WE ARE YOUR VIDEO ALLY
about us
WHAT KIND OF NAME IS ROUTE 3 FILMS?
Route 3, a stretch of road intertwining my hometown of Alton, Illinois, with my current home in St. Louis, serves as the thread connecting my diverse roles as a driver, director, and dad. Childhood memories of Route 3 include sleepy rides home from St. Louis Cardinal games with my family and countless trips to the drag strip with my dad, where I developed a love for racing and its vibrant community. Later, as a student at Webster University, this road fueled my dreams of storytelling. Inspired by my friend Michael Gebben, I transitioned from a decade-long career to build my own film company, blending my passion for filmmaking and the open road. Now, as a dad, I weave my personal history into the fabric of Route 3, creating lasting memories and embracing the rich stories that define my journey. Explore more about my passions and experiences in the new section of my website, "The Wagon," featuring a 3-part series with my father and our old race car.
Drag racing isn't just a pastime for me—it's a nod to a cherished family tradition. The thunderous engines and the rush of the finish line encapsulate the enduring excitement that fuels my love for this sport.
driver
director
Immersed in the world of filmmaking, I find my truest expression behind the camera lens. From crafting compelling narratives to capturing raw emotion, directing isn't just what I do—it's the heartbeat of my cinematic passion.
dad
Diving into the incredible journey of fatherhood has been my greatest adventure. Whether it was bedtime stories or shared laughter, being a dad is not just a role—it's the pure joy of witnessing little moments turn into lifelong memories.
VOLUNTEER WORK
At the heart of our endeavors is a commitment to giving back and making a positive impact. We extend our passion beyond the lens by actively engaging in volunteer work that resonates with the communities we hold dear. From crafting and donating impactful videos to share compelling narratives, to preserving Ozark Stories that enrich our cultural tapestry, our dedication to storytelling extends beyond professional projects. Volunteering at my kids' school is a hands-on way of investing in the next generation, fostering an environment where curiosity and creativity flourish. Additionally, our hands-on involvement with the Ozark Trail Association, building hiking trails, reflects our dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the Ozarks for all to enjoy. Through these diverse initiatives, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the communities that inspire us.
meet the team
JIMMY WILDERMAN
Meet Jimmy Wilderman! Jimmy has been with me since the start. He is my lead cinematographer, shot almost every film in my portfolio and is always by my side. When he is not running around with me and Route 3 Films, he and his lovely wife, Steph head up the top wedding film company in the region: capturedinframes.com. Jimmy loves his family, his work and his big adventures in the western half of the USA.
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SCOTT HELFRICH
Scott is one of our two fantastic editors. Scott is based in my hometown of Alton, Illinois and has been a tremendous addition to our team and a true journeyman editor. He was a staff editor for a hunting show for a decade but now Route 3 Films allows Scott to flex some serious creative muscle each time I bring him a challenging project. The Director/Editor relationship is a fun one as we are two chefs in a crowded kitchen bickering, tasting, guessing, investigating and looking for the best recipe that works.
MICHAEL GEBBEN
The one and only Michael Gebben! Where do I start with this young man? Back in 2010 Gebbs, as he is known, somehow talked me out of a decade long career in the Event Production world to help him run his company. Well, the time was right in more ways than one and I was so ready to pick up a camera again. We joined forces for three epic years...from New York to LA to Fiji to Alton, Illinois we did it all and better than anyone that could catch us. He inspired and motivated me so much that I felt the pull to captain my own ship and Route 3 Films was born. I owe him so much and love when he is at my side with a camera in his hand.
JAMES HOOK
James Hook has been with me from the very start and is my lead editor. James' older brother, Tim Hook was actually my college roommate and edited my films way back when. James is a pure editor who understands me better than most. He puts up with my perfectionist tendencies, my terrible questions and my impossible requests but each time he delivers an amazing edit that needs less and less input from the boss. James is married to an equally creative mind and their family is growing so hopefully I will have another Hook editing my films in the years to come.
Jennifer hodges
Jennifer and Ryan worked together in their previous lives as hospitality professionals. They met at the Four Seasons St. Louis when the hotel was opened in 2006/2007. They worked long hours side by side delivering world class customer service, Ryan as the AudioVisual Director and Jennifer as the Banquet Director. They left the hotels to pursue a new path as entrepreneurs. Jennifer has been working in several capacities at Route 3 Films from project coordination on our largest films to on-camera talent to organizational guru with the operation of the business. Jennifer is a great friend and asset to the Route 3 Films family
ALAN SHAWGO
Alan Shawgo is a recent graduate from Illinois College, a longtime client of ours, and while still a student at IC he tracked me down and insisted on interning for me. I am proud to say he is now my right-hand man.
True story: Alan's dad actually saw my films on the Illinois College website and told me that they helped him decide where to send Alan. Since graduation Alan has proved himself over and over to be as capable as anyone on our team...as a videographer, an editor and our brilliant photographer. He has now added web designer to his bag of tricks. He can do anything and is truly a big part of the Route 3 Family.