Paul
Saunders
Pittsburgh-based filmmaker, director, and marketing strategist with a career spanning the NFL, NFL Network, and over 50 businesses and non-profits. Founder of ShoFilms. Storyteller by nature, strategist by discipline.
Selected Projects
Experience
Contracted Director and Director of Photography for the NFL and NFL Network, directing and shooting long-form documentaries, episodic programming, and feature series. Responsibilities span full-scope production: cinematography, visual storytelling, interview direction, lighting design, and post-production collaboration. Work includes 90-minute Hall of Fame documentaries broadcast on NFL Network (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), the NFL Generations series, NFL City Life, NFL Man of the Year, and original documentary films aired across major broadcast and cable platforms.
Founded and operates ShoFilms, a Pittsburgh-based production and marketing studio creating brand films, commercials, and strategic storytelling campaigns. Has partnered with over 50 businesses and non-profits across more than 30 states and 4 countries to develop brand identity, video marketing, broadcast TV spots, and digital strategy. Clients span national corporations, regional businesses, major non-profits, and high-profile charitable organizations.
Worked alongside the executives of Light of Life Rescue Mission to lead a comprehensive marketing, media, and communications strategy for a successful $8 million capital campaign. Produced campaign films, digital strategy, event materials, and donor storytelling content that drove the campaign to successfully meet its goal.
Directed marketing and media production for a successful $2 million capital campaign for North Way Community Church. Produced a full suite of 6 campaign videos incorporating 20+ interviews, shaping a compelling narrative that drove donor engagement and carried the initiative to its goal.
Capital Campaigns
Worked alongside the executives of Light of Life Rescue Mission to lead a comprehensive marketing, media, and communications strategy for a successful $8 million capital campaign. Produced campaign films, digital strategy, event materials, and donor storytelling content that drove the campaign to successfully meet its goal.
Directed marketing and media production for a successful $2 million capital campaign for North Way Community Church. Produced a full suite of 6 campaign videos incorporating 20+ interviews, shaping a compelling narrative that drove donor engagement and carried the initiative to its goal.
Ligonier Hardware
In 2021, Paul and his wife Cheryl purchased the iconic 1906 Ligonier Hardware building — a historic Main Street landmark that operated as a hardware store for 100 years. The couple is transforming the 5,400 sq ft building into their personal residence, a street-level storefront, and two boutique Airbnb properties under the Ligonier Hardware brand.
What began as a renovation project became a nationally recognized story of creative vision and place-making. Paul's strategic use of social media — posting only a handful of videos — drove the project's TikTok to 175,000 followers and 13 million views on a single post, while also building an Instagram audience of 28,000 (@hardware2home). The story was featured in Business Insider as a viral sensation.
The project demonstrates Paul's marketing instincts beyond traditional campaigns: identifying an authentic story, shaping its narrative, and delivering it to massive audiences with precision and craft. Paul also successfully navigated rezoning the mixed-use property, reflecting both his vision and his ability to execute at every level.
The 1906 Ligonier Hardware building on Main Street, Ligonier, PA — now being restored by Paul & Cheryl Saunders.
Skills & Expertise
- Film Direction
- Cinematography
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Commercial Production
- Broadcast Production
- Post-Production / Editing
- Scriptwriting & Storytelling
- Brand Strategy & Identity
- Capital Campaign Leadership
- Social Media Strategy
- Content Marketing
- Non-Profit Marketing
- Audience Growth & Engagement
- Viral Content Creation
- Agency Founding & Operations
- Story-Driven Marketing Strategy
- Client Relations & Campaign Strategy
- Multi-platform Content Distribution
- Real Estate Rezoning
- Historic Preservation
Great Story
Whether you need a creative director, a marketing strategist, or a filmmaker who can do both — let's connect.