I think I’ve come a long, long way in my filmmaking journey. Seriously, back in 2001, I shot my first short film on a handycam and used a VCR to edit it. That’s right—crash editing is what they called it. You know, just hitting record on one VCR and pause on another. It was chaotic, but it worked.
My ambition to become a filmmaker has always had its share of hurdles and ups and downs, but the core goal has never wavered.
My Two Guiding Principles
These two things have always been the center focus for me, the compass points on this journey:
1. The Constant Student
Always learn something from everything I shoot, edit, or produce. If I don’t walk away with a new technique, a better understanding of light, or a lesson about production flow, the whole thing was a wash. I just love film, so soaking up knowledge about it has never been difficult—usually, it’s just a time thing. Balancing family life, work, and finding time to shoot and edit is the real challenge.
2. The Feature Dream
Someday, I will direct and produce a feature film. That’s the mountain peak. And after two decades of grinding, I think I’m finally at base camp.
From Library Stacks to Crash Edits: The Early Years
My passion for film really started back in high school when I was totally fixated on making a horror film. I spent hours in the library studying film history and production. Remember, this was pre-YouTube. There were no video tutorials, no online courses, or quick Google searches on how to light a scene. You had to crack open a book!
I seriously debated going to film school but decided against it. Instead, I focused on being an autodidact, learning on my own terms. So, really, making short films for the last 20 years has been my actual film school. And you know what? Now I’m ready to graduate into feature films.
Clearing the Slate: Current Projects
I still have a little more work to do before I can fully dive into the feature planning. I’m putting the finishing touches on a few projects first:
Tying Up Loose Ends
- I’m adding the final polish to “The Final Atonement.”
- I’m re-editing “Gangsterphernia,” a short film I shot with Josh Zed way back in 2013. It deserves a fresh look.
- And of course, I have my short documentary that I’m currently in the middle of producing.
The Feature is Coming: Focusing on Indigenous Stories
Once all those projects are wrapped, I’ll be laser-focused on what the subject matter will be for my feature film.
I’m not even sure yet if I’ll write it myself, or if I’ll seek out a talented Indigenous writer for the film. All I know is that I want it to be centered on a strong Indigenous lead cast and story.
With two decades of self-taught, hands-on knowledge in my back pocket, I’m confident I’ll make an amazing film with a great story. It’s time to trade the handycam for the feature lens.