Artist Statement

As a filmmaker, I believe that everyone can be irreversibly affected by witnessing the visual storytelling of a powerful film. It is not my goal to make every project revolutionary, though I take pride in finding the nuanced intricacies in everyday occurrences to expose to the viewer. As an artist, a filmmaker has the ability to cover such a great expanse of ground from abstract creation to brilliantly appointed capture of a moment in time. When I look at all of the other careers that cause people to simply repeat tasks that have become rote, I can’t help but feel a strong sense of affirmation in my choice to continue my love affair with filmmaking.
I am currently most drawn to capturing those rare moments in time where emotion lives strongest. I have recently discovered an affinity for light as a gateway through which a subject can be enhanced or modified. Music is an important source of inspiration that I have recently begun to employ as part of the storytelling process. I am interested in utilizing cutting-edge technology to photograph in a way that no one has in the past. I enjoy collaboration with other creative minds from other disciplines to combine our abilities in an effort to create something new and prolific.
For the past year, I have been studying the art of composition, and I find that it is a learned skill as much as an innate ability. I have been experimenting with more abstract techniques than most would find acceptable, but I find that some of the most conventionally- pleasing images arise from abstract means. While I have yet to define my own style, I am learning to appreciate how the style of others is carried over from project to project. It is my goal to continue to study film in an effort to find my own muses that will aid my quest for artful filmmaking, but until that day comes, I will enjoy the honor of working in one of most interesting career fields out there.

By clayton with No comments

Cinematography Reel

By clayton with No comments

Portrait of a Place

This past weekend, I photographed the University of Alabama campus over fall break. During the fall, football brings hundreds of thousands of people to the campus, however, when football is removed from the equation, the campus becomes a ghost town. I found this particularly interesting, and after shooting my portrait of a place, I took a great deal from seeing this massive campus literally abandoned for the weekend. Though I have not gained feedback from my peers yet, I was able to view several of my classmates' works. After viewing others' work, I began to understand the allure to telling a story using only visuals. The concept of visual storytelling is one that is easier to appreciate than to perform, and I look forward to becoming a better storyteller through this experience.

By clayton with No comments

SONY HVR-V1U HDV vs. JVC HM100U

When working with these two cameras, I have learned that there are advantages and disadvantages to working with every camera. Aside from menu navigation, there are many differences between the JVC HM-100U and the Sony HVR-V1U HDV. Workflow, size, media format, chip size, chip type, and camera specifications are examples of differences in these two cameras. With regard to the JVC HM-100U versus the Sony HDV, the most obvious difference is media format. Since the HDV records to miniDV, the workflow is far more tedious, and the margin of error increases. In the past, I have found miniDV capture to be a hassle, and I like to avoid using a tape deck to import footage whenever possible.The HM-100U's ability to record to SD card allows for seamless transfer of files from card to Final Cut. Another great thing about the JVC is that it accepts two SD cards at the same time, and they can be "hotswapped," or changed without ceasing to record. I prefer the JVC to the HDV for this reason, however, the JVC is not faultless. My least favorite feature of the JVC is the lone focus/zoom ring which can only control one of the aforementioned functions at a time. I find this really annoying as I like having the ability to readily adjust the two manually while shooting b-roll and scenic shots. That being said, each of these cameras can be useful in certain situations, however, I enjoy shooting on the JVC HM-100U over the Sony HDV for its reliable workflow and "hotswap" capability.

By clayton with No comments

Goals... and stuff.

As a filmmaker, I have made several improvements in the last couple of years, however, I have many goals that I have yet to reach yet. In the next few moments, I will be discussing my goals as a filmmaker, and in light of what I want to learn, my goals for this course.

My first goal as a filmmaker is to become a proficient storyteller. I aim to use light and digital media to paint a vivid picture of a moment in time. I believe that in the last year, I have learned a great deal about the importance of story in film, and I hope that through shooting my film for this class, I will be able to learn even more. I also hope to become better with composition and lighting as they apply to the story.

Another goal I aim to accomplish as a filmmaker is to develop lasting relationships with other filmmakers. As a result, my goal for this course is to use my films as a platform for building relationships that in turn cultivate lasting friendships. This past summer, while working on a documentary for the large portion of the break, I was able to develop lasting friendships with my entire crew that will open many doors in the future. I think that one of the great things about a career in the film industry is the opportunity to use relationships to gather resources to achieve a common goal.

These are just a couple of the goals I have as a filmmaker, and they are also goals I would like to achieve in this class. While they are long-term goals, I hope to increase in skill and grow as a person through this class in film. In conclusion, I have learned a lot as a filmmaker in a short period of time, but after this class, I feel that I will have learned even more.

By clayton with No comments

Visual Style

Though I have yet to develop a concrete visual style, I have determined a concrete aesthetic that I will likely strive to achieve in the future. When I watch films, one of the first things I notice is the production design. For as long as I can remember, I have been analyzing film for bad production design and continuity breaks. That being said, I love films that allow the background to have a role in establishing the tone and feel of the story. Specific films that exemplify the style I most admire include "The Royal Tenenbaums", "The Darjeeling Limited", "Hot Fuzz", "Reservoir Dogs", "500 Days of Summer", and "Pulp Fiction". The short film, "Hotel Chevalier" best displays the production design I will aim for as the color palettes of the characters and the setting never clash. When Jason Schwartzman and Natalie Portman's characters are "catching up" in the hotel room, they are both wearing muted gray and black colors, while the room is a bright, crisp yellow. When they step out onto the balcony over Paris, Natalie Portman's character is wearing the yellow robe that matches the interior of the hotel, allowing the neutral palette of the Paris evening to set the tone of the scene. Being fond of Wes Anderson's films, I have re-watched several just to observe the color palette and production design. In addition to color palette and production design choices, I am also captivated by technically-sound shot composition. I enjoy interesting shot angles and movement as well, though I have an affinity for well-composed shots. My favorite example of this is the "Green Line Bus" scene from "The Royal Tenenbaums."  These are just some of my favorite examples of the visual style I aim to create in my films. 

By clayton with No comments

The List

1. I enjoy traveling. This summer,  I was fortunate enough to attend the Cannes Film Festival as a student filmmaker, work in production on a feature-length documentary that shot in New York, Los Angeles, Alabama, South Carolina, and the Ukraine, and work on an independent feature in Los Angeles. My love for film is closely seconded by my love for travel.

2. Sunsets are my thing. I like to photograph them. They so pretty.

3. One of my favorite films is High Fidelity.

4. I love Beirut, the artist, not the alternate name for beer pong.


5. I also love beer pong.


6. Lighting things on fire compels me.


7. I love the great outdoors. I think people sit inside too much.

8. I am a conversationalist. I enjoy talking, but listening can be one of the most interesting activities.

9. I am a sucker for gadgets. Uncrate.com is one of my guilty pleasures. 

10. Stand up comedy makes me smile. And laugh. And laugh. Louie C.K. is funny to me.

By clayton with No comments