RUN TO END POVERTY: promotional film for Engineers Without Borders
Last summer I was asked by Engineers Without Borders to provide some coverage of the Run To End Poverty event here in Vancouver, BC. Myself and friends Alejejandro Zuluaga and Andres Salas shot it over two days and since, it’s become a fairly drawn-out side project for me (mostly because Christian is too nice and let me stretch deadlines a couple of times) that’s finally been posted on their website, and so I’m now able to share the video with you.
The Run To End Poverty was started by Christian Beaudrie while he was on a placement near Tamale, Ghana with Engineers Without Borders a few years back. It is either 5K or a half marathon and is a fundraiser in support of international development of third world countries where extreme poverty is a real issue. Christian wanted me to emphasize however – the run is not just for Engineers Without Borders – anyone can participate – in fact all individuals and organizations are encouraged to join in their city’s Run To End Poverty (presently held in Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Waterloo) and if their city does not have a run, start one! Contact Christian at the Run To End Poverty website if you want to learn more. Here in Vancouver, the event piggybacks on the Scotiabank Half Marathon and on similar runs in other cities across the country.
One note on the music I’d like to make – and of interest to filmmakers – the two songs you will hear were blasting in the background during the race, and I leveraged this in post, laying down the real tracks for effect without a lot of consideration for rights. I do consider music rights of course – before using Tegan & Sara’s song in the trailer and then the full length versions of Surviving In The Cracks, I got their permission; Anyhow, last summer, when the bulk of this short was shot and edited, I highlighted to Christian this might be an issue, but we decided to push ahead believing the owners of the music would allow it, especially considering the non-profit use of this film. Interestingly however, Youtube muted Dire Straits’ song automatically when Christian tried to upload it there last week, so for now we’re hosting it elsewhere (my Vimeo account – with tight restrictions on embedding and sharing enabled to avoid being blocked again). Youtube is still our ultimate destination to reach the largest audience and in the meantime Christian has approached Dire Straits (and the Soca Boys too) to get their official permission. I am very interested to hear their answer.
ROOTSYSTEM: playing St. Patrick’s Day at the Backstage Lounge, Vancouver, BC
Here’s a photo from a morning shoot I did with the band, Rootsystem. They’re playing tonight at 10 at the Backstage Lounge on Granville Island (I know, it’s short notice). Now for a quick nap before we head out to check out the show! If you miss them tonight, be sure check out their myspace page.
SERVICES: Director/Cinematographer
In the realm of filmmaking, I have finally put together a demo reel of my work from the last year and now I present it to the world. I believe that I am capable as a DIY (do it yourself) crew for creating an entire film from end to end (as I did with Surviving In The Cracks), but if there is one craft which I would call a strength/preference, I would have to pick cinematography. I do believe that my editing is also a strength, however when I think about which one I prefer, I would have to say cinematography, as running about with a camera in hand feels more appealing that sitting in front of a computer for weeks on end, especially during the summer months!
Thanks for watching, hope you enjoy, and please consider me for your cinematography needs!
SERVICES: Hmmm. I think I love to teach…
Student Photo - Stacey
I don’t know how many times a friend, acquaintance, or someone I don’t even know, has come to me for advice about photography. With over a decade of shooting professionally under my belt I guess it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that people might expect me to actually have some wisdom to impart, and as it turns out I often do. So I open my mouth and I begin to talk and what I discover is that I sometimes (often) need to resist getting carried away with my advice so as not to flood my poor student with more information than they can handle. That is when I realize my affliction – I love to teach photography.
One time about five years ago I attempted to corral this enthusiasm and created a photography club at work where I taught beginner/intermediate SLR/DSLR techniques. It was a pretty popular little club for its brief existence; alas, the stresses of the office quickly distracted me from that endeavour and it floundered. I don’t work in that office anymore…
Student Photo - Priscillia
Then two years ago I was asked to teach a short class on how to take better photos with a disposable camera. I threw together some information about composition, getting closer, changing perspective, some stuff on parallax, how to operate the camera and flash, etc. and, as simple and restrictive a tool that a disposable camera is, the class was a hit. Since that first class I have I dressed it up a bit and now teach a series of similar classes using point-and-shoot digital cameras. I am often very impressed with the photos my students produce.
Today, that momentum is building. On a regular basis I am teaching small classes and private tutorials on subjects ranging from point-and-shoot basics to DSLR techniques, from street photography to Photoshop for photographers. Chances are, if you are a beginning or intermediate level photographer, whether you’re shooting with a state-of-the-art DLSR or a $100 point-and-shoot – if you’re ready to move to the next level, I might have something to teach you to get you on your way. Give me a call for rates.
