoring the name of his brother and family.
A skill for any production...
With a multi-faceted skill set honed over the course of a decade making films, I can fit into a production's ecosystem anywhere needed.
DIRECT. I've led two-person crews. I've led crews of 20+. I believe in leading with both kindness and decisiveness. And above everything, I believe in empowering those around me to maximize creativity and collaboration.
SHOOT. I cut my teeth with a camera shooting sports; learning how to maintain focus and frame shots in the middle of high octane action. My camera has led me down an exciting path, operating on two feature films, a doc series, and countless interviews.
EDIT. I learned the craft of editing within the hallowed halls of NFL Films, where I won an Emmy for my work on 'Hard Knocks'. I'm skilled with both Adobe Premiere and Avid Media Composer, where I've cut multiple documentary series and a feature film.
Branded Content...
Explore More
A 3-minute film for the outdoor brand: Shimoda
Shimoda is a company that specializes in rugged backpacks designed with photographers in mind. I partnered with Shimoda to create a high impact film aimed at showcasing the rush of an outdoor adventure.
Filmed on location in the Delaware River Valley
Christopher Korey
Collective
A 3-minute film for the luxury men's clothing designer Christopher Korey
From concept to execution to delivery, my team and I owned every aspect of this production. We pitched CKC on a film that embodied everything the man stands for: style as a way of life, ultimate professionalism, and integrity.
Half of this project was shot on Super 8, which we then paired with our digital footage, to create a unique combination of the old and new. Perfectly encapsulating Christoper Korey's creed.
The Weekend Starts Here
A :30 broadcast commercial spot for the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League wanted to create a commercial spot that captured the feeling of 'the fastest game on two feet'.
To showcase both the speed and drama of lacrosse, we combined the capabilities of the 'phantom cam', which captured a lacrosse face-off in extreme slow motion, along with fan engagement and fast paced highlights to deliver a spot that packs a punch.
More projects I loved being a part of...
The Draft Starts in Mobile
A 3-part, 90 minute docuseries produced by Pancam Pictures
As the premier showcase for ascending NFL talent, The Senior Bowl is the proving ground for players looking to fulfill their dreams.
This project was a three month sprint to the finish line, where I had my hands in nearly every facet of production, from pre to post, to the final edit.
A Moment in the Sun
An 80 minute feature film produced by Film Focus Productions
On April 2024, Houlton, Maine - a town of 6,000 - was the final destination in the United States to see the 2024 total solar eclipse, and the people of Houlton expected tens of thousands of visitors to descend upon their home to witness this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event.
I was on location in Maine and embedded with two of the film's characters during production as a cinematographer.
CLIENTS
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