Since 1998 the folks at Calamari Productions have been creating, producing and directing worldwide programming in many genres and across all media. What began as a small office in a spare bedroom has now grown into a multifaceted television and new media production company. Calamari Productions is headquartered in Indianapolis and now has satellite offices in New York City and Austin, Texas.
Karen Grau
Calamari Productions President and Executive Producer Karen Grau brings over 20 years of broadcast experience to all Calamari projects. Karen directs and manages the creative vision that has put the company on the cutting edge of news, documentary and series programming. Karen founded Calamari Productions in 1995. Today, she continues to take a hands-on approach to all Calamari programming, from show conception to development to executive producing to final production.
Karen began her broadcast career in radio news and quickly moved into television. Karen created, produced and hosted syndicated PBS talk shows that gained national attention and awards. Karen’s professional career also includes three years as Deputy Legislative Director to Indiana Governor (now U.S. Senator) Evan Bayh. Her responsibilities included preparing and managing all legislation proposed by the Governor. Her work included analyzing the content and fiscal impact of legislation drafted by over 40 state agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor’s office. Karen prepared legislative briefings for statewide and national speeches and assisted in writing three, State of the State addresses.
In 1998, Karen made history by becoming the first television director/producer to gain state Supreme Court access allowing cameras inside child welfare juvenile courts, venues that are—by law—closed to the media and the public. Since that time, numerous states have opened their juvenile courtrooms to Karen and the Calamari team. Calamari has turned that trust and precious access into unprecedented, award-winning documentary and series production that continues today…programs for networks such as NBC, MSNBC, A&E, MTV, Court TV, Dateline NBC, PBS and more.
After more than a decade of ratings success and critical acclaim, Calamari Productions continues to create, produce and direct worldwide programming in all genres across all mediums.
Chip Warren
Chip Warren (our VP of Production & New Media Development) joined Calamari in 2008 after his career path landed him on the media company's doorstep. He arrived with a hodge-podge of professional experiences that lend themselves well to the we-do-it-all nature of Calamari Productions.
Chip began his experience with at-risk kids in a juvenile detention center in Reno, Nevada in 1986. As an offender.
Fast forward fifteen years, and you’d find him working as a consultant with New York City’s social services agency working on the ground in job centers throughout the five boroughs, helping line staff overhaul the way they provide services.
Finally, his tour of the social services and corrections spectrum came full circle as the Vice President of Production and Educational Media Development for Calamari Productions, a role that put him back on the frontline in juvenile courts, detention centers and prisons. This range of experience gives him a broad perspective on the human and systemic issues that define the challenges of helping at-risk kids and families.