John Paget

John Paget is a documentary filmmaker known for his work highlighting American communities and urban revitalization through film. Paget began his filmmaking career by documenting Route 66, traveling the historic highway multiple times from Chicago to Los Angeles. He directed, shot, and edited the documentaries "Route 66: An American Odyssey" and "Route 66: Return to the Road with Martin Milner," which are recognized among Route 66 historians and advocates. During the production of these films, Paget collaborated with notable figures such as singer Bobby Troup, TV actor Martin Milner, Seligman barber Angel Delgadillo, and author Michael Wallis.

Paget's Route 66 documentaries explore the stories of small towns and main streets facing challenges from freeways, franchise expansion, and suburban development. His films have contributed to renewed interest in Route 66 and inspired community revitalization efforts. Beyond Route 66, Paget has produced and directed nationally broadcast feature documentaries on topics including Elvis impersonators and Alcatraz Prison. His work as a director of photography includes projects for international nonprofits, TV networks, and Fortune 500 companies, focusing on civic storytelling and urban development.

Paget later focused on Buffalo, New York, where he created a series of films documenting the city's transformation. His short films, including "This Place Matters" and "Buffalo: America's Best Designed City," have been recognized for their role in capturing and supporting Buffalo's revitalization. Paget received the Alex Osborn Award for Creativity from the American Advertising Federation of Buffalo for his contributions.

With collaborator Chris Elisara, Paget co-founded First+Main Films, a creative studio dedicated to producing films that promote civic pride and community engagement. To further the impact of place-based storytelling, First+Main Films established the Better Cities Film Festival, which curates and presents films about urban planning, community development, and placemaking. The festival has received hundreds of submissions and hosted events in cities worldwide, including Milan and Shenzhen.

Paget has also delivered a TED Talk titled "How to keep your hometown from becoming a ghost town," reflecting on his experiences as a filmmaker focused on civic stories. His documentary "Route 66: The Main Street of America" offers a portrait of the towns and individuals along the historic highway, contributing to ongoing conversations about American main streets, urban renewal, and community resilience.