By Brandi Makuski STEVENS POINT — A married couple in Stevens Point, who co-own the production company Rad Productions USA, has been nominated for the 2024 Chicago Midwest Emmy Awards, underscoring their remarkable work in film and storytelling. Jason Rajasinghe, 32, a cinematographer with roots in Sri Lanka and New Jersey, and Hope Lofgren-Schmidt, 34, a yoga instructor from New London, Wis., met in Sri Lanka in a fateful meeting that set their lives on a unique path.
Hope was backpacking and practicing yoga when she encountered Jason, who was working on building his film company. The pair were engaged within six months and married soon after, eventually deciding to bring their talents to Central Wisconsin. Rad Productions USA, the couple’s award-winning company based in Stevens Point, aims to create powerful and captivating video content that tells stories beyond the visuals. Their tagline, “What’s Your Story?” encapsulates their mission: not just to produce videos, but to connect audiences with the authentic stories behind them, helping locals appreciate what’s in their own backyard. Rajasinghe and Lofgren-Schmidt bring over 15 years of international experience, working with their regional production outfit in Asia, ifilmsrilanka.com, and using top-of-the-line Red Cinema equipment and aerial cinematography to give their work a cinematic edge. The Emmy nomination highlights two local productions—one for the Portage County Business Council, and another for Stoney Acres Farm in Athens, Wis. These films are also part of Rad Productions USA’s broader effort to use cinematic storytelling to help people outside Wisconsin recognize the rich stories within the state. “We’re excited to position Central Wisconsin as a unique destination for filmmaking,” Rajasinghe said. “Our goal has always been to elevate local stories, to make people outside the region think, ‘That’s in Wisconsin? I’d love to learn more.'” The couple’s journey into filmmaking was anything but conventional. Rajasinghe, who attended art school in Singapore before dropping out to pursue cinematography on his own, learned from a mentor who worked on Hollywood productions like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” He began his career by shooting small commercials in Sri Lanka, later growing his expertise with major contracts. When he and Hope returned to Wisconsin, they founded Rad Productions USA to expand their storytelling mission locally. The Emmy-nominated projects, both in the Chicago/Midwest Emmys categories for Outstanding Achievement in Commercial and Branded Content, have already gained critical acclaim. Their work for Stoney Acres Farm won both Gold (People’s Telly) and Silver (Directing) at the 45th Telly Awards, reflecting their dedication to creating unique and high-quality content. Their tagline isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s their mission. The duo has taken an active role in mentoring the next generation of filmmakers, establishing an internship program in Sri Lanka to provide budding creatives with the opportunities that Rajasinghe lacked early in his career. The Emmy awards ceremony is set for Nov. 2 in Chicago, and the couple will attend, hopeful for a win but already valuing the recognition that comes with the nomination. “The nomination itself is a victory for us,” Lofgren Schmidt said. “It shows what’s possible when you tell the right story the right way.” Rad Productions USA’s social media showcases the heart of their work: Instagram YouTube channel Yoga/Wellness with Hope For more about their work, visit ifilmsrilanka.com .
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