About Me

Member Since 2022 | Views: 837

The 1 minute hit list:

Multi-format commercial & narrative cinematographer.
Experienced producer/director - wizard with budgets, logistics, crew, and local vendors.
Digital Camera Systems: Sony Venice (owner op), Arri Alexa (Mini, LF, 35), RED, and prosumer/ENG digital cinema cameras.
Motion Picture Cameras: 16 & 8mm : Arri SR3, Aaton XTR, Bolex, Super 8.

FILMMAKER ORIGIN STORY

My filmmaking career began as a lighting technician, then a gaffer for some of Canada's most sought after cinematographers. As a cinematographer myself, I've shot a documentary series for Amazon Prime, PBS, and other networks. I now focus on commercial work, primarily editorial or retail fashion. I continue, however to shoot music videos, narrative, and documentary projects. As a filmmaking educator I have a deep comprehension of camera technology, the science of optics, and the practical application within our art form. I have created, probably the best video on the science of cinema optic testing on the internet (https://youtu.be/9p5qySx0etU?si=JJN3EJVubWBhcEKe).

BUT ALSO THIS:

As an experienced director & producer, I can offer remote productions the ability to hit the ground running by leveraging my relationships with local film supply vendors, crew, and locations. I'm very well versed in budgets and have a successful track record of assembling the right resources, maintaining a high level of quality, and brokering deals for the budget conscious.

MY BEFORE FILMMAKING ORIGIN STORY:

My other skills come from my early years as a professional musician (bass player), and as a rock climbing guide. I'm well versed in both of those worlds and can offer insight and access that are often beyond what a producer can navigate without a specialized fixer. I'm comfortable with a great deal of physical suffering & stress and can equally handle long days in the mountains, long drives in a tour bus, or long days on set.

THOSE WHO CAN DO, SHOULD TEACH:

I love seeing people learn and grow - and have chosen to devote part of my time to education. I've been instructing cinematography (see CV), presenting at expositions and conferences, and creating popular filmmaking educational content online for more than 7 years. You can find some of my highly viewed YouTube tutorials and reviews here: https://www.youtube.com/@vistek

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

My work is graciously supported by FUJIFILM North America, SONY Canada, ROSCO DMG Lumière, and NANLUX Americas.

I am an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers.

LANGUAGE, PLEASE!

I am bilingual, with a DELF B2 certified level of french - which I gained while living abroad in France. I wouldn't say I'm perfectly fluent (working on it!), but I can work in a completely french environment. I can say a few things in Spanish at parties or Mexican restaurants.

BE INSPIRED!

I'm continually inspired by great fashion, documentary, and street photographers. My greatest source of influence in filmmaking comes from the films of Jean Luc Godard, François Truffaut, Ingmar Bergman, Alfred Hitchcock, Jacques Tati, Stanley Kubrick, Yorgos Lanthimos, Alfonso Cuarón, and Andrei Tarkovsky.

HOW I KEEP IT FRESH:

I believe that a life well lived is the best source of creativity. The only way to make your harvests plentiful and sustainable is to rotate your crops. Playing music, rock climbing, and cycling all continue to feature prominently in my day-to-day life. I also receive a great deal of my artistic inspiration and joie de vivre from travelling, staring at great art in museums, deep philosophical conversations, breathing in forest and mountain air, showing my gratitude, and eating ice cream sandwiches.

LOVE, KINDNESS, AND NEURODIVERGENCE:

Most importantly, I pride myself in bringing great value to productions with my experience, energy, and maturity. I work continually with a variety of clients and budget levels while staffing my crew with some of the best technicians in Toronto. I staff my crew with not only some of the best technicians in the city, but also work to make my sets equitable. I have a personal mandate to create opportunities for those who have traditionally been shut out of the "boys club." I am an LGBTQ+ advocate, pro-diversity, and lover of all humans and animals.

And if you haven't figured it out by now - I have a soupçonne of neurodivergency.

Thank you for reading ✌🏻
(you should get an award)

I have been in the industry since 2011.