WORK WITH STEVE
Three possibilities
Direct
01
FOR PRODUCERS & COMPANIES
Bring me on to direct your feature, series, commercial, music video, or visual project. I’ve directed 21 feature films and know how to get ambitious work on screen without creating chaos behind the camera. Film Threat called my work “the equal of an Argento or Kubrick in their prime.” I also run efficient, focused sets and keep shooting days under 12 hours.
Available worldwide.
02
FOR SCHOOLS, FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Teach & Speak
I speak at film festivals, universities, libraries, galleries, museums, and creative organizations. My talks are practical, provocative, and built from three decades of independent filmmaking. My most requested is How to Find Investors, based on how I found financing for 21 features without studio money. I also speak on creativity, communication, perception, filmmaking, and building a career outside the traditional system.
03
FOR PRODUCERS & FILMMAKERS
Consult
I work one-on-one with filmmakers, writers, actors, producers, and other creative people to figure out how to reach their goals. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes changes everything. Every project is different, so every consultation is different, from concept and screenwriting through pre-production, production, and post.
Free 30-minute initial consultation.
BIO
Roger Ebert gave Steve's film, Firecracker, starring Karen Black and Mike Patton, a Special Jury Award on his annual Best Films of the Year list. The U.S. Library of Congress selected his film The Casserole Club (aka Sex, Lies, and Sugar), starring Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys, for its permanent collection.
Film Threat praises: “Balderson makes movies that are so gorgeous that it’s not unreasonable to say that, cinematographically at least, he’s the equal of an Argento or Kubrick in their prime. Some people have perfect vocal pitch; Steve has perfect visual composition.”
Steve’s book, Filmmaking Confidential, debuted as an Amazon and Audible best-seller. His subsequent film books, How to Find Investors and The Master Plan, were also Amazon bestsellers. He is a contributor to The Advocate and MovieMaker, and shares his filmmaking knowledge as a guest lecturer at at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
SELECTED WORK
Feature Films - all as Director
2026
SEX LOVE VENICE
GAY LOVE STORY
Daniel Bateman, Alexander Ananasso, Mink Stole.
Theatrical release, now streaming worldwide
2025
BRAINSTARE
PSYCH / SCI-FI THRILLER
World's first "live-action" feature generated entirely by A.I.
2024
BLOODY FAMOUS
MINI-SERIES / SATIRE
No. 1 Reality TV on Tubi (April 2024)
2023
ALCHEMY OF THE SPIRIT
GOTHIC SUPERNATURAL LOVE STORY
Xander Berkeley, Sarah Clarke, Mink Stole
Winner of 20+ awards: Best Director, Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Actor
2016
EL GANZO
MYSTERY / DRAMA
Susan Traylor, Anslem Richardson
Theatrical release, Winner Best Film, Best Actor Salento International Film Festival (Italy)
2011
SEX, LIES, AND SUGAR
PERIOD DRAMA (AKA THE CASSEROLE CLUB)
Kevin Richardson, Susan Traylor, Daniela Sea, Pleasant Gehman, Jane Wiedlin
U.S. Library of Congress Permanent Collection
Won 7 Independent Vision Awards including: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Picture,
Best Director, Best Cinematography
2010
STUCK!
CULT MELODRAMA
Karen Black, Mink Stole, Jane Wiedlin, Susan Traylor
Lifetime Achievement Award Mink Stole. Icon Magazine’s TOP 10 Films
2005
FIRECRACKER
TRUE CRIME / DRAMA
Karen Black, Mike Patton, Susan Traylor, Kathleen Wilhoite, Jane Wiedlin
Roger Ebert’s Best Films of 2005
Winner of 20+ awards: Best Director, Best Film, Best Actress, Best Cinematography
PRAISE
Steve Balderson's brilliant.
ROGER EBERT
Steve is one of the greats.
KAREN BLACK · OSCAR NOMINEE, GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER
He creates a family atmosphere free from egos where all the artists can be free and thrive.
KEVIN RICHARDSON · THE BACKSTREET BOYS
By the time you show up, he already knows exactly what each shot will look like. It keeps things fresh, fun, and inspired.