Holdfast. "Real Life" live acoustic video

We recently completed a live acoustic music video for the band Holdfast. They’re a super talented group of really authentic guys and we loved being a part of this project. Gillian handled all the set design and handled all the camera work. We originally planned to do this outside at sunset but we had been getting thunder storms every day for weeks and decided to retreat to safety in the studio which gave us predictable light and conditions for as many takes as was needed.

They asked for a really stripped down, one camera, one take approach which sounds simple at first mention, but then when you actually start filming the truth is that a single mistake can ruin the whole take and there’s no way to blend the takes together. The guys brought all their audio and recording equipment and recorded 7 takes. Once you start getting your marks all dialed in you get really cool shots in each take, but it’s impossible to recreate the exact same magic in each one so you’re going to just have to choose your favorite one and go with it! Ultimately #6 was the one we went with.

Here’s a link to the song on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2FKrE8ILj7tVzuhgW8AP0I?si=b487b8faa9d94952

Ansel Pierce for Wilhelmina Denver

We did a test shoot with our new buddy Ansel Pierce of Wilhelmina Denver. Gillian did the styling and we shot in both studio and location in Rino district, Denver. Then stopped for Shake Shack. Shot all of these on my new digital medium format Fujifilm GFX50r and Fujifilm 45-100. I just love the image quality and usability out of this camera. The files are impeccable and superior to even higher resolution files from full frame cameras. The black and whites are also so good it’s inspired me to shoot black and white again.

Oh, The Power

A dance to "Oh The Power" by Kari Jobe. Created for Denver United Church's Passion Sunday presentation. I was asked by Denver United Church located on South Broadway in Denver, CO to collaborate in creating a creative video sequence to be used in part of their emotional Passion Sunday presentation, which is otherwise known as Palm Sunday, the Sunday preceding Good Friday which is the day Christians celebrate Christ’s crucifixion. Lyndsi, the creative director mentioned she had a couple dancers willing to participate and wondered what we could create. I suggested using the church’s very cool large video display as an animated backdrop for the dance performance. “What about purple with a slow upward graphic?” I asked. “That’s amazing because purple is the color scheme I was thinking of!” she replied. Ok, I guess we’re on the same page.

I’m really happy with this end result as it’s just a matter of kicking around ideas and collaborating with other inspired imaginations.

Dance and Choreography: Emily Willett & Reagan Kilpatrick
Produced by Lyndsi Greer
Music: “Oh the power” by Kari Jobe
Directed, shot, edited by Gus Cantavero. Shot with Canon C300II and Sigma 18-35.

Quasar Science lights added to the kit

I want to do more to alert clients as to the cool equipment that’s available in my kit so that we can be more collaborative. How will you know the capabilities if I’m not letting you know? So, in that spirit I’ve added 3 amazingly cool lights from Quasar Science to my kit. I now have one 2’ rainbow tube, which is commonly referred to as RGBW, meaning it can mix any color for a desired effect, saturation or color temperature. It can also do some effects for narrative work like cop lights, tv, club or short circuit. I’ve also added two 2’ crossfade tubes which fade from warm to cool. You can see the demonstration in my self portrait below. They can also just be used as normal key and fill lights and are small enough to pack in my travel kit. So, let’s get creative!

See you on set.

Self portrait lit with 3 Quasar Science 2’ tubes. 1 rainbow tube and two crossfades.

Self portrait lit with 3 Quasar Science 2’ tubes. 1 rainbow tube and two crossfades.

"Rivers, Paths and Bridges" an exploration of Bear Creek Park

After moving to Denver, CO from CT this year I was fortunate enough to have Bear Creek Park just down the street from my house in Lakewood. This is a little compilation of shots I did at the park over several weeks using my DJI Phantom 4 drone and some locked off shots with Sony a7SII.

Coming from the east coast I did not grow up with accessible parks and outdoors experiences so this is me paying respect to my new home and all the inspiration it gives me.
Sony a7SII with Sony 16-35f4 and Zeiss Loxia 50/2
DJI Phantom 4
Color graded with FilmConvert in FCP X