He has shot inside Nelson Mandela's cell in South Africa and from the top of Vail in Colorado. His interview subjects have been brought to laughter and tears. His work has been seen the old-fashioned way on movie screens and the new-fashioned way on cell phones. His writing has addressed political protests in Iran and educational issues in Chicago. He brings an unparalleled passion and vision to every project, whether it takes him around the block or around the world.

 

Tom Sandak produces, shoots, writes, directs, and edits. He wears many hats, but at the end of the day he is a storyteller. Every project, no matter who the client is and how it will be distributed to the masses, requires him to pass on a message in a visually compelling and entertaining manner. His work has aired on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, FSN, SPEED, Big Ten Network, Sprint TV and SI.com.  His projects include documentaries, long form features, web and mobile content, studio and live events, and anything else you can dream up.

 

Nothing illustrates Tom’s independent spirit and work ethic more than his involvement with several independent films. For 2009's "You Are Here: A Documentary," Tom served as the Director of Photography and Field Producer under grueling conditions in Uganda to capture the story of a medical student making a difference against all odds. The film premiered at the Riverside International Film Festival and is available through Snag Films. Currently, he is finishing up a stint as Director and Producer on a jazz performance film and is serving as a Producer on a feature length documentary that tells the story of a series of basketball games from the 1960s, the social upheaval surrounding the games and the unique lives and perspectives of the participants.  

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Tom was nominated for a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award in 2010 for “My Journey,” a short that he directed, wrote and produced. In 2011, he earned a second Emmy nomination for a sports documentary series. His other honors include recognition as a Webby Award Honoree (2013), four Telly Awards (2011, 2012, 2015), and a member of teams that collected a Cynopsis Social Good Award (2016), a NATPE Mobile Video Award (2008) and a Mobile Excellence Award nomination (2008).