The Bear is an American production company and creative studio based in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 2007 by directors Ben Steinbauer and Berndt Mader,[1] and as of 2022, its executive producer is Elizabeth Spiva.[2]

The Bear
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2007
FoundersBen Steinbauer
Berndt Mader
Headquarters,
U.S.
Area served
Global
Services
Websitewww.thebear.us

History

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After meeting at The University of Texas at Austin, Ben Steinbauer and Berndt Mader formed The Bear in 2007.[3]

The company has produced the comedy documentary, Winnebago Man, (directed by Ben Steinbauer),[4] Chop & Steele (directed by Steinbauer and co-directed by Berndt Mader),[5] Yeti's Soul of a City (directed by Berndt Mader),[6] and the "C'Mon Ted!" political campaign ad (directed by Richard Linklater)[1]

In 2011, Steinbauer and Mader were selected to direct a segment of the feature film, Slacker 2011, a remake of Richard Linklater's Slacker (1990) by 24 Austin-based filmmakers. The firm produced 5 Time Champion (2011), starring Betty Buckley, Jon Gries, and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson. The film was written and directed by Mader and won the Target Filmmaker Award at the 2011 Dallas International Film Festival.[7]

The firm co-produced the feature film Prince Avalanche (2013) directed by David Gordon Green, starring Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch.[8] Also produced in 2013 was Double Play (2013) directed by Gabe Klinger, about the relationship between Richard Linklater and experimental filmmaker, James Benning.[9][10]

In 2015, the firm produced Booger Red (2015) directed by Mader,[11] starring Ornur Turkel and Marija Karan. The film won the Special Jury Prize at the 2016 Dallas International Film Festival.[12]

The firm has produced short films including Brute Force (2012); Bad Guy #2 (2014); Calls To Okies: The Park Grubbs Story (2015); The Superlative Light (2016); Death Metal (2016); Slow To Show (2016), directed by Steinbauer, which was acquired by The New York Times Op-Docs;[13] and Heroes From the Storm (2017).

The Bear has created commercials for clients such as Budweiser, Capital One, RAM, Fritos, Whole Foods, Alfa Romeo, Crate & Barrel, Dodge, Indeed, Yeti, and more.[14]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Director Company
2009 Winnebago Man Ben Steinbauer Kino Lorber
2012 Brute Force Ben Steinbauer The Bear
2013 Prince Avalanche David Gordon Green Magnolia
2013 Documentary Subjects Wanted with Rory Scovel - Funny or Die Ben Steinbauer No Distributor
2014 Bad Guy #2 Chris McInroy No Distributor
2014 Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater Gabe Klinger Cinema
2015 Booger Red Berndt Mader Dark Star Pictures
2015 Calls To Okies: The Park Grubbs Story Ben Steinbauer

Bradley Beesley

NA
2016 Death Metal Chris McInroy The Bear
2016 The Superlative Light 360 VR Ben Steinbauer The Bear
2016 The Superlative Light Ben Steinbauer The Bear
2016 Slow To Show Ben Steinbauer The Bear
2017 Heroes From the Storm Ben Steinbauer The Bear
2019 Siren Song Ben Steinbauer

Berndt Mader

No Distributor
2022 Chop & Steele Ben Steinbauer

Berndt Mader

Drafthouse Films

Music video

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  • Up Around The Sun “Up Around the Sun” (2018)
  • Rainbows Are Free “Sonic Demon” (2017)
  • The Mrs “I’m Enough” (2015)
  • Spanish Gold “Out On the Street” (2014)
  • Heartless Bastards “Parted Ways” (2012)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lucky 21 Welcomes Award-Winning Directors Ben Steinbauer and Berndt Mader". LBBOnline. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  2. ^ "Chelsea Pictures Adds Directing Collective The Bear, EP Michel Waxman". SHOOTonline. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "How The Bear Is Leaving Footprints in Austin's Creative Community". LBBOnline. May 19, 2023.
  4. ^ "Summerfest: Ben Steinbauer On "Winnebago Man"; Watch Now for Free!". IndieWire. August 15, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  5. ^ Whittaker, Richard (May 10, 2023). "Chasing the Story of Chop & Steele". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Lucky 21 Adds Directors Ben Steinbauer and Berndt Mader For Spots, Branded Content". SHOOTonline. October 1, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  7. ^ "First-Time Champion: Austinite Berndt wins DIFF's Texas Filmmaker Award". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  8. ^ Rooney, David (January 21, 2013). "Prince Avalanche: Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  9. ^ Dalton, Stephen (September 8, 2013). "Double Play: James Benning and Richard Linklater: Venice Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "Venice Film Festival: FilmBuff to Press 'Double Play' Digitally". Variety. August 30, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  11. ^ Hall, Michael (October 30, 2015). "The Mineola Child Sex Case Gets the Movie Treatment". TexasMonthly. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  12. ^ "Dallas International Film Festival Announces Winners". Screen Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  13. ^ "The New York Times Op-Docs Returns to IFC Center in New York". The New York Times Company. April 26, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  14. ^ "Chop & Steele – Co-directors Berndt Mader and Ben Steinbauer". May 24, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2024.