Muskoka 2015
2015 was a good year in Muskoka :)
Areas Pictured: Torrance, ON Bala, ON Gravenhurst, ON Dorset, ON Huntsville, ON Lake Muskoka Milford Bay Attractions Featured: SS Bigwin Segwun & Wenonah II Dorset Lookout Tower (save the) Bala Falls Bala Bridge TreeTop Trekking Johnston's Cranberry Marsh Hardy Lake Trails Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail Walker's Point Marina Canada Day Fireworks Muskoka Wharf Rentals Thank You Muskoka Tourism Back of Beyond Equine
A Big Decision
(Shot entirely with a single GoPro Hero 3+ camera)
'A Big Decision' documents my road trip with the girlfriend from San Diego to Vegas and then a bachelor party weekend in Vegas. I never had time to plan anything, was always shooting on the go with a "capture everything I can and figure it out in post" mentality. As I reflect on the trip and the amount of inspirational visuals, I wish I had more time (and a bigger camera), I still may go back to tell a new story. But producing the video this way allowed me to stay (somewhat) in my girlfriends good books and enjoy time with the buddies, without being a slave to technology. All in all, i'm very happy with the edit and hope you enjoy it!
Drone Wars
Somewhere in the back of my head, from the time i placed my Phantom 2 order, I knew this video was going to get made. Shooting at the brickworks that day, my co-pilot Rob Massie's true intentions were to just have some fun flying and also make a demo video for youtube on how to setup your drone for new hobbyists. Once we started flying around, I had my a-ha moment - Rob and I begin to create fly through and flyover sequences, which i could then bring into post and add lasers to. The Result? A vicious drone battle at the Evergreen Brickworks between the Empire and Resistance - only one would live to fight another day
60 Seconds in Alberta
I recently took my first trip to Alberta, and let me tell you its one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been. Living in Toronto, I guess I just got used to the urban backdrop; let's just say the Rocky Mountains are a substantial upgrade - It's like everywhere you go there is a 'painting on the wall'.
I came away with unbelievable footage from our drone, but as I watched it back, although beautiful, somehow it sold my trip short. It's not only about the sights, its about the air, it's about the hikes, it's about friends, it's about your experience. Perhaps I'll recut the scenic footage into an epic montage of sorts, but for now, this video represents my trip best. If you've never been out west, I HIGHLY recommend it!
The Weather Network
When I met Rachel Schoutsen from The Weather Network for our interview, we hit it off right away. She was friendly, well spoken, a consummate professional AND loves cameras :) Rachel produced the entire interview single handedly, from camera op, to host, to director, this girl is the real deal! Not only did we come away with what I feel is a great segment, but also a new friend. Had the interview run any longer, it would have likely spilled into off-key renditions of Champagne Supernova and Spiderwebs.
True North
I came away with unbelievable footage from our drone, but as I watched it back, although beautiful, somehow it sold my trip short. It's not only about the sights, its about the air, it's about the hikes, it's about friends, it's about your experience. Perhaps I'll recut the scenic footage into an epic montage of sorts, but for now, this video represents my trip best. If you've never been out west, I HIGHLY recommend it!
Fall into Muskoka
Muskoka is not a just a place on a map, it's a feeling, it's a moment, it's a memory. Muskoka, often rated as one of the top travel sites in all the world provides its visitors with a blank canvas for rest, relaxation and experience. Muskoka: once discovered, never forgotten (now playing at the Norwood in Bracebridge before select films)
Dedicated to my Muskoka family
Beforing 'lift-off', do these 5 things
Are you interested in making awesome drone videos? The above video takes you through the setup of the most popular commercial drone, the DJI Phantom 2. Well there are several DJI models, they all share similar setup procedures.
CTV News
It just so happened that the day after my Scarborough Drone Selife "took off"online, Transport Canada made new UAV announcements regarding safety guidelines and permitting permissions for commercial and hobbyist flights. I had the opportunity to chat with the wickedy talented Dana Levinson for CTV and the amazingly gifted Trevor Dunn from CBC for both national newscasts that night. The rest, as they say, is history.
CBC National
On the same day Transport Canada passed new drone regulations, CBC's Trevor Dunn and I spent a couple hours together at Rosedale park shooting a segment with Droney on safe UAV operation. I even let Trevor take the controls briefly, he quickly gave them back.
The Scarborough Bluffs and the Epic Drone Selife
Random Jogger interrupts my epic drone selfie
Ever since i’ve gotten my DJI phantom out of the box, I haven’t been able to put it down. It’s funny how much you think you know a place until you get a new perspective on it. Although I produce videos professionally for a living, i now consider this a hobby too. I woke up at 6am to charge up and head over to Scarborough Bluffs, the weather was perfect, a little bit overcast, little to no wind and warm enough to go sans jacket. The drone selfie was actually my last shot of the morning, but by far the most epic. I believe we’ve only seen the start of what drones are capable of, all those futuristic movies i’ve seen no longer seem that magical, i’m starting to see how the technology can be built and function in the real world.
While the 'Epic Drone Selfie' will certainly go down as the most notable takeaway from my morning at the Scarborough Bluffs, I had the chance to capture a good hour of beautiful footage which i crafted into a behind the scenes video. The video was shot on the Hero 3+ in 2k Protune, creating a beast of workflow for any CC or grading I wanted to add; ultimately I made some small adjustments in Red Giant Magic Bullet, and stood fast.
There's no place like home
An epic bachelor party weekend at my home away from home was the backdrop for my first drone video, an aerial tour of Camp White Pine, made as a gift for Dana, Adam, Sarah, Joe & Doreen who've given me and so many others, the chance to be a part of the White Pine family.