It all started with a B&W 35mm film camera at age 13, when I developed a passion for storytelling, documenting my life growing up in Austin, Texas in the ’90s. I ran with a wild crowd, so naturally my photos captured some colorful moments. One day the police raided my locker and confiscated every roll of film, contact sheet and print for evidence. This self-portrait is my only surviving print.

Photography soon shifted to moving images when I began volunteering at a local TV station, becoming acquainted with broadcast equipment. I bought a Hi-8mm camera to practice with, and shot my first documentary at the now famous “Battle in Seattle” in 1999, sharing an intimate and immersive experience of the protests that rocked the world. It was a totally amateur production, but I became hooked on filmmaking.

I continued making videos semi-professionally for the next five years, then went to film school in Montréal, where I honed my skills and gained experience with more professional tools. After moving to Vancouver, I hit the ground running, editing an independent feature and a series of documentaries with acclaimed filmmaker Tony Papa. I dove deeper over the next 17 years, working as a writer, director, producer, cinematographer, editor, and colorist. While I have won numerous awards, was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, and can say my projects have screened at more festivals and TV networks than I can keep track of, I’m simply not satisfied. I suppose that perspective keeps me hungry, as Les Brown says.

Currently there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything I want, so I try to stay focused on the projects that matter most. If you have a project you are passionate about, and think we might make a good team, please contact me.

With gratitude,

Eliot