FLAWLESS EXECUTION. BEAUTIFUL IMAGES.
MADE WITH HEART AND HUMANITY.
Circle Pictures is a woman-owned broadcast commercial production company that creates unforgettable visual stories for ad agencies and brands. Founded in 2011 by executive producer, Sue Karpfinger, Circle Pictures has built a reputation as an exceptional production partner, bringing our Midwestern work ethic and down-to-earth attitude to shoots all over the country. Beyond production, we represent a roster of passionate directors, cinematographers and photographers — including several Emmy winners — who are known for work that magnifies our shared humanity. We are WBENC-Certified and work with both union and non-union crew and talent, tailoring our approach to best fit each project and budget.
From TV spots to multichannel campaigns, we’ve done it all. Over the years, both our clients and our crews have come to count on us not only for the excellent creative work we produce but also for the WAY that work gets done. . .
HERE’S HOW. . .
Our management style is low on ego and high on collaboration. We work hard to hear all the voices in the room, knowing it’s the best path to a fully-realized brand story that genuinely connects with people. Whether clients bring us in at the concepting stage or, later, for production or post-production, we know how to bring a vision to life in a way the whole team feels good about.
A Circle set is a calm set. It’s also a fun one. That’s because we’re beyond ready on the first day of shooting. Besides to-a-tee logistics, we’ve anticipated the unexpected and pre-planned quick solutions for situations that might come up on set. Clients have told us we make things look effortless, which they should if we’ve done our homework ahead of time. And we do.
We build fully-resourced crews from our national network of creatives, strategists and tradespeople. Because we don’t cut corners, we’re able to deliver flawless execution, from large TV campaigns to social media content, no matter how complex the concept is.
Creating safe and fair work environments for our casts and crews has always been incredibly important to us. Incredibly. Prioritizing equity within groups and individual dignity are baselines for how we manage teams.
All of us truly love what we do. And it shows in the outcome every time. When you work with Circle Pictures, expect a cut above.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER & Executive producer
Sue Karpfinger has been in commercial production for over 20 years. Before founding Circle Pictures in 2011, she quickly rose from intern to executive producer at one of the Midwest’s largest production companies, then freelanced nationwide, working with top directors and producing Recipes of America with chefs like Emeril Lagasse.
She’s partnered with brands like Marquette University, Moffitt Cancer Center, Walgreens, Toyota, and SC Johnson, earning a reputation for balancing creative integrity with client needs. A champion for directors and a trusted resource for clients, Sue is known for her fairness, honesty, and relentless problem-solving—qualities she credits to the strong women who shaped her.