About Seth

Gestalt Filmmaker

Maybe I’m old school. Perhaps I’m a purist. Whatever the case, I could never settle down into one aspect of filmmaking. I love the totality of the medium. While each area offers its own unique stamp on creative expression, ultimately, from beginning to end, it’s about communicating an idea – a story. The challenge of bringing that idea to life through Moving Pictures is so alluring that I could never resign myself to just one phase.

That’s not to say I need to do everything myself. Several of the projects in my portfolio have the roles of DP or Editor filled by other talented individuals. It all depends on the nature of the production. If the budget and schedule permit, I love collaborating with “specialists” and can draw from my own large network if desired. But occasionally a project is constrained in some way or maybe just needs that personal touch. In such cases, whether it’s production or post, rest assured I am in my element.

Good Mentor

I’ve loved making movies since I was a kid. When my Grandma went back to college and sent me essays on Stanley Kubrick I was hooked. I went on to get an undergraduate degree and M.F.A. in Film Production from USC. Shortly after graduating I began directing and editing commercials for local cable markets. I’ve learned much about the craft during each phase of my career, but my real break came in the Spring of 2007 when I was brought on as the filmmaker-in-residence for WME, the production company of Grammy/Golden-Globe winner Dave Stewart (formerly of Eurythmics).

Aside from his storied music career, Dave is a successful filmmaker, photographer, businessman and new media entrepreneur. For Dave, everything is a creative exercise. He latches on to any artistic experience and heartily encouraged me to do the same. Through his tutelage, I learned to deconstruct compartmentalized filmmaking and embrace the creative thread that runs through it all. To Dave, a painter paints, a musician makes music, and a filmmaker makes films. Accordingly, I was in charge of all the videos WME made from pre-production to post. The spots have aired on HBO, ABC, CBS, CNN and one was even shown to tens of thousands in front of the Lincoln Memorial just before President Obama took the stage.

Technophile

Since I refuse to confine myself to one area of the medium, I’ve become technically proficient in both production and post. It’s amazing how expedient and cost effective this can be.

If it’s a camera that records moving pictures I can operate it. Once we get to post I have many tools at my disposal. I use Final Cut Pro and After Effects religiously. Sound design? No problem. Delivery? I can deliver in any format from HD to broadcast to web. Technology should only enhance the creative process, never get in the way of it.

About Seth

Gestalt Filmmaker

Good Mentor

Technophile

Further Reading