Artist Statement

In my lifetime I have experienced a broken home, fought and survived war as a Marine, survived the struggles of readjustment back into the civilian life, and became a husband and father. Through all these extremes there has been one constant. Film. For as long as I can remember watching movies has always brought me joy even in my darkest of times. I set out four years ago to prove to myself that I can be that storyteller. I have always been intrigued by the way people tell stories. I appreciate the fact that everything that we see was originated from an idea. It may have started off as a small idea but with the support of peers and countless hours of brainstorming they have taken an idea and turned it into something special.

Film has always taken me away from reality and let me explore true imagination. Being in the driver seat you never really know if something is going to work. On numerous occasions I remember asking myself if this is going to work at all. But when you get that laugh you were looking for or that tear or feeling of fear then you are on the right track. Ron Howard once said “One of the great things about being a director as a life choice is that it can never be mastered. Every story is its own kind of expedition, with its own set of challenges.” I have found something I can flourish in and I intend to do the best that I can. It's not work if you love something that you are passionate about and I love to tell stories. 

Photography courtesy of Nathan Dan and Elle Jaye