NARRATIVE

We All Die Alone

The hubris of an inept conflict negotiator ignites an 8-way standoff between two warring gangs, yielding both comical and tragic outcomes in this whip-smart short. Originating from a 48-hour film festival, Jonathon approached me to craft a scripted version with a Martin Scorsese-inspired aesthetic. The result is a delightful blend of farce and drama. Garnering multiple awards, the film is now streaming online.

Director: Jonathan Hammond Producer: Yasmin Preciado, Shannon Taylor, Ryan Binse

Singularity

In the midst of a war between humans and sentient androids, a Delta Force team must battle a dangerous enemy to rescue the US President. Meticulously crafted over numerous weekends with the generous support of friends. Shot on 35mm, its distinctive aesthetic was achieved through Cross-Processing, a 2-stop push, and a 90-degree shutter angle.

Director: Samuel Jorgensen Producer: Jeremy Pronk

Mercy Black

Mercy Black is my 2nd horror film with the esteemed author, Owen Egerton. Mercy Black is a 2019 American horror film written and directed by Owen Egerton. It stars Daniella Pineda as a woman who is released from a psychiatric hospital 15 years after stabbing a classmate because of an urban legend about a ghost known as Mercy Black. After her nephew Bryce (Miles Emmons) becomes obsessed with the same ghost, she comes to believe the ghost may be real. Austin Amelio and Janeane Garofalo appear in supporting roles.

Director: Owen Egerton Producers: Seth Caplan, Adam Hendricks, John H. Lang, Adam Wyatt Tate, Ryan Turek

Roots In Concrete

Roots in Concrete was the senior project by the incredibly talented Allison Waite. When Allison approached me about her movie, she explained the importance of telling the story of Latasha Harlins, the young girl that was killed at a convenience store which played an additional role in the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.

Director/Producer: Allison Waite

Back Fork

Once a hardworking family man, Waylon's life unravels after a devastating tragedy, leaving him and his wife to navigate through the motions of existence. Struggling with unbearable pain, Waylon turns to pills and a destructive lifestyle. Shot on location in West Virginia, this poignant drama delves into the harrowing realities of oxycontin addiction during the peak of the opioid crisis.

Back Fork is a heartfelt story written, directed and starring Josh Stewart. The movie was shot on location in Stewart’s home of West Virginia and delves into the depths of America’s heart-break, the opioid crisis.

Director: Josh Stewart Producers: Robert & Jeffery Tinnell

Foursome Season 4

After operating on the first 2 seasons of Foursome, it was an honor to come back as the cinematographer for Season 4. This 10 episode series focused on a variety of looks and approaches while incorporating the humor both in the camera and in front of it. Foursome is an American romantic comedy streaming television series starring Jenn McAllister and an ensemble cast of other social media entertainers and professional actors. The series was produced by AwesomenessTV and premiered on March 30, 2016, on YouTube Premium.

Directors: Jack Bishop, Justin Nijm, Ryan Shiraki, Sammi Cohen, Angela Barnes, Marissa Read, Selyna Warren

Producers: AwesomenessTV, Scott Levine, Lance Lanfear, Dan Suhart, Carly Schulman

To Fall In Love

To Fall In Love began as an award winning play at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With only 2 characters, our approach was to uphold the integrity of the play by utilizing long takes and as few cuts as possible. This has a powerful effect of drawing the viewer in to these amazing performances by the same two actors that took this play to Scotland, Beth Gallagher and Eric Casalini. We filmed in a record 5 days, allowing the actors to take their performance off the stage and in front of the camera as seamlessly as possible.

Director: Michael Foster Producers: Jennifer Lane, Ghadir

Slash

Freshman Neil's world revolves around his Vanguard stories, until he encounters the older Julia, who encourages him to share his fan fiction online. When the website's moderator takes a keen interest in Neil's work, it catapults him into a new universe of possibilities. Premiering at the SXSW Film Festival in 2016, this film explores the transformative power of creativity and connection, all while poking at the hilarious circumstances of awkward teenage years and understanding ones own sexuality.

Director: Clay Liford Producers: Steven J. Berger, Traci Carlson, Jason Wehling, Brock Williams

Follow

In 'Follow,' a man receives an early Christmas present from his girlfriend, only to black out and wake up in a terrifying nightmare. Shot on a micro-budget, this film utilizes an extremely talented cast and minimal locations to deliver a chilling experience that may leave you too frightened to fall asleep next to your partner.

Director: Owen Egerton Producers: Seth Caplan, Ezra Venetos

Zero Charisma

Zero Charisma" tells the story of an overgrown nerd who serves as the Game Master of a fantasy board game. When a new member joins the group, his position as leader of the misfits is threatened. Premiering at the South By Southwest film festival in 2013, "Zero Charisma" won the Audience Choice Award, captivating audiences with its humorous and relatable tale of geek culture and personal growth.

Directors: Katie Graham, Andrew Mathews Producers: Zack Carlson, Thomas Fernandes, Michael Stephenson, Ezra Venetos

June Adrift

Three adventurous millennial women embark on a spontaneous journey out of Los Angeles, driven by the belief that constructing a sailboat can revolutionize their lives. "June, Adrift" unfolds against the scenic backdrop of the open road and the tranquil waters of the Chesapeake River in Maryland. This film stands out for its distinctive approach: it was both penned and brought to life by the creative trio of Amanda McCann, Christine Hassay, and Cassie Ramoska. With "June, Adrift," these three gifted women seize control of their destinies, mirroring the spirit of this heartfelt coming-of-age comedy.

Director: Adrienne Subia Producers: Kasia Trojak, Andrew Turner, Reena Dutt

Tiramisu For Two

"Tiramisu for Two" serves up a delightful blend of comedy and magical realism, entwining the fates of three characters trapped in a police interrogation room amidst a Texas tempest. Giorgio, a potential suspect with a penchant for Italian, Sandra, the enigmatic sheriff, and TJ, a bewildered college student, navigate a night of unexpected turns fueled by a touch of magic. Shot independently over two years against the backdrop of San Marcos, Texas, this film features a talented ensemble cast hailing from Central Texas, capturing the town's idiosyncratic allure amidst its rapid development. Notably, this film not only stars but also embodies two significant objectives: to celebrate and unite the Italian-American community in Texas, and to pay homage to Bob Olson—a Texan who chased his acting dreams in Italy, where he met his wife. Returning to Austin, TX, they welcomed their daughter Romina, who produced the film. Directed by Romina's husband, Sergio Carvajal, "Tiramisu for Two" stands as a heartfelt tribute to Bob's legacy.

Director: Sergio Carvajal Producers: Romina Olson, Chris Perez

Formosa, TX

"Formosa, TX" emerges as a poignant thesis film from the University of Texas at Austin, delving into the intricate layers of Asian-American identity in the United States. Drawing inspiration from visionary filmmakers like Wong Kar-Wai, the film unfolds against the captivating backdrop of Marfa, TX, captured beautifully on 35mm. Director and Producer Roy Rutngamlug leads this cinematic exploration with finesse and insight.

Director/Producer: Roy Rutngamlug

Lucha

Lucha" served as my thesis film at AFI. In addition to my role as the cinematographer, I wrote the film—a relatively uncommon endeavor among AFI fellows. Growing up in El Paso, TX, the tragic femicides in Juarez left a profound mark on our community. Hearing these stories served as a catalyst, inspiring me to craft a narrative of hope and survival amidst despair.

To capture the essence of West Texas, we filmed on 35mm in the Joshua Tree Desert of California, carefully selecting locations to evoke the landscape and atmosphere of the region.

Director: Hernan Cazarez Producer: Sean Haesli

Only Worn Once

Darcy, a recent divorcee, and her daughter, Megan, sell Darcy’s used wedding dress on the internet to an 18-year-old marrying a much older man. When Darcy’s ex, Don, discovers the sale, a fight ensues. A drag queen unexpectedly saves the day.

Directors: Claire Downs & Brenden Gallagher Producers: Phil Rosenberg, Carrie Wilson