ABOUT THEO
Theodore (Theo) Schaefer is a filmmaker and photographer with a passion for telling stories that matter. Based in Santa Barbara, Theo began his career at On The Wave Productions as an intern in 2016, learning the ropes under the mentorship of Harry Rabin. Over the years, Theo has grown into a key member of the team, producing visually stunning and thought-provoking work across commercial, music, and documentary genres. With over eight years of experience, he has collaborated with high-profile clients such as The UPS Store, HBO, Heal the Ocean, and Human Rights Watch, delivering impactful visuals that resonate.
Currently, Theo is one of the producers on Unabandoned, On The Wave Productions' feature film expansion of Greetings From Summerland, which is in pre-production. He also produced a documentary for the Keep the Funk Committee, focusing on the gentrification of the Funk Zone and its impact on the local community. Additionally, Theo is working with the Nature Track Film Festival, developing a documentary on hemp fiber production in South Dakota, and helping develop a short film on the Oakland A's leaving Oakland and the broader implications of that shift.
Theo’s experience extends to stagecraft at the Santa Barbara Bowl and other renowned venues, reflecting his deep connection to live music production. His diverse skill set includes producing, camera operation, sound engineering for video, data wrangling, and event photography. Ready to be hired for projects that require a sharp creative eye and technical expertise, Theo brings a commitment to excellence and a passion for storytelling in every role he takes on.