Introduce Yourself: Sign In Here First

Hello all,

I signed up for the D-Word a couple months ago, but never had a chance to introduce myself.... so, here goes. I am a filmmaker based in Missoula, Montana – I recently returned to Montana after 10 years in NYC working with a number of great people, many of whom are probably here on the D-Word.

My company is called BACKTRACK films, and we are pursuing some new ideas for documentaries out here in the West. We also do commercial work (gasp!), and are also working towards some narrative fiction (double gasp!). But my background and first love is documentary, so need to fret.

If anyone is ever out my way and needs any production help, please let me know. As many documentary filmmakers, I have had a hand in all aspects of filmmaking. You can view our portfolio on our website at www.backtrackfilms.com, or email me at elgin(at)backtrackfilms.com.

Glad to be on board, and look forward to listening to all the other expertise out there on the forums.

best,
elgin

Glad to have you finally pipe up, Elgin. Keep it coming. And if only someone would hire me to direct commercials (gasp!).

And a warm welcome to Ernst and Pete, as well.

Hi. My name is Roselly Torres and I've been working in independent film distribution for ten years. Currently I work at Third World Newsreel and I am responsible for acquiring documentary films made by or about people of color. If you wish to submit your film for educational distribution, please email distribution [at] twn.org.

Welcome to The D-Word, Roselly. We love people who acquire docs!

Thanks Doug!

Hello everyone,

I just recently graduated from the National Film & Television School, UK in Documentary Directing but have been working as an editor for about 5 years now. One of the biggest projects I have edited is The Edge of Dreaming by Amy Hardie (one of producers is Doug Block).

Now I am sending my documentary Miles Apart out to festivals which I shot in China and developing a new chinese documentary about a chinese investigative journalist.
Because of my Chinese Malaysian origin I always wanted to connect myself with my chinese roots which has been tricky as a born German. So last year I went for the first time to China to make this film about a rural family that is effected by the industrialization and I really fell in love with this country.

Am happy to be part of this group and am looking forward to chat about more things with you!

Welcome Ling. That's quite a journey of discovery, we're glad it has led you to The D-Word.

Fantastic to have you here, Ling. I can't tell you the number of compliments we've received for The Edge of Dreaming, and it's in no small measure due to your efforts. Looking forward to your new film.

Welcome, Ling and Roselly! Enjoy the ride :)

Hello folks,
I'm an emerging, non-union Director of Photography / Camera Operator with over 10 years of experience working on national TV commercials, music videos, and feature narrative films. My years of working in still photography gave me an extensive understanding of lighting and composition which I've segued into my cinematography. Although, I have no experience in non-fiction storytelling, I am extremely passionate about documenting the truth. As Federico Fellini once said,"My fantasy is to make something REAL". So, please feel free to contact me whether or not your next project calls for a Director of Photography and/or Camera Operator.

I look forward to meeting and hopefully working with all of you.

Thanks,
Mike

welcome to the d-word, michael.

Hello!

I have been a member of D word for a while but haven't really been using it much. Hope to interact much more in future! I am a film maker and cinematographer based in Mumbai, India and I can say that I almost specialise in working in documentary, non-fiction film and video art work, besides doing a mix of other jobs as a technician or for livelihood!

Mukul

Hey there,

I realize that I am probably a bit young compared to most of the people on this site, but I thought I would give it a shot anyways. I am 17 and I currently live in The Hague, The Netherlands. I will be moving back to New Hampshire at the end of the school year. I really haven't decided what I will do with the rest of my life. I really like photography and I would really love to get into documentary film making. I LOVE watching films that are about really current or very personal issues because they really grip me and glue me to the screen. I don't know much about film making and I am hoping to learn a lot!

I am hoping this is the start of something awesome and that I might find a whole new genre of art that I enjoy!!

Thanks!

Greetings Mukul – always good when a long-time lurker puts their head above the parapet. And welcome too Christian – check out our new Topic Recommended Docs for some great films to add to your list.

Hello everyone! My name is Michele Josue, and I'm brand new to this site. I'm currently directing my first documentary feature entitled "Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine" about my friend Matthew Shepard, who we lost in a brutal anti-gay crime in 1998. Through the voices of his friends and family, our film tells the story of the Matthew behind the headlines.

We're currently going the Kickstarter route and have been doing pretty well. One of our supporters recommended I check out the D-word, and I'm so glad she did!

Our Kickstarter video, which includes our film trailer, can be found here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1253709612/matt-shepard-is-a-friend-of-mine

Thanks for having me! I'm excited to be a part of this community!
Michele

Welcome to D-word, Michele. You'll hopefully get the financial support from Kickstarter, and all the other (equally or more important) forms of support from D-word :)

Hello! Name is Adam Johnson and I'm a first time producer... Green as Gumby. Worked mostly as a Prod. Mgr for the last 5 years to help support a family (barely). Working on a project now, feeling the highs and lows associated. I'm hooked.

Just from reading many of your posts on this great site, I don't know how much I can contribute, but I hope to be in the game for awhile. Maybe over time and some hard lessons learned- someday I can contribute and help others out as you have already helped me in the brief time I've already spent here. But, more importantly I hope to make a few friends along the way.

Please don't be a stranger! I'm located in Orange County, CA and am pretty dialed in to crews and equipment in the area- I personally have access to cameras (AF100, 5D), audio, lighting, etc. and can get them for you for near nothing.

Grateful to be here!
Adam

And we're glad to have you here, too, Adam. Welcome aboard, and thanks for the generous equipment offer.

I help independent filmmakers and documentarians with their copyright problems.

Just a quick e mail or call to 800 370 1776 will get you free advice.
You can check me out at 4cpermissions.com

Excited about meeting new people.
Cheryl

Hey Folks,
My name is Ray Metoyer and I've been a member of the site for a few years, but I just recently filled out the application to be a professional member. Thanks for accepting me.

As for me, I'm a news guy who started as a photographer and became a reporter/anchor and a producer. My early experience as a shooter made me a much better writer for broadcast projects. In fact I can still shoot great video today.

I've been in the business for awhile, working in Omaha, Denver, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta. Over the years, I've gravitated to long form story telling; first a series of related news stories and eventually entire programs. I hope to meet new colleagues here and that we can inspire each other to do great work.

Welcome Ray, good to have you on board!

Hey folks, Mike here. Just joined. I have a feature documentary 'Kink Crusaders'that's making the 2011 film festival rounds – and it took Best Documentary at CineKink NYC.

It is my current project that brings me here. I'm hoping to be able to gain insight of how to best handle the subject matter and the narrative.

Based out of Los Angeles. Heading to IDA's The Art of the Personal Documentary.

Well, I guess I'll see you there, Mike. Welcome to The D-Word and be sure to register as a Professional member for access to all the discussion topics. A warm welcome to Cheryl and Ray, as well.

Greetings! I'm Larry Peter and I've been in the film/video industry since 1985 beginning as an editor in New Orleans, then working virtually all crew positions over the next few years – from grip to sound to cinematographer and director. After several years of national TV commercials and music videos I left the production company and opened a post house so I could stop traveling and raise a family.

With kids grown, I'm behind a camera again with my focus on documentaries.(although commercial work still pays the bills for now) Completed a documentary in 2010,"The Art of Living," currently airing on Midwest PBS affiliates and have just applied for fiscal sponsorship for my current project, "They Wore the Red Suit," a film about the handful of men across the nation who have devoted their lives to being Santa Claus 24/7/365.

I look forward to getting to know all of you and learning as much as I can from your experiences.