Meet Ryan.
Founder of GoodFriend. Former SAG actor. Touring drummer. Film school grad. The guy who took every possible detour to get here — and would do it all again.
To Behind It
Commercial SAG Actor
Started in front of the camera as a working actor. Learned what it actually feels like to be directed, which makes all the difference when you're the one calling the shots instead of nervously hitting your mark.
First Edit
Got hooked on editing at 16 and never recovered. Discovered that the real storytelling happens in post, and has been cutting things together ever since.
Columbia College Chicago
Formal training in the craft. Studied film in the city that would become home base.
Touring Drummer
Took a hard left and hit the road as a touring musician. Played Lollapalooza, major festivals across the country, and landed in Rolling Stone. Turns out rhythm, energy, and knowing how to read a room translate pretty directly to directing and editing.
Chicago Music Exchange
Returned to video as Director of Video. Produced, shot, and edited hundreds of gear demos, spoofs, and artist profiles for a YouTube audience that hit 250K+ subscribers. Proof that volume and quality aren't mutually exclusive.
Agency Life
Worked at several marketing agencies. Learned the full client side, budgets, timelines, rounds of feedback, stakeholder opinions, and how to make great work inside all of it.
GoodFriend Is Born
After years of working with all kinds of clients, collaborators, and colleagues, one truth kept proving itself: the best work comes from good people who actually like each other. The name wrote itself.
The Best Work Comes From Good People. That's Not A Slogan. It's The Whole Philosophy.
GoodFriend isn't a brand — it's a working style. Mutual respect, clear communication, and actually enjoying the process together. We've found that when everyone in the room wants to be there, the work gets a lot better. No ego. No drama. Occasionally bad jokes, but only if you're into that.
“With all of the moving parts that come with coordinating a shoot, one thing I never have to think twice about is working with GoodFriend. With years of expertise and an incredibly personable crew, GoodFriend has always been able to provide high-quality work and make everyone on set feel comfortable”
Let's Be Friends
Got a project? A wild idea? An inbox full of "we need a video" requests? Let's talk.