Expertise at Every Stage.

We are students of human potential.

Cheer Films was built on a simple premise: Experience matters. When you hire a strategic partner, you aren't paying for cameras and lights; You are investing in a system forged through thousands of hours of creative problem-solving and execution. This foundation—built on honed empathy, deepened perspective, and a history of getting things done—underpins your relationship with Cheer Films and ensures predictable, exceptional results.

We are 10,000-hour shooters, editors, and producers. We bring over three decades of combined experience to your project, ensuring that the final cut isn't just a video—it’s a strategic asset that moves audiences and moves the needle.

  • Yes, little ones.

    • Adobe

    • Advent International

    • American Express

    • Bain Capital

    • ConEdison

    • Firestone

    • Kodiak

    • Marsh-Mclennan Companies

    • Masterclass

    • NRG

    • Paramount

    • Pfizer

    • SpikeTV

    • Staples

    • The North Face

    • Timberland

    • Toyota

    • Zoetis

  • We bring intense focus without rigidity. We provide the steady hand that large institutions rely on to mitigate risk and deliver excellence.

About

Mike Flanagan

Founder / Director / Cinematographer

Producer, Mike Flanagan founded Cheer Films after nearly a decade as a freelance photographer and commercial video producer. With roots as a jazz musician and Broadway orchestra substitute, he brings a natural sense of rhythm and timing to his storytelling—whether in the sweep of a camera move, the precision of a lighting plot, or the cadence of a narrative arc. Mike anticipates the edit while on set.

At Cheer Films, Michael thrives at the intersection of preparation and improvisation. He approaches each project with the technical discipline to get it right and the creative flexibility to stay in the moment.

Clients know him for his calm leadership and "good vibes," possessing the unique ability to make even the most complex, high-stakes shoots feel effortless.

About

Pearl Thomas

Director & Storyteller

I direct and produce stories for global brands including HBO, Netflix, and Apple. But my best training ground? Directing the daily chaos of raising ELLARY and ROWAN while running a production company.

Here's what most people miss: The framework for a great brand story is identical to the framework for explaining why we brush our teeth before bed. Clarity. Emotion. Action. It works whether you're pitching to a C-suite or a curious five-year-old.

What I Bring to Your Project:

The empathy of a parent who understands what truly moves people. The efficiency of a mom who can't waste a single minute. The strategic thinking of someone who's learned to make complex ideas crystal clear—because if I can't explain it to my kids, I can't explain it to your audience.

I founded Cheer Films to create work that matters—stories that don't just sell products, but build legacies. Whether I'm on set with a crew of 40 or at home with my crew of 2, the question is always the same: What's the story we're actually telling here?

Select Clients & Projects:

  • Masterclass’s Martha Stewart’s “Day in the Life of” Masterclass Film

  • Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

  • Next Thing You Eat with David Cheng

Let's Work Together:
I'm currently booking projects for the start of January 2026. If you're looking for a director and producer who brings both creative excellence and hard-won perspective to your brand story, let's talk.

Book a Call with Pearl

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