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Approach / How I work
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Clear message.
Intentional craft.
A beautiful shot still needs a reason.
First, let’s figure out
what you want to
say.
I like a beautiful shot as much as the next filmmaker. Probably more. But if someone finishes watching and has no idea what you were trying to tell them, I haven’t done my job.
So I start with a conversation. I want to know what matters to you, who we’re trying to reach, and what you hope they take away. Then we can work out how the film should look and feel.
That’s the thread I follow through the whole project. Good lighting, thoughtful editing, and the right music should help the message, not distract from it.
Five steps.
Room to get it right.
Every project is a little different. These are the steps I use to make sure the important things don’t get lost along the way.
Understand
Let’s talk it through.
You don’t need a finished brief. Tell me what you’re making, who it’s for, and when you need it. I’ll ask questions, compare your availability with mine, and talk through pricing early so the proposal doesn’t come as a surprise.
Plan
Give the idea a shape.
Once we’ve agreed on the proposal, I turn what we’ve discussed into a plan. That includes the schedule, locations, interviews, shots, and the versions you’ll need at the end. A useful plan leaves room for the good things you can’t predict.
Film
Pay attention to what matters.
Some moments need direction. Others are better left alone. I work out where to step in and when to let things happen, while keeping the picture and sound where they need to be. The goal is useful, honest footage, not a collection of shots that only look impressive.
Edit
Make the pieces work together.
This is where the film really takes shape. I work through the story, pacing, sound, color, and graphics, then we review it together. Sometimes my favorite shot doesn’t make the cut. If it doesn’t help the film, it doesn’t get a free pass.
Deliver
Finish for the way people will watch.
After review and approval, I prepare the agreed versions for their intended platforms. A TV spot, a trade show screen, and a vertical social video need different things. We plan for that up front, so delivery is part of the project rather than a last-minute scramble.
Say something clearly.
The audience shouldn’t have to guess what the film is trying to communicate.
Let people feel it.
The emotion should come from the people and the story, not just a dramatic music track.
Give it proper care.
I pay attention to the small things because they add up to the way the finished piece feels.
Let’s build the film
around what matters.
Tell me what you’re thinking. We’ll start there.
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