Whaleheart Productions

08/23/2024

'Dark & Tender', which I'm currently editing, got some good press.

https://www.cutproject.org/

A short film highlighting the process of racial healing through touch is underway in the Pacific Northwest.

08/22/2024

Great news! The Port Townsend Film Festival schedule has been released, and passes and tickets are on sale now.

If you are a film lover with limited financial resources contact [email protected] to request a free 6-Pass, made possible by the Peter Simpson Free Cinema Fund. Limited to one request per person per year.

On August 29th pass and ticket holders can begin reserving their seats in specific screenings.

Two films that I'm very proud to have worked on will feature at this year's festival. If you haven't already, check out the trailers below and join myself and the filmmakers at the screenings if you're able.

'Dark and Tender' (trailer below) will show on Friday, September 20 at 7pm as part of the Black Filmmakers and the PNW Forum in the Pope Marine building. We're just about done editing this 18-minute documentary that "follows ten Black men on a transformative retreat with the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project outside Seattle, WA. The men seek to reclaim platonic intimacy and tenderness through close encounters with nature and depictions of gentle Black masculinity, restoring the vital aspect of touch by replacing violence and rough play with care, connection, and intimacy."

https://youtu.be/-fsLLTrOGAo

Call of the Orcas (trailer below) shows on Saturday, September 21 at 1pm in the Rose Theater as part of a Local Shorts program and again on Sunday, September 22 at 7pm in the Key City Public Theater. COTO "explores the urgent effort to understand and recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of their human champions, including Ken Balcomb, who passed away in 2022."

https://vimeo.com/847613220

Lastly, several festival volunteer shifts (with benefits) are still available. Sign up before it's too late. https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/781785980032/false #/invitation

Dark and Tender is about the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project, a movement supporting People of the Global Majority — people of color — to access health...

08/13/2024

I fell in love with video editing in my mid-20's, but what I have never loved are the long hours of sitting at the computer.

Two things help tremendously: being excited about the project you're working on, and when the footage you have to work with is inspiring, uplifting, and heartwarming.

And that is exactly how I would describe the footage for Dark & Tender, a new short documentary about a "movement supporting People of the Global Majority — people of color — to access healthy, nourishing, platonic touch in a culture that, in the United States, denies it at every turn." (from the film's website).

The film, which was mostly shot this past spring and is nearing completion, has a special sneak preview screening at a special Black Filmmaker's Panel at this year's Port Townsend Film Festival on Sept. 20th from 7-9pm at the Pope Marine building. It has been an absolute pleasure working with the director, Aaron Johnson, of the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project and the Producer and a participant in the film, Ben Wilson, of Color of Sound.

I hope you can join us in September to see the film, learn more about this important movement, as well as about other projects by local Black filmmakers.

Dark and Tender is about the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project, a movement supporting People of the Global Majority — people of color — to access health...

07/31/2024

We’re about to open the live audience studio shoot of Living Incognegro at

07/31/2024

We’re about to open the live audience studio shoot of Living Incognegro at Key City Public Theatre.

07/25/2024

Call of the Orcas, a short documentary in which I'm credited as the Director of Photography, will screen at the Port Townsend Film Festival in September this year. Directed by my friend and longtime collaborator, Jessica Plumb, the film explores the urgent efforts to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb, who passed away in 2022.

The film is beautiful, educational, and inspiring in the way it showcases Balcomb and a handful of others who have dedicated countless hours to protecting and restoring these magnificent creatures. I hope you'll make a point of seeking it out at the festival.

Official Selection of the 2024 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's CapitalExplores urgent efforts to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whal...

07/25/2024

We recently completed two new videos for the Port Townsend Film Festival, a 15 second spot and a slightly longer 45 sec about video. Enjoy and hope to see you at the fest in September.

Port Townsend Film Festival 15 sec promo (2024)

07/25/2024

We recently completed two new videos for the Port Townsend Film Festival, a 15 second spot and a slightly longer 45 sec about video. Enjoy and hope to see you at the fest in September.

https://youtu.be/Seo1Yf50QBI
https://www.whaleheartproductions.com/

07/03/2024

This new video for Jefferson County Public Health gives a brief tutorial on administering Naloxone (also commonly known as Narcan), a life-saving opioid-reversal medication now available at JCPH. Opioid use is increasingly common, and it's a good idea to have a basic understanding of how this medication can save lives in case you ever inadvertently find yourself in a situation where someone has overdosed.

07/03/2024

This new video on harm reduction for Jefferson County Public Health features Dr. David Carlbom, Medical Program Director at East Jefferson Fire & Rescue, as well as Brenainnn Mack-Hazelwood, a local community advocate and celebrated drag performer.

According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), "harm reduction is an evidence-based approach that is critical to engaging with people who use drugs and equipping them with life-saving tools and information to create positive change in their lives and potentially save their lives." Or, as Dr. Carlbom puts it in the video, "harm reduction, at its essence, is abandoning perfection." This video explores some of the nuances of the approach, why it matters, as well as some local resources. I hope you find it informative.

A brief education video about harm reduction and local services.

06/16/2024

Happy Father’s Day! Last second but I’m planning to video document the peace action organized by my father-in-law, Douglas Milholland, today from noon-4pm at the park across the street from the Naval base on Indian Island, and I’m looking for a volunteer sound person to run a boom mic for me. My gear, of course. It’s super easy and I’m happy to train if necessary. PM me. Thanks!

06/14/2024

About to film the legendary Flying Karamazov Brothers at the Fields Center in Port Angeles.

05/09/2024

Great day for a sail!

04/18/2024

Hooray! The crowdfunding campaign was successful thanks to 94 generous supporters and many more who shared it around. A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

We raised about 85% of our goal, but with money given on the side plus pledges of future support the campaign reached 105%. Amazing!!!

If you missed the campaign and would like to contribute toward later stage post-production goals you can do so via check. Just message me and I'll send you details.

If you just want to follow along you can do so by hitting the 'Follow' button on the campaign page. Or message me and I'll add you to the list of followers.

It feels so good to have received such generous support of this project. The rest of the team and I look forward to sharing our progress in the coming months.

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary
https://www.whaleheartproductions.com/documentary

04/18/2024

This is the final hour for our crowdfunding campaign. While it says it's at 85% we have received enough overall to be funded (80%+) and enough $ on the side to put us a little over 100% combined. So, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed and/or shared.

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

Any additional contributions will go toward our stretch goal of being able to complete a rough cut of the film. If you're seeing this after 10:10 this morning (April 18) you can still contribute (with incentives) via check sent to Whaleheart Productions. Message me and I'll get you the details.

Also, hitting 'Follow' on the campaign page is a great way to stay posted on the film's progress regardless of whether you're able to contribute or not.

Damian is an aspiring comic and spiritual healer battling addiction and the stresses of homelessness. Michael is a passionate advocate for recovery fueled by decades of lived experience. Together, they struggle to overcome their demons and live lives of creativity, compassion and connection.

04/17/2024

Can you help us get to 100% funded by contributed and/or sharing? Thank you!

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

04/16/2024

Can you help us get to 100% funded?
https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

04/13/2024

YESSSS!!!

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

04/13/2024

I'm thrilled to say that there's just $8 to go before the campaign reaches the threshold for receiving funding. Who will be the one to get it over the line?

Damian is an aspiring comic and spiritual healer battling addiction and the stresses of homelessness. Michael is a passionate advocate for recovery fueled by decades of lived experience. Together, they struggle to overcome their demons and live lives of creativity, compassion and connection.

04/12/2024

Wow! Just wow!

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

04/11/2024

The team and I just found out that the next $350 in contributions toward our documentary will be matched by two generous individuals.

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

There are exactly 6 days, and 20 hours of the campaign left and it's currently at 69%. We need to hit 80% to get funded but if we get to 100% we aim to be able to create an assembly cut of the feature film.

Thanks everyone for checking it out and sharing.

04/11/2024

The campaign has just one week left and needs additional support. Thanks to 75 generous contributions it's getting close, but we're not quite there yet.

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

Please take a minute to check it out and share it here on FB, Instagram (), or elsewhere.

Thank you!

Damian is an aspiring comic and spiritual healer battling addiction and the stresses of homelessness. Michael is a passionate advocate for recovery fueled by decades of lived experience. Together, they struggle to overcome their demons and live lives of creativity, compassion and connection.

04/08/2024

04/04/2024

The documentary and crowdfunding campaign got a good article in the Leader yesterday. If you haven't seen it yet I hope you'll check it out and give the campaign a quick look-see. Thanks!

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

04/02/2024

What does humor have to do with homelessness? Strange question, right?

The other day I stumbled across a really good podcast (link at end) that, among other things, explores the idea of using humor to tackle big issues such as race, s*x, class, etc. Beyond the obvious appeal of levity, the concept is that people–no matter their circumstances–are more than just their suffering. As I was listening, I was very much reminded that my hope is to do just that with the documentary, 'Damian & Michael', that I’m currently crowdfunding for (link below).

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

Humor is not my default. I don’t consider myself particularly funny, although certain people and situations will bring it out in me. That is definitely one of the reasons I was drawn to both Damian and Michael when I first met them at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds over three years ago. In their own ways they each have a great sense of humor. Together, they will alternate fluidly between discussing important subjects and joking around about any old thing.

That is why I have edited this short compilation of scenes that show these two amazing men at their funniest, or at least some of their funniest that I've captured in my footage. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to sharing with you the completed film which aims to present its participants in all their complexity, including at their most amusing and joyous.

Thanks for reading and remember that even if you're not in a place to contribute to this project sharing the campaign and following along helps a lot!

'The New Story Is' Podcast: Centering Women--and more than just people's suffering--in stories
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DqTonWdMtDL95OCMoXjdj?si=a973f7fb75f94c35

https://tinyurl.com/dmdocumentary

04/02/2024

Just a quick note to say that the crowdfunding campaign is at 62% with 16 days to go, which is great. AND if you have a minute to check it out, share, and support if you're able we would be very grateful. Thank you!

Damian is an aspiring comic and spiritual healer battling addiction and the stresses of homelessness. Michael is a passionate advocate for recovery fueled by decades of lived experience. Together, they struggle to overcome their demons and live lives of creativity, compassion and connection.

03/28/2024

Midway through shooting video for the documentary I'm working on I attended an event that the City of Port Townsend, put on about the housing crisis in our community. I documented the activities as well as the keynote speakers at the event, one of whom was our mayor David Faber. David spoke about a book, Fixer Upper by Jenny Schuetz (link below), about housing policy in the United States.

There are so many great takeaways in this book, but the big one for me is that equity in housing is about so much more than people's personal incomes or the housing market itself. The government, at all levels, has tremendous power to influence equity in housing. Local municipalities can work toward making permitting quicker and cheaper, change zoning laws to allow for greater density, and alter property tax structures to encourage construction on undeveloped lots. States can pass laws supporting cities when the inevitable push-back comes to the above measures. And the federal government can increase funding for various programs that support housing and housing security. And much more.

As you probably guessed, I highly recommend this book if you're at all interested in this topic, especially in relation to local politics, which is where the average person can have the most influence.

03/25/2024

Call of the Orcas, a short doc I DP'd, is playing at the DC Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital today, 1pm. If you happen to be in DC, check out the "Protectors" program, https://dceff.eventive.org/schedule/65d619e26232d20061e68341