Video (and a little film too).

Through the Spine

Created: October, 2008

Client: Trevor Kjorlien

In the fall of 2008, I enrolled for a course offered by FAVA in Edmonton, Alberta teaching the basics of 16mm film-making. The course taught us techniques using an entire analog workflow, from audio recording and mixing, to splicing and editing our footage on Steinbecks.

After each of us in the class wrote our own scripts, we began shooting. With only 12 minutes of film to spare, and a final product coming to four minutes, that means that each shot had to be planned with immense precision.

After shooting came a laborious 80 hours of editing using no digital equipment. Though I majored in Video at NAIT, this process taught some valuable lessons, upon which I've applied back into my future video projects.

A few months later, I entered the film into the Alberta Student Film Festival and was awarded with "Best Original Script".

Joel Plaskett: "Heartless, Heartless, Heartless"

Created: May, 2009

Client: Vue Weekly

Just hours before a show at McDougall United Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Joel Plaskett gave Vue Weekly a private set. By his side is his father, Bill Plaskett.

Two Panasonic DVX-100s were used for this video, with Mike Garth from Vue Weekly helping the shoot. The sound was captured by Mike Siek from Vue Weekly, with Joel generously letting us use his mikes (which created a pristine recording).

While working at Vue, we were told by many people this is one of the best private recordings they had ever seen from Joel Plaskett.

Corb Lund: "This is My Prairie"

Created: September, 2009

Client: Vue Weekly

Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans roll on into town, and Corb himself is kind enough to stop into the Vue Studio. A band that can fill an 18,000 person stadium is not our usual fare, but it was a pleasure to have him in.

And so there we were, with two DVX-100 cameras, while he sang us a few songs and performed an interview with us. And yet – through most of it – all I could think was "Good lord... this guy looks like Willem Dafoe."

Edmonton Fringe Festival Interviews

Created: August, 2008

Client: Vue Weekly

Edmonton, Alberta holds the largest fringe festival in all of North America. Over 130 shows are performed during the 10-day blistering circus of theatre, comedy, sideshows, and deep-fried food.

In the festivals of 2008 and 2009, Vue Weekly went out on location to the grounds and performed interviews with several acts.

In 2008, we did nine interviews. In 2009, we did 23.

The turn-around time from interview, to edit, to being online was less than 24 hours. Throughout the first few days of both fringe festivals, every single show performed was reviewed and online – and the interviews we had were right along side them.

Here's a few choice selections from both years.

Edmonton Skydive Centre

Created: May, 2009

Client: Vue Weekly

It was the Great Outdoors issue at Vue Weekly, and two of the newshounds decided it was time for a potentially fatal story. This video uncovers their experience.

Using my DVX-100 camera, interviews with the free fallers were done, with humour that only news and music editors can provide. Aerial footage (which is undoubtedly exhilarating) was captured by The Edmonton Skydive Centre.

The adventure sparked non-stop bragging in the Vue Weekly office that lasted for weeks. Much of the staff wished that the chutes had not opened at all.

Shout Out Out Out Out: "Making-Of" Music Video

Created: February, 2009

Client: Vue Weekly

What happens when there's a music video with explosions and flamethrowers being made in our city? Vue Weekly had to check this out.

Stephen Hope (Dr. Hope, Zebra Society) was putting together the music video for Edmonton's electro-dance-punk band, Shout Out Out Out Out, in preparation for their new album. For the entire shoot, I was there documenting the process, the people, and the pyrotechnics.

Includes interviews of the production crew and members of the band.

Manraygun: "Here Lies Love"

Created: June, 2008

Client: Vue Weekly

A local alternative roots band from Edmonton, Alberta, Manraygun was more than willing to put a video together alongside their article for Vue Weekly.

Shot inside one of the band members' house, the antique and grungy atmosphere of the setting mixed well with the depressing mood of the song. Using only one Panasonic DVX-100 camera, I mixed the footage of the song with some casual shots of the members (including the curious dog sniffing around the instruments).

Vue Weekly published an article about Manraygun's release, and attached the video along with it.