MEET ONCE FILMS - OUR NEW MAMA SAID, MAMA SAID PARTNER
Who We Are
We’re a close-knit group of creative zealots, and we make short films. We’re purposeful and agile — and we apply our talents to create rich, compelling, beautiful stories that connect people.
Not only do we care deeply about our work and take a lot of pride in what we do, we’ve also been honored with some of the most prestigious awards in the industry.
Our team is purpose-built for the work we do. We’re high speed, low drag, and take a holistic approach to our project storytelling. It’s all here, from start to finish…
One company: Once Films.
Right in the heart of Midtown Alley, St. Louis—the city's creative core—our studio finds itself among the finest cultural landmarks, innovative creative agencies, and eclectic dining spots. Our space is not just a place to work; it's a boutique environment steeped in local artistry, craftsmanship, and artifacts of the history of St. Louis itself. It's adorned with mementos and references to the many projects we've had the privilege to be part of, a reflection of the love we have for our work and community.
In 2018, we became the proud owners of the historic building at 3029 Locust Street. Following a messy 14-month renovation, we opened our doors in the summer of 2019, breathing new life into a structure that has been a landmark for over a century. This space, originally housing the Locomobile Company and later Premier Film & Recording, has a storied past that includes being the first recording studio in St. Louis hosting legendary artists like Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Bing Crosby, and Ike & Tina Turner. It even served as the backdrop for Marlon Perkins's "Wild Kingdom" and pioneering commercials in advertising’s golden era, with the Missouri Historical Society cataloging its significant contributions. A historical plaque outside our doors invites visitors to delve into our building's rich legacy, one we are honored to continue.
Our commitment to innovation and sustainability is woven into the fabric of our studio. With roof-mounted solar panels that supply all our energy needs and more, we ensure that every piece of equipment and technology—from cameras to computers, lighting, and even vehicles—is powered by renewable energy. Recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal and Entrepreneur’s Quarterly as a benchmark for modern creative spaces, our studio has played a pivotal role in the revitalization of our neighborhood and reflection of St. Louis’ renaissance . The St. Louis Business Journal’s Building 2020 Award stands as a testament to our efforts, a distinction that humbles and inspires us.
Embracing modernity for us means embracing flexibility. Our studio is designed as an open, modular space that adapts to our creative and functional needs. It serves as our true home, providing a grounding space after travels or intense project deadlines. It reflects our current needs while remaining agile for future adaptations. Surrounded by inspiration daily, we thrive in an environment that’s as dynamic and evolving as the projects we undertake.
ONCE FILMS is now the Co-Executive Producers of PAPA RAY'S VINTAGE VINYL ROADSHOW, airing it's 3rd season on National PBS, beginning April 3rd, 2026. We cannot even explain how excited we all are to be working with this 32-Emmy Award Winning production company. A HUGE THANK YOU TO CHRIS RYAN AND THE ENTIRE ONCE FILMS TEAM. Working with you has truly been A DREAM COME TRUE.
- WE ARE SO VERY PROUD TO INTRODUCE OUR 2026 CAUSE -
A Bit of Background Foster Together, formerly South County Foster Closet, was created in March 2018 when a group of moms in St. Louis, Missouri decided to take a step of faith. They began collecting clothing, shoes, and baby items to be sorted and passed along to children in foster care, free of charge. Since then, thousands of children in the St. Louis area and beyond have been impacted by this ministry, turned 501c3. Our prayer is that God's love would be shared with every child we serve - that through dignity and respect they would deeply understand their intrinsic worth and value.
THANK YOU TO NINE PBS FOR ALLOWING MAMA SAID, MAMA SAID
F YOU HAVEN'T BECOME A MEMBER - THERE'S STILL TIME!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE WONDERFUL KRANZBERG ARTS FOUNDATION
THE GRANDEL THEATRE 3610 GRANDEL SQUARE ST. LOUIS, MO 63103
A huge thank you to Nine PBS for allowing us to be a part of their March Membership Drive. If you haven't become a member yet - you have time!
Watch the show & let us know what you think. https://video.ninepbs.org/video/mama-said-mama-said-2024-mtlk7i/
Sioux, Terry, Kelley and Laura are looking forward to reading YOUR story!
https://video.ninepbs.org/video/mama-said-mama-said-2024-mt
Check Out Our First 2023 PBS Episode:
https://www.pbs.org/video/mama-said-mama-said-sjl7vi/
THE MAMA SAID, MAMA SAID CO-PRODUCERS/CO-DIRECTORS/EMCEE
TERRY BAKER
LAURA EDWARDS-RAY
Terry Baker is the mother of 5 adult children, "Mimi" to 6 precious grands, and wife to Jim, her husband of 53 years. (Yes, she was almost a child bride!) A retired Early Childhood Special Ed Speech Language Pathologist, she's an avid reader and story teller. Terry fell in love with Mama Said, Mama Said in 2014 and is delighted to be a
Terry Baker is the mother of 5 adult children, "Mimi" to 6 precious grands, and wife to Jim, her husband of 53 years. (Yes, she was almost a child bride!) A retired Early Childhood Special Ed Speech Language Pathologist, she's an avid reader and story teller. Terry fell in love with Mama Said, Mama Said in 2014 and is delighted to be a co-producer/director for the show that both she and her husband have been cast members.
LAURA EDWARDS-RAY
LAURA EDWARDS-RAY
Laura is the very proud Mom of two daughters - one a Special Education teacher at Hazelwood Central Sr High, and the other working and living in Nicaragua (why, oh why couldn't she have fallen in love with someone in Ballwin?), and one great stepson in Charleston. She's the co-owner of Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop, the Executive Pr
Laura is the very proud Mom of two daughters - one a Special Education teacher at Hazelwood Central Sr High, and the other working and living in Nicaragua (why, oh why couldn't she have fallen in love with someone in Ballwin?), and one great stepson in Charleston. She's the co-owner of Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop, the Executive Producer (with her husband Tom) of 'Papa Ray's Vintage Vinyl Roadshow', author of the 'Brain Dead in the Burbs & Cooking Your Way Back to Sanity" series. She also wrote her first screenplay, "Walking on Lily Pads - Unfortunately a True Story", & Vintage Vinyl - The Magazine. For 10 years, she has been very proud to be a Co-Producer/Director of this wonderful show. Her dear friends, Terry Baker and Sioux Roslawski became her partners in 2020. For four years, she was Co-Producer/Director of "The Story Bee Show - STL" with Wyntra Storms. Laura also co-stars in the YouTube cooking show with her two BFF's, Regi Drake & Fritzie Reeves, called "Brain Dead & Cooking with Friends"...and yes, she knows this photo makes her look like she has gas.
SIOUX ROSLAWSKI
SIOUX ROSLAWSKI
Sioux Roslawski is a middle school teacher who retired and immediately begged to be put back into the classroom. Now, she's found such a heavenly job, she figures at some point she'll be so falling apart, she'll need to be wheeled in, strapped onto a dolly Hannibal Lecter-style, because she'll still want to teach. Sioux is a mother of tw
Sioux Roslawski is a middle school teacher who retired and immediately begged to be put back into the classroom. Now, she's found such a heavenly job, she figures at some point she'll be so falling apart, she'll need to be wheeled in, strapped onto a dolly Hannibal Lecter-style, because she'll still want to teach. Sioux is a mother of two and grammy to four. In her spare time she rescues golden retrievers and freelance writes. Her proudest writing accomplishment? The publication of her historical novel about the Tulsa Race Massacre, Greenwood Gone: Henry's Story. Sioux has been on the Mama Said, Mama Said stage twice, and she's now thrilled to be one of Laura's lackeys. .
KELLEY MAHER HIATT
KELLEY MAHER HIATT
KELLEY MAHER HIATT
Kelley is an experienced film and television Location Manager who has worked on popular TV shows such as Station 19, This Is Us, and Chicago Fire. She produced an award-winning documentary “Breaking and Entering”, which follows everyday people as they try to break world records. Kelley is currently the St. Louis Film Office Manager at Ex
Kelley is an experienced film and television Location Manager who has worked on popular TV shows such as Station 19, This Is Us, and Chicago Fire. She produced an award-winning documentary “Breaking and Entering”, which follows everyday people as they try to break world records. Kelley is currently the St. Louis Film Office Manager at Explore St. Louis. She is an advocate for the St. Louis production community and is dedicated to attracting productions to the St. Louis region.
JUDI DIAMOND
KELLEY MAHER HIATT
KELLEY MAHER HIATT
Judi is a Mother, (daughter Shira and son Leo), a Daughter (Dad from England, Mom a Jewish Cowgirl from Wyoming) Sister (the youngest of four, 2 boy 1 girl) and friend (she is a friend to all unless they are mean).
Originally from L.A., she got into the “biz” young, and has felt blessed to parlay her creativity and talents into film, tele
Judi is a Mother, (daughter Shira and son Leo), a Daughter (Dad from England, Mom a Jewish Cowgirl from Wyoming) Sister (the youngest of four, 2 boy 1 girl) and friend (she is a friend to all unless they are mean).
Originally from L.A., she got into the “biz” young, and has felt blessed to parlay her creativity and talents into film, television, radio and digital media locally and nationally.
Upbeat, free-Spirited open & optimistic, Judi looks to the positive with an attitude for gratitude in her heart. Judi loves to connect by sharing her life stories, especially all her imperfections and flaws, to inspire others and empower them to embrace their own inner beauty, just as they are.