At Films.Solutions, we believe that every film production should be a collaboration between the filmmaker and the production team, and we strive to achieve that with every project we work on.

Sweeping Forward

Damaged souls living in a battered womens’ shelter discover healing and sisterhood when they are introduced to the sport of Curling. Winner of “Most Popular Canadian Feature Film” at The

Read More »

Citizen Detective

“True Crime Story: Citizen Detective,” a riveting docu-series that delves into the intricate webs of unsolved mysteries and the dedicated citizen detectives seeking the truth, is brought to audiences by

Read More »
The critically acclaimed short film, DedSpell, was brought to life with the help of Films.Solutions - a film production services company in Quebec, Canada. Our team served as producers and provided top-of-the-line equipment rental for the shoot, directed by the talented Jack Hackel.

DEDSPELL

“Dedspell” is a black comedy about a longtime married couple who absolutely detest each other – yet – are obliged to live together out of dire necessity.

Read More »

The Director of Photography

Through the Lens: The Wild, Wonderful World of a Cinematographer

As a Director of Photography (DP), I live for the thrill of chasing light and motion through a camera lens—it’s equal parts art, science, and pure adrenaline. My job? To breathe visual life into a story, crafting shots that don’t just show what’s happening but make you feel it—whether it’s the raw grit of a documentary, the polished punch of a commercial, or the sweeping drama of a feature film. Cinematography isn’t just pointing a camera; it’s wielding a superpower to sculpt emotions frame by frame.

The Holy Trinity: Composition, Lighting, Movement

Every killer shot starts with three essentials: composition, lighting, and camera movement—my cinematic trifecta. Composition is like staging a painting—where do I place the hero, the horizon, that lone tree swaying in the wind? Get it right, and the frame sings; get it wrong, and it’s visual noise. Lighting? That’s the mood-maker. A soft glow can whisper intimacy, while a stark beam screams tension—think of it as my emotional dimmer switch. Then there’s movement—pans that tease, tilts that reveal, dollies that pull you into the action. Together, these tools don’t just capture a scene; they ignite it.

DOP, camera, 1AC in the foreground, with Films.Solutions assistant behind a large diffusion screen, prepping for U2's 2018 tour video shoot

Styles That Pop: From Grit to Fantasy

Every project’s got its own vibe, and I’ve got to match it. Documentary style is my ninja mode—stalking real life as it unfolds, nailing that fleeting “whoa” moment with zero do-overs. Realistic cinematography? That’s recreating the world with a twist—think The Bourne Identity vibes, gritty but glossy. Then there’s fantasy—my playground for conjuring alien suns or misty realms with tricks like lens flares, CGI tweaks, or a perfectly timed smoke machine. Whatever the gig, I’m the chameleon behind the lens, bending light to fit the vision.

Gear That Rocks the Shot

My toolkit’s my treasure chest—cameras, lenses, lights, and rigs that turn ideas into gold. I’m talking ARRI Alexa for buttery richness, RED Dragon for razor-sharp punch, or Sony F55 for versatility that slays. Lenses are my secret sauce—wide-angles (like a 24mm) stretch the world, telephotos (say, 85mm) zoom in tight, each bending reality my way. Lighting’s where I flex—LED panels for precision, softboxes for that dreamy haze, reflectors to bounce sunlight like a pro. And don’t sleep on support gear: tripods keep me steady, dollies glide me smooth, cranes lift me to the heavens. It’s not just stuff—it’s how I make magic happen.

Taming the Wild: Shooting in Crazy Conditions

Filming’s not always a cozy studio gig—sometimes it’s battling blizzards, deserts, or underwater caves. I’ve hauled generators to remote jungles for a doc, rigged waterproof housings for ocean dives, and wrestled wind to keep a shot steady. It’s chaos, sure, but that’s where the fun lives—turning obstacles into eye-popping footage no one else dares to grab. Preparation’s my superpower here: scout it, gear up, and roll with the punches.

Light: The Soul of the Frame

Light’s my obsession—it’s what turns a flat image into a living story. Natural light’s my wild card—golden hour’s warm hug or a stormy sky’s brooding edge. Artificial light? That’s my paintbrush—tungsten for cozy, LEDs for crisp, tweaking every shadow to set the vibe. Ambient light sneaks in too, like a city glow or forest dapple, and I dance with it all. Soft and warm for a lover’s glance, harsh and cold for a villain’s stare—light’s how I make you feel the pulse of the scene.

The DP Life: Passion Meets Precision

Being a DP isn’t just a job—it’s a wild ride of creativity and tech wizardry. From nailing the basics to pushing boundaries with bold moves, I’m the guy who turns a director’s dream into a visual knockout. It’s about mastering the gear, reading the light, and pouring my heart into every frame. Whether I’m freezing a tear mid-fall or sweeping through an epic chase, I’m hooked on capturing those fleeting sparks of beauty and truth. That’s cinematography—and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Cinematographer

The art of capturing light and movement on film is a passion and a science

British Columbia

Filming in the middle of British Columbia in the Fraser River Valley

Let's make a difference together.

Contact-us For your next
film production in Canada

More to discover