Recovering The Way - Testimonial
Role: Director, Cinematographer, Editor (Full Production)
Produced a testimonial-driven documentary showcasing Recovering The Way's somatic recovery program, managing all aspects from pre-production through final delivery. The piece strategically alternates intimate interior interviews with expansive outdoor qigong practice footage, creating a visual narrative from isolation to community healing. Employed contrasting cinematography approaches—soft, warm interior lighting for vulnerable testimonials versus natural light and wide framing for group practice sequences on wooden decks and parks. The edit rhythm mirrors the meditative pace of qigong movements, using measured cuts and gentle dissolves to reinforce the program's calming ethos. Integrated illustrative overlays (spine graphics) and b-roll of specific pain points to provide clinical credibility while maintaining human-centered storytelling. The final piece delivers multiple distribution assets: testimonial snippets, practice demonstrations, and social media content.
Technical Approach: Natural lighting, steady camera movement matching breath work, color grading emphasizing earth tones and warmth.
First Class Tattoo - Customer Testimonial
Role: Director, Cinematographer, Editor (Full Production)
Produced a documentary-style testimonial following a customer's complete journey at First Class Tattoo NYC, from initial online research to finished tattoo reveal. Structured the narrative through clear visual chapters—urban context, arrival, consultation, application, and transformation—creating an authentic service experience story. Established NYC authenticity through street-level cinematography (Division, Orchard, Canal Streets) before transitioning to clean, professional interior coverage. Balanced wide environmental shots with intimate macro details of the tattooing process and finished artwork, emphasizing both craftsmanship and results. The edit maintains energetic pacing through varied shot scales while allowing process moments to breathe, supported by natural dialogue snippets that reinforce authenticity over scripted advertising.
Visual Strategy: Urban neutrals punctuated by vibrant tattoo colors, contrasting gritty exteriors with clinical interiors.
