My filmmaking journey began in childhood with a Minolta Super 8mm camera and a Kodak Presstape splicer. That underlying drive to make moving images that evoke emotions became a lifelong pursuit to elevate people through storytelling that aspires to entertain thoughtfully.
I attended the American University in Washington D.C. During my freshman year, I made a supernatural-themed short film featuring Sara, the future class valedictorian. This project received top billing at the Media Festival. I considered this a good omen, and it was.
Returning to Portland, Oregon, I subsequently won a “Best of the Northwest Judges Choice” from the Alliance for Community Media for my indie feature “Twilight Man.” Willamette Week critic David Walker highlighted the editing techniques that I used to evoke the lead character's maturation and enlightenment.
Mr. Walker's encouragement helped me to focus my attention on further editorial work. Beginning at the ad agency Euro RSCG 4D DRTV, I shot and edited Allstate's “Keep the Drive” campaign with several actors speaking on the face of a driver's license to relay a message of safe driving.
At the production studio Digital Wave, I shot and edited a nonprofit documentary for the Community Transitional School subsidized by Oprah Winfrey. This school for children from unhoused families continues to provide vital education and health services for our most vulnerable citizens in Portland, Oregon, very satisfying work.
I then teamed up with songwriter and musician Tom Guernsey to bring his one hit wonder story to a wider audience, even as he suffered from the debilitating setbacks of ALS. Our collaboration had highlights such as cameos by Nils Lofgren of the E Street Band, as well as Mike Clark, founder of Portland’s famed Movie Madness shop.
I moved on to editorial work at the boutique animation studio Bent Image Lab. Working under the guidance of award winning director Chel White, I helped to bolster the company's presence in the film community through animated segments for features, commercials, and social media. Behind the scenes edits for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The 4-D Experience and David Oyelowo's directorial debut “The Water Man” are Blu-Ray special features. Recognition for one company reel appeared on Motionographer.com. Meanwhile, my post production work on Mr. White's memoir segment for Academy Award Winner Joan Gratz played at the opening night of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
I also produce videos for the Preservation Artisans Guild, shedding light on members of the historic preservation community and their so valuable artist efforts. These shorts spotlight the craftsmanship of Portland's most talented artist in regards to maintaining our heritage and knowledge of the present and the past.