Ben Steinbauer

Directing

Ben Steinbauer

Born July 28, 1977 · Wichita, Kansas, USA (age 49)

Ben Steinbauer is a documentary director, producer and showrunner known for finding humor and humanity in unexpected places. His feature documentary Winnebago Man was called “one of the funniest documentaries ever made” by Michael Moore and named one of Roger Ebert’s favorite films of 2010. His most recent feature, Chop & Steele, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was released theatrically…

Known For

Chop & SteeleChop & Steele · 2022
Chop & Steele
★ 7.62022
MovieDocumentaryComedy
Follows childhood friends turned professional comedians, Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, the founders of the Found Footage Festival. When Nick and Joe book their gag strongman routine on unsuspecting morning news shows, their pranks go viral and land them in federal court with a vengeful media conglomerate. The stress of the lawsuit and pressure to continue their pranks threatens their livelihood and tests their lifelong friendship.
Winnebago ManWinnebago Man · 2010
Winnebago Man
★ 6.62010
MovieDocumentaryComedy
Jack Rebney is the most famous man you've never heard of - after cursing his way through a Winnebago sales video, Rebney's outrageously funny outtakes became an underground sensation and made him an internet superstar. Filmmaker Ben Steinbauer journeys to the top of a mountain to find the recluse who unwittingly became the "Winnebago Man".
Sweethearts of the Prison RodeoSweethearts of the Prison Rodeo · 2010
Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo
2010
MovieDocumentary
Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo' goes behind prison walls to follow convict cowgirls on their journey to the 2007 Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo. In 2006, female inmates were allowed to participate for the first time. In a state with the highest female incarceration rate in the country, these women share common experiences such as broken homes, drug abuse and alienation from their children. Since 1940, the Oklahoma State Penitentiary has held an annual 'Prison Rodeo'. Part Wild West show and part coliseum-esque spectacle, it's one of the last of its kind - a relic of the American penal system. Prisoners compete on wild-broncs and bucking bulls, risking life-long injuries. For inmates like Danny Liles, a 14-year veteran of the rodeo, the chance to battle livestock offers a brief respite from prison life. Within this strange arena the prisoners become the heroes while the public and guards applaud
Bad Guy #2Bad Guy #2 · 2015
Bad Guy #2
★ 6.22015
MovieHorrorAction
When you're the #2 Bad Guy, your days are usually numbered.
Five Time ChampionFive Time Champion · 2012
Five Time Champion
★ 6.22012
MovieDrama
While the young scientist, Julius, steadfastly researches the asexual reproduction of worms, his natural curiosity leads him to discover some inconvenient truths about those around him. He witnesses his mother's infidelity and suspects his grandfather for the same, all while he believes he is losing his best friend Shiley to a rival named Chase. These disappointments are forefront while he also wrestles with his father's mysterious departure years ago. Julius keeps a diligent eye, but unfortunately, all of his heartbreakingly acute observation seems to prove that no solution will restore the people he cares about to their appropriate roles. How can Julius hold together a family that seems as though none of its parts can stay intact? How can he build his own romantic relationships under the shadow of rumors about his father's homosexuality?
The Flaming Lips: U.F.O's At The ZooThe Flaming Lips: U.F.O's At The Zoo · 2007
The Flaming Lips: U.F.O's At The Zoo
★ 4.02007
MovieMusic
The Flaming Lips’ U.F.O.s At The Zoo: The Legendary Concert In Oklahoma City captures the over-the-top spectacle of the band’s 2006 homecoming performance. Filmed at the Zoo Amphitheater in front of a capacity crowd of manic fans, U.F.O.s At The Zoo delivers the sonic and visual sensory overload that is The Flaming Lips live experience.
Summercamp!Summercamp! · 2006
Summercamp!
2006
MovieDocumentary
Anybody who ever went to Summer Camp will surely be able to relate to this documentary. It deals with a few weeks at a Summer Camp for young folk, aged 6 to 15. We are introduced to the main element of the more troubled campers, an introvert, a bully,a passive-aggressive,and others.
The Fearless FreaksThe Fearless Freaks · 2005
The Fearless Freaks
★ 7.12005
MovieMusicDocumentary
Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980s. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

Filmography

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Sweethearts of the Prison RodeoSweethearts of the Prison Rodeo · 2010
Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo
2010
MovieDocumentary
Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo' goes behind prison walls to follow convict cowgirls on their journey to the 2007 Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo. In 2006, female inmates were allowed to participate for the first time. In a state with the highest female incarceration rate in the country, these women share common experiences such as broken homes, drug abuse and alienation from their children. Since 1940, the Oklahoma State Penitentiary has held an annual 'Prison Rodeo'. Part Wild West show and part coliseum-esque spectacle, it's one of the last of its kind - a relic of the American penal system. Prisoners compete on wild-broncs and bucking bulls, risking life-long injuries. For inmates like Danny Liles, a 14-year veteran of the rodeo, the chance to battle livestock offers a brief respite from prison life. Within this strange arena the prisoners become the heroes while the public and guards applaud

Camera Operator

Five Time ChampionFive Time Champion · 2012
Five Time Champion
★ 6.22012
MovieDrama
While the young scientist, Julius, steadfastly researches the asexual reproduction of worms, his natural curiosity leads him to discover some inconvenient truths about those around him. He witnesses his mother's infidelity and suspects his grandfather for the same, all while he believes he is losing his best friend Shiley to a rival named Chase. These disappointments are forefront while he also wrestles with his father's mysterious departure years ago. Julius keeps a diligent eye, but unfortunately, all of his heartbreakingly acute observation seems to prove that no solution will restore the people he cares about to their appropriate roles. How can Julius hold together a family that seems as though none of its parts can stay intact? How can he build his own romantic relationships under the shadow of rumors about his father's homosexuality?

Associate Producer

The Fearless FreaksThe Fearless Freaks · 2005
The Fearless Freaks
★ 7.12005
MovieMusicDocumentary
Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980s. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

Additional Camera