An anthropological tale of the emergence of mind from matter.
Send Kelp - feature documentary
In 2023 I shot time-lapse footage of kelp growing for a feature documentary project, Send Kelp by Blake McWilliam. Here is a little excerpt from the film showing the kelp growing and a behind the scenes video covering the process. I think it is the first-ever footage captured of kelp growing, which I can’t help but feel chuffed about, even if Guinness doesn’t call. It was a massively challenging sequence of shots to pull off since we needed to recreate half a cubic meter of the Pacific Ocean in my studio, not to mention keeping the specimens alive across provincial borders—keeping them cool, like a spare set of kidneys. After a few attempts, we managed to pull it off and capture some growth. Special nod of appreciation to @dylanrhyshoward for shooting and editing a (10 minute!) behind-the-scenes video.
The entire film is available to watch on Telus Originals for Alberta and BC residents. HERE
Chemical Somnia Sceenings!
This summer and into autumn Chemical Somnia screened at a handful of festivals including the Calgary International Film Festival and event installations in Europe and North America. Here are a few pics from Pukkelpop in Belgium.
Consecution Out Today!
Just released a new experimental natural history film, Consecution.
Consecution is an experimental natural history film that captures the intricate world of ice formation. Crystallographic patterns emerge as water transitions into elegant structures that are rarely experienced by our unaided senses. The original score was created by composer Ali Helnwein. You will need headphones to fully appreciate the sonic spectrum of his contribution.
PetaPixel talks with me about Chemical Somnia
Peta Pixel featured Chemical Somnia! Click this link below to dive into the process of shooting chemical reactions using macro cinematography.
Picked by the Staff of VIMEO!
Some great news came my way yesterday. Chemical Somnia was chosen as part of the VIMEO Staff Pick Curation!
CHEMICAL SOMNIA - click the poster to see the film
Collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts has included Infinitude as part of it's permanent collection. Infinitude is both a short film and an immersive installation. Follow the links to view the project.
Big Award for filming tiny things
Recently Infinity Optics recognized my macro work for Panasonic's S1H's sizzle reel and awarded me the 2020 Nelsonian Award. The award is a goldenified version of one their iconic lenses, the micromak. Big thanks to the president of Infinity Optics, Jay Margolis for enthusiastically supporting my work and congrats to the other winners!
CBC Arts: Canada Council Digital Originals →
Project Black Hole, an installation project I released in 2019 was re-stoked with support from a COVID response grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to make it available digitally. CBC Arts wrote an article about it follow the links for more info!
Across The Land
Just released the online version of an installation called across the land. Experience Canada from Alaska to Newfoundland in a one shot hyper-lapse across the country, a short timelapse film and a behind the scenes video.
A THIN BLUE LINE
Out TODAY!
A Thin Blue Line.
Below is the teaser. Navigate to the film via the link.
EATF Award
Recently I was chosen as a recipient of the EATF award. Thank you to the Edmonton Arts Council for this award and their support of my projects to date. Truthfully, I would not be able to do what I do if it wasn't for their programs. Our city is extremely fortunate to have the level of support that the City of Edmonton 1% for art/culture policy provides.
Grasping at the Roots
I had the fortune and pleasure of being a part of the exhibition Grasping at the Roots at the Mitchel Art gallery in Edmonton (opening January 16th, 2020). The video below (now at 4x speed) played as a time based piece on a large display outside the gallery. The show was later cancelled due to CoVid-19.
“Taking cues from mycorrhizae, mutually beneficial associations between fungi and plants, Grasping at the Roots is an exhibition that looks to strategies artists use to support and sustain relationships with those they work with, and also to curatorial strategies that might in turn better support artists.”
More about the project in the YouTube description or via this LINK.
PANASONIC S1H SIZZLE REEL
In the summer of 2019 I was commissioned by Panasonic to shoot macro sequences using their newly released S1H cinema camera for their promotional sizzle reel. The sizzle reel is a culmination of six short films made by six filmmakers and some of my macro work to bridge the sequences together.
I was brought in at the end of the project and only had a few weeks to give them as many sequences as I could. Given the tight schedule plant time-lapse was out and I opted to shoot dew drops evaporating and reversed the footage in post to simulate condensation. The insects were an afterthought and a welcomed challenge. In addition to getting to work with the S1H, I was provided with a set of Infinity micro/macro lenses. Infinity specializes in microscopic optics and have recently entered into the cinema market. I was the first cinematographer in the world to use their new MicroMak line outside of their factory!
Above are a few of my shots from the shoot. I had a lot of fun on this project and lit sparked a lot of new ideas for a current personal project I'm shooting. Thanks to Panasonic for the opportunity, Infinity for the glass, Biolapse for making the connection, and Beaver Creek Honey for letting me hangout with your bees!