Who We Are:

Southern Reel is Zac Brown’s Atlanta-based Film and Video Production Company.  Southern Reel tours with Zac Brown Band, capturing backstage footage and life on the road with the band and crew.  In addition, we showcase all that our parent company, Southern Ground, encompasses. Our portfolio ranges from music videos for ZBB and Southern Ground Artists to highlighting the knife-making process, and anything in between. 

Our team is made up of 6 dynamic rockstars.  We would love to work with you!

COLE CASSELL

Raised just outside of Columbia, South Carolina, I began my film career as an intern and occasional actor for the Food Network show Good Eats. After joining the crew full time and watching Alton Brown closely for 3 years direct, star, and shape Good Eats, I decided to enter the world of Cinematography.

As a one-man band, I continued to work throughout the music industry and shot the likes of  Kid Rock, Faith Hill, John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Emmy Lou Harris, Kenny Chesney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and worked on documentaries, most notably Bully, and other projects throughout the country.

After working with Tim McGraw in 2011, I signed on with Zac Brown’s Southern Reel where I get to showcase all that Southern Ground entails. In my free time, I like to shoot, edit, and occasionally backpack the North Georgia Mountains.

KYLE COATNEY RIPPEY

I was born and raised in Ames, Iowa. Although the word Iowa sounds a bit like Ohio and Idaho, I would like to make it clear I’m not from these states, although I’m sure those are also nice states to grow up in.

My first career was as a middle school biology teacher, a job of which I insist on sharing with everybody in the form of mini science lessons I force upon people.

My first award winning film, Fishing for Free, came in 2008 and signified the first collaboration with Cole Cassell. After letting this success make me quite arrogant, I now as a full blown artist, purchase many black clothes, and look for nice artsy hats to wear. I also frequent galleries.

SALLY MARTIN

I was born and raised on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and graduated from Clemson University with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Advertising/PR. While in college, I worked with Tiger Paw Productions and learned the behind-the-scenes world of event/concert coordinating. I also held an internship in Nashville, TN with Country Music Television (CMT) in the Corporate Communications department. Following my love of travel, I spent a summer in Brussels, Belgium studying International Communications at the Thomas Green Clemson University Brussel’s Center.

Shortly after graduating, I began my career at Southern Ground as Fan Club Coordinator for the Zac Brown Band Fan Club, the Zamily. After gaining incredible experience with the Fan Club, I joined the Southern Reel team as Production Coordinator. I hold down the fort as the only lady on board.

In my free time, I enjoy boating and being on the water, either lakeside or beachside. I also enjoy spending time in the North Georgia Mountains and going to the gun range.

MIKE WILLIAMS

I was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. Growing up I spent a lot of time outdoors – finding a love for rock climbing, cycling, hiking, travel and really anything that involves playing outside.

I’ve backpacked Europe, cycled across the US on a tandem bicycle (with my amazing wife, Candace), and have been a part of 5 mission trips to orphanages in Cambodia (2 of which I lead).

I graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Business Marketing, but jumped into the freelance production world as a PA – working on set of countless TV commercials, music videos, and the occasional feature film.  Through that, I ended up with a job at Sixthman. Starting as a PA, I quickly moved up the ranks as Social Media Manager and Creative Producer for multi-million dollar music festivals at sea.

Flash forward 4 years.  One of my best friends called me and said, “Hey, I need a Media Manager and I want you on my team.” Having some experience in this, I jumped at the chance to work with Cole and the Southern Reel team.

I have a beautiful daughter, Ryder. Two dogs – Sadie, and Jeeodi. And if you’d like to learn more about me, follow me on twitter @mikeydubs22.

ANDY SAPP

Born and raised throughout the South, I developed an eye for art and photography through skate culture by way of assemble-editing skate videos between two VCR’s.  Graduating from the Atlanta College of Art in 2001, I worked as a hired gun doing graphic design and web development while alternately pursuing my dream as a racecar driver.  In 2006, as my involvement grew with professional drifting (the motorsport, not vagrancy… although the two are quite similar), I shot 19 cities in 30 days to edit the first full-feature documentary on the sport, ”Slide America“.  Since my introduction to After Effects, I’ve become obsessed with motion graphics and introducing new levels of production value to projects.  These graphics can be seen in the new Stone Mountain Lasershow as well as the Speedhunters 2012 Video of the Year: ”Keep Drifting Fun“.

I can occasionally be seen playing a zombie in the television series “The Walking Dead”.  When I’m not working, I can be found skating pools, doing ridiculous things in cars, watching 80′s horror films, or at a thrash metal show getting thrown around a mosh pit.

Contact Information

E-mail: info@southernreel.net