Erin Babbin and Michael Sullivan are not only creative partners—they are life partners whose collaboration spans years, stories, and visuals. Since founding On The Real Film in Chicago in 2011, the duo has built a body of work rooted in documentary storytelling, art-world voices, political themes, and deeply human perspectives.

Michael brings a keen photographic eye and cinematography skills; Erin shapes narrative in the editing room, deciding what pieces of lives, moments, and conversations become stories that move people. Their process is dynamic: roles shift, feedback flows, and small choices—sometimes a few frames, sometimes a slight pacing adjustment—elevate their work.

Working together in cramped space once, then moving to their own studio, they’ve learned that physical space mirrors creative space. When you’re in a dedicated environment where both people can contribute fully, both art and relationship benefit.

What makes their work stand out is commitment to authenticity. Whether capturing artists, exploring political edges, or giving voice to those who often aren’t heard, Erin & Michael aim to make real, resonant films—not just polished visuals. Their partnership shows how mutual respect, shared values, and the courage to keep “real” at the center of your work produce art with heart.

For emerging filmmakers, their example offers guidance: nurture both craft (editing, story structure, visuals) and character (what you believe in, who you tell stories about). Create with people you trust, give space for feedback, insist on real subject matter that matters—and know that what makes work memorable is often what makes it honest.