DIRECTOR | PHOTOGRAPHER
There is more to Directing than being in charge, it takes a leader
It takes a keen eye, a sense of attention to detail, and patience, but most importantly it takes patience. Being "in charge" actually has nothing to do with directing. I relate it to being the lighthouse just off the coast in the midst of a terrible storm, attempting to break through the dark and dismal chaos of life at sea. When ships are lost in the darkness it takes everyone from the Captain, the Crew, and the passengers to work in unison, one team working together to reach their destination. When chaos erupts and the ability to see the shore is gone, everything becomes the lighthouse's duty. The shining beacon in the distance giving those lost the hope to endure; the constant guide with a solitary purpose. Empower those aboard by believing in their abilities and reassure them that they'll make it through this storm. The lighthouse doesn’t command the vessel, it brings it home.
I have been directing photo and video shoots for over a decade. I find taking a kind and gentle approach helps in relaxing the model or actors so they immerse themselves in the scene and embrace the character being portrayed. Even when working on a simple product shoot there is still a need to tell a story, bring an intangible idea to life, capture that perfect moment and convey your message to the intended audience.
Director/Actor - Thomas Emery
A Challenging Recruitment Commercial taking on Dual Roles of Actor and Director
There were over 30 people on set but my team handled it like it was no problem. We used a Dolly cart with an extra platform we rigged together with me riding on the platform and directing the extras. The cart had multiple monitors, 1 facing me as Actor/Director, and 3 facing the Cinematographer/Assistant Director, Shoot Coordinator, and the Executive Team. We finished ahead of schedule even with the banner drop and confetti poppers that took over a dozen takes to nail the timing. Its funny how the, "go on three" bit we have seen in movies for years actually happened in a real-life setting. Needless to say, no one ever goes on three the first time. That being said, timing was everything for this shoot and it took a lot of research and planning, but I've learned in my career its most important to put in a lot of preproduction time. It gives you more opportunity to get creative during the actual shoot.
Imagery can be very powerful when you combine all the elements of a good story,
Theme, Structure, Characters, Setting, Style and Tone.
Lifestyle Photoshoots
The secret to a successful lifestyle photoshoot is embracing the scene, finding the mood and setting the tone.
Product Photography
Today's market is ultra competitive, you need to be able to elevate your products to a higher level than your competitors and still be compliant across all channels.
