UNTANGLING AN OCEAN
APPROACH & EXECUTION
In this documentary, Curtis's team took a chronological approach to storytelling, immersing viewers in the expedition's challenges and triumphs. The 7-day production journey was marked by a commitment to capturing the expedition's raw and unscripted moments. The team's use of innovative filming techniques, such as aerial drone shots and underwater camera work, vividly illustrated the plight of the ocean.
IMPACT & TESTIMONIALS
1. Brooke Lees, Vice Chair (ESPS):
“We worked with Curtis to capture our ghost gear removal project in Double Bay Sanctuary, BC in spring of 2023. The project had some significant challenges, including the remoteness of the location and difficult subject matter. Despite these conditions, he was able to capture incredible footage, and thoughtfully crafted a film that hit the tone of our organization perfectly. We were absolutely blown away by the high quality of work, the genuine desire to share this important issue, and the way our organization was represented. The film is powerful and almost hypnotic in its presentation, really drawing in the audience to watch the project unfold and to learn more about this issue - which was our ultimate goal. We are looking forward to more projects together in future!”
2. Joel Baziuk, Associate Director (Global Ghost Gear Initiative):
“In 2022, the Emerald Sea Protection Society, one of our long-time GGGI members, was awarded a grant through the GGGI Small Grants Program to do some lost fishing gear removal work in the Double Bay Sanctuary. One of the grant deliverables was to produce a video documenting the removal work. I've seen many of these kinds of videos in the past, but when I saw the final cut of Untangling an Ocean, I was blown away by the work that Curtis did. The video was incredible. Haunting. Moving. The visuals and cinematography were breathtaking, and most important of all, the tone of this work and why it matters was captured perfectly. We couldn't be happier with both the quality of the work and the value for money“
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT
Following the release of the documentary, ESPS was awarded a six-figure grant, a testament to the film's impact. This grant was notably the easiest and quickest they had ever secured. ESPS attributed this success to the inclusion of the short doc in their pitch, underscoring the documentary's effectiveness in conveying their mission and efforts in marine conservation. This achievement highlights the power of storytelling in environmental advocacy and the pivotal role of visual media in amplifying crucial messages.
A RIDER’S STYLE
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Le Club, in partnership with Universal Colours, embarked on a captivating project to highlight the personal narrative of one of their ambassadors through "A Rider's Style". This documentary-style venture, expertly led by Curtis and his team, aimed to delve deeply into the ambassador's passion for cycling, resonating both visually and emotionally with its audience.
IMPACT & TESTIMONIALS
1. Alex Godbout-Simard, Creative Director (LeClub)
"Working with Curtis's team was a revelation. Their professionalism and receptiveness perfectly aligned with our vision. The final product not only fulfilled but elevated our initial ideas. The project’s success was evident in the minimal need for revisions and the acclaim it received post-release. Collaborating with Curtis was an absolute pleasure."
CHALLENGES
The central challenge of the project lay in authentically capturing the ambassador's deep-seated passion for cycling, aiming to go beyond mere visual storytelling to resonate with the soul of the cycling community and beyond. Additionally, the team faced logistical constraints, operating with a modest crew and constrained by a tight two-day filming schedule. This demanded meticulous precision, creative efficiency, and a keen eye for detail to effectively encapsulate the true essence of cycling within this limited timeframe.
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT
A Rider's Style" achieved nearly 20,000 views on Le Club's Instagram and was prominently featured on the homepages of both Le Club and Universal Colours. The video also became Le Club's most viewed reel on Instagram. A public screening at Le Club's cafe in Montreal received exceptional feedback.