Though targeted at photographers, the eBook is for anyone who’s interested in the world of motion picture storytelling. With the explosion of video-capable stills cameras, many are considering dipping their toes into moving images. But while there are many resources out there on how to operate a video camera, what does it take to create a visual story that moves people? We talk some about gear, but mostly about process. What is story? How do you build a story? How do you connect images together to build towards a climax? What are the differences between composing a shot for a still image vs. motion?

It’s tough to pack all that into one eBook, but feedback so far has been positive. It’s gotten people excited to give video a try and get started with motion pictures storytelling. Go check it out!

VISION IN MOTION is a downloadable PDF. USD $5.00

The goal overall was to make my work more accessible and easier to browse. I wanted navigation to be clearer for the first time visitor while still maintaining a sense of discovery and journey as you navigate around the site.

You can still flip through posts one at a time on the blog or see a list of all the recent posts in the index. And of course the most recent news, blog post, video & photography is right there on the home page.

Hope you like it! Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.

It’s hard to believe that almost five years ago, five friends started planning for a trip to Rwanda. Our plan was to shoot a documentary in two weeks, spend a month in hard-core editing, and have it ready to watch by the summer of 2005.

I was so naive, in so many ways. I had shot several documentaries by this point, but nothing on this scale. The process has been intense, difficult, and there was more than once that the whole thing almost didn’t happen. But here we are… the film is ready for the world to see on DVD.

You can get your copy here: Hope Rises Store. There is more info and trailers on the website as well as a Facebook fan page.

Thanks for all of your support over the years to get this thing made.

Thanks for everyone who supported Team Cinesketch for the race! Here’s a link to some of our sponsors:

• Inspired Cinema
• Cinesketch
• Image Pacific
• William F. White International
• Digital Lighting Technologies
• Digital Film Central

If you haven’t watched the film yet, head over to the facebook page where you can become a fan and watch the video.

Victor (played by Matt Chandler) thinks he has things straight when he nabs the Duchess (Joy Pecknold) for theft. But the Duchess spins a tale faster than a Mach 1 Mustang’s wheels in a burnout… can you keep up?

“The Duchess”, a short film created for the 2009 Vancouver Film Race, is screening Wednesday July 22nd at Fifth Avenue Cinemas. Tickets are $9. Hit the link for more info (our film is at the 7pm screening).

We had an awesome time making the film. Car chases, burnouts, gunshots and subterfuge… all good fun. I had the pleasure of directing, with Jesse Rosten as DOP, Matt Chandler penning as well as starring with Joy Pecknold and Dan Stewart. Hope you can make it!

He’s looking for investors in the company. Investments will have an immediate, on the ground effect towards a self-sustaining business in the developing world. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in investing in a company like this, drop me a line.

For those out there interested in getting your own copy of Rwanda: Hope Rises, you can sign up for the mailinglist on the film’s website. You’ll be notified as soon as copies are available for purchase.

Thanks to everybody who came out tonight!

Although they were happy, Nicholas said his experiences in Edinburgh made him more determined to help other Rwandans rebuild their lives. Elsie was reluctant at first, but eventually agreed.

(read more…)