CDA Films

Hello, my name is Sam. I am the owner of CDA Films, as well as a former podcast host, a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a rabid Seattle Seahawks fan. I genuinely love making wedding films and I consider it my passion, so to ensure your experience is as good as mine I wrote out a little bit about myself. It can be scary letting a stranger into your life so intimately, so I hope this gives you a chance to feel a bit more comfortable reaching out.

CDA stands for Coeur d'Alene, the city nestled along Coeur d'Alene Lake in northern Idaho. Both the town and lake are named after the local Native American tribe with the same name. French fur trappers said these natives had "Hearts of Awls" because they were tough traders, and the name stuck. I grew up there, with it's long, frigid winters and lacking the urbane comforts of coastal city life it was indeed a tough place to grow up. Tough, but very beautiful, and that beauty has inspired me in my work ever since. I like to think by working with me you're getting a peek into this world that may be far from your own. My work is inspired by the North, with it's miles of forests, lakes and mountains. My first weddings were there, and if you scout through my videos you'll even find some more recent ones I did during several stints going back.

I remember being very young when I decided I wanted to make movies. I was a history obsessed six years old making World War Two movies in my backyard. When I was in High School I transitioned to comedies, where I made video skits with my friends. These were bawdy films satirical of our school and our teachers. For some reason we always decided it was a good idea to show these teachers, and for some reason we always managed to avoid getting in trouble.

After high school I spent a year at Colorado Film School, then back to Idaho at the University of Idaho before transferring once more to San Francisco State University where I graduated with a degree in film. I did the whole film school thing and it taught me a lot, but honestly what made me grow the most was working in San Francisco. This company was my only source of income in the most expensive city in America, and I was spending almost every minute of my free time working on the business, trying to stay afloat while paying for school. I got to film some pretty cool stuff, like Nancy Pelosi backstage at a private gala or Vanilla Ice playing for a company retreat. One time Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank even gave me business advice after I filmed an interview with him!

Since then I've moved to Texas where you find me now. I moved to Austin for the food, the music, and the beautiful Southern women. Please let me know if you have any questions. I know the wedding planning process is crazy so if it's easier to hop on the phone or zoom or even meet in person I'm always willing.