What is
Owl Ears?
Owl Ears is a media production house led by Daniel Bowler (just "Dan" will do). Inspired by the "owl ears" cats make when bemused or anxious, Owl Ears seeks stories that take the toughest parts of life head-on.
Owl Ears understands that life, for the majority of folks, is a road filled with bumps, potholes, and even sinkholes. Very few of us have made it to where we are today without facing some sort of adversity. Owl Ears doesn't like glossing over those stories - instead we view them as crucial to true empathy and understanding.
Key to this is the pursuit of "thick descriptions". An anthropological concept, thick description identifies that the context of a story enhances the viewer's understanding. Whether you're seeking to tell the story of a nonprofit, business, or community, the Owl Ears difference lies in focusing on the humans behind your project and the context they bring to the table.
Who is Dan?
A sociologist and multidisciplinary documentarian,
but what does that all actually mean?
Sociology
is a key part of Dan's own thick description of life.
Having grown up constantly inquisitive about the "whys" of the world, sociology was where Dan found answers. The discipline provides tools to question the social systems we interact with every day, always pushing us to see individuals in context rather than as just numbers in a data set. Sociology gives us the ability to identify things in society that aren't working and develop solutions based on the lived experiences of those affected.
Documentary
is the use of creative tools to share real stories that deepen empathy.
Empathy makes us better friends, partners, neighbors, and citizens. It's not just good feelings - it's science! The role of a documentarian is to use the lens to not just capture things as they happen, but to do it in a way that provides insight into why they happen. That's why, even it feels a bit pretentious every time, Dan describes himself as a documentarian rather than a photographer or videographer. Just like Owl Ears' work, context is key.
What kinds of projects does
Owl Ears take on?
Owl Ears is focused on services for several industries and subject matters:
1.
Nonprofits, NGOs, Community & Labor Organizations
Whether it's a social video for a donor drive, grant program video application, photo coverage of a charity event, or so, so much more, Bowler Images can be your creative partner across a multitude of organizational needs.
You're not just getting production services though - you'll have a creative professional who has strong understanding of your subject matter. With an advanced degree and 10 years of experience, you'll work with a Sociologist who can understand your mission and the needs of the community. At best, Dan is better equipped to translate your goals into meaningful visual pieces that accurately represent your organization's voice.
Past & current partners include:
Virginia Poverty Law Center
Legal Services of Northern Virginia
Richmond Strong
Big Gay Market
Debate Spaces
Production capabilities:
- Fundraising & promotional videos
- Client/subject narrative interviews
- Social media subject explainer videos
- Event photo, video, and livestreaming
- Event photobooths and onsite printing
- Headshot and promotional photography
- Subject matter documentary photography
- Gallery exhibit planning and installation
Small & Local Businesses, Startups, Corporate Events & Branches
2.
Frustrated learning how to edit a Tiktok, Youtube video, or podcast episode? As strong marketing tools as these outlets can be, they can also be a massive headache to learn & integrate into an already busy workflow. Owl Ears is the creative partner that can take that work off your plate; no more stress over learning complex new skills like lighting techniques, audio quality, or editing software. Not to mention you'll gain access to thousands of dollars of specialized production equipment that you won't have to purchase yourself.
Are you representing a larger company that's looking for a promotional material refresh? Owl Ears can help you from inception to delivery. Whether we're making sure staff have new matching headshots, orchestrating photoshoots for promotional use, or sharing your brand's story through video content, you'll have the help you need to make your vision to reality.
Past & current partners include:
Kensington Senior Living
Body Arc & Crescent Collective
Dayum That's My Jam
LL Flooring
CareLulu
Production capabilities:
- Social and website video
- Broadcast commercials
- Studio or on-site headshots
- Studio or on-site product photography
- Studio or on-site promotional photography
- Event photobooths w/ onsite printing
- Artistic photography project collaborations
- Gallery exhibit planning and installation
- Podcast production, filming, editing
3.
Investigative Media Projects
Working on an investigative project, from as small as a Youtube video essay to as big as a feature-length documentary? The "Dan" element of Owl Ears can be of particular use. With an advanced degree in Criminology, on-the-job experience as a white collar crime investigator, and interview training in both investigative and anthropological styles, he can bring much more to your project than just a steady camera hand.
Investigative specialties:
- Background investigation
- Open source & legal investigation
- Mass records & email analysis
- Fraud triangle investigations
Production capabilities:
- Stills photographer
- Interviewer
- Director of photography
- 2nd AC
- Location/interview scout
Curious about Dan's background? His Bachelors in Sociology was focused on crimes of exploitation, the poverty industrial complex, political scapegoating, and the dynamics of domestic extremism. While on work assignments through Northeastern's co-op program, Dan learned to investigate white collar criminals using open-source research, financial analysis, source identification, and surveillance. His 2020 thesis documentary Identity Crisis, a threat analysis of avowed white supremacists using law enforcement connections & resources, received a Social Justice award from the department of sociology. Dan used the early stages of the pandemic for a Master's degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice, where he narrowed his focus on white collar crime, political violence & hate crime, and the poverty industrial complex. Before having to exit due to a medical complication, Dan served as a Financial Investigator with Virginia's Office of the Attorney General, working to combat fraud by doctors, companies, and manufacturers abusing the Medicaid system and their patients.
Professional, Semi-Pro, and Club Sports Teams & Organizations
4.
Past team partners:
- Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Boston Slow White
- Boston Brute Squad
- Color of Ultimate tour
An athlete his entire life until Covid knocked him out of the game, Dan is still an avid sports fan. We're not just talking the legacy major sports like baseball, basketball, or football either; Dan enjoys growing sports (like ultimate frisbee), sports finding a foothold in the U.S. (like rugby), action sports (like mountain biking), and the new frontier of Esports (like Dota 2 and Apex Legends). Basically, if you're competing to be the very best at your game, Dan would love to help you connect with your fans through storytelling that brings them closer to the action than they've been before.
It's a common understanding among sports media professionals that if you lack understanding of the game you're covering, your shots will be lacking as well. With Owl Ears you'll have a creative partner that doesn't look to only capture the big climactic moment, but also the emotions and stories behind your journey. Whether that means catching the reactions of players' families on film, helping your team form lasting emotional connections with fans, or launching the promotional material for your team's brand and corporate sponsors, Owl Ears has your back from frigid practices to electric championships.
Production capabilities:
- Behind-the-scenes documentary filmmaking
- Promotional videography for socials
- Highlight filming & editing for socials
- Broadcast commercials
- Action photography
- Studio or on-site headshots
- Studio or on-site merchandise & promotional photography
- Event photobooths w/ onsite printing
- Gallery exhibit planning and installation
- Podcast production, filming, editing
Why work with a smaller production house?
"Your website looks great and all, but we're looking for a partner with a bit more capacity"
Look, this is a completely understandable question. If you're searching for a cinema-level production partner that's ready to shoot next weekend, we'll be the first to admit that Owl Ears probably isn't the best fit for your vision. Owl Ears is a young company that, rather than putting the cart (massive business loans) before the horse (regular return clients), is leveraging its small size as a strength. You'll get peace of mind knowing that Owl Ears takes on projects one at a time, your production crew is anchored by a sociologist that strives to deeply understand your mission, and that your production costs will be lower without having to payout for large team expenses like craft services or health insurance. Plus, the gratification of helping a small, queer-owned and locally-minded business scale.
Oh,
did I mention Owl Ears works on a sliding scale?
Click here to learn about the Owl Ears sliding scale policy and why it's of particular use to small & local organizations
Excited by all this information and eager to start the inquiry process? Click here to give me a shout.