Officially Accepting More Commercial Clients!

For as long as I can remember, storytelling has been a huge passion of mine. From songwriting in high school to writing blogs on this website, it’s always played an important my life. As an adventure documentary filmmaker, I have felt super privileged to witness and share some pretty compelling human stories set against the backdrop of nature’s grandeur.

After a few years of creating documentaries for brands and film festivals, even securing an Emmy nomination along the way, I’m super excited to announce that I’m going to be expanding my horizons to embrace more commercial and lifestyle projects, bringing my storytelling approach to new formats and audiences. While this isn’t a totally new step, as I’ve been working with brands for years, I’m excited to bridge the gap between meaningful storytelling and commercial interests.

Who I’ve Worked With

The Power of Storytelling

The essence of storytelling lies in its ability to convey experiences, emotions, and lessons in a way that resonates deeply with the audience. Throughout my career, I've discovered that storytelling is not just about capturing events on camera but about weaving a narrative that speaks to the heart and soul. Some may think storytelling is limited to longer form pieces, where the length of the episode, film or article allow for a depth that isn’t found elsewhere but that’s simply not true. A well-told story can happen at any length or format - and it often has.

Storytelling has allowed me to delve into the raw, unfiltered human experience. From documenting various surf communities around the world in the Goat Surf Club (totaling, so far, to over 150 minutes) to capturing Addie's journey in "Unseen Peaks," (9 minutes) the power of authenticity has been a central theme. Authentic storytelling resonates with all types of audiences because it reflects real struggles, triumphs, and emotions, creating a connection that transcends the screen.

Impact and Inspiration

A well-crafted story has the power to inspire and create change. Through my branded documentaries, I've seen how storytelling can highlight important issues, foster understanding, and bring communities together. Making the transition into commercial storytelling, I hope to continue to bring my storytelling skillset into these projects to help companies reach their communities that are excited about their products.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of vulnerability in storytelling. As you’ve read time and time again here on my website, marketing is all about being personable. Being open and genuine, whether behind the camera or in front of it, as I experienced in "The Goat Surf Club," brings a new level of depth and relatability to the narrative. It’s this authenticity that engages audiences and makes stories memorable. Now, as I take my storytelling experiences from the branded documentary world and begin to apply them to commercial and lifestyle content for brands, I feel confident that we can continue to share stories and create feelings that last.

Growth and Evolution

As I look back on my career, I feel super grateful for the growth and evolution that has taken place. This journey of growth and evolution has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation, driving me to explore new genres, formats, and storytelling techniques. Looking back at the documentaries I made way back in 2016, I feel like I’ve come so far. From figuring out how to make a career as a documentary filmmaker financially viable to premiering my first film at a festival, there were so many joyous lessons along the way.

Embracing New Challenges

My journey began with a deep passion for adventure and the outdoors, which naturally led me to documentary filmmaking. Over the years, I’ve embraced new challenges and ventured into different formats and genres, each bringing its own set of opportunities for growth. Projects like "Keep Up" took me beyond the outdoor industry and into the world of music documentaries, expanding my horizons and pushing me out of my comfort zone but proving to myself and others that I am capable of doing more than an adventure documentary.

Through these experiences, I’ve refined my skills and developed a deeper understanding of the art of storytelling. Each project has taught me something new, not just about filmmaking, but about the resilience, passion, and strength of the human spirit. This continuous learning and growth have been essential in shaping me as a filmmaker and storyteller.

Why I’ll Be Accepting More Commercial Work…

As I look to the future of my filmmaking career, I’m excited to begin accepting more commercial projects after nearly a decade of documentaries - a decision rooted in both practicality and a deep-seated desire to expand my creative horizons. Over the years, I have honed my storytelling skills through the laborious yet incredibly rewarding process of documentary filmmaking. Each project, from capturing the perseverance of mountain guides to documenting the resilience of blind adventurers, has taught me the power of a well-told story.

However, the meticulous and time-intensive nature of documentaries means that each film takes months, sometimes years, to complete and release (Unseen Peaks was finished in July 2023 and, one year later, is still unable to be released publicly because of film festivals and award nominations). This extended timeline has often limited my ability to produce repeat value for the clients that I work with, leaving me yearning for a medium that allows for more frequent creative output and collaboration.

Transitioning into the commercial realm offers a compelling solution to this challenge. By leveraging the storytelling expertise I have cultivated, I can create high-impact, meaningful content for brands that resonate with their audiences. The shorter format of commercials - whether it's a 30-second spot or a 2-3 minute storytelling piece - provides an opportunity to distill powerful narratives into concise, engaging pieces that capture attention and convey messages effectively. This shift not only allows me to produce more content for brands that I already have worked with but also enables me to experiment with different storytelling techniques and visual styles, keeping my creative skills sharp and diverse.

Through these partnerships, I’m trying to bring a fresh perspective to commercial content, infusing it with the authenticity and emotional depth that define my documentary work. Whether it's showcasing the passion and dedication of a brand's team, highlighting the benefits of a groundbreaking product, or telling a compelling brand story, I am eager to apply my narrative-driven approach to create content that not only promotes but also inspires.

In case you read this and are super bummed I’m no longer a documentary filmmaker, don’t worry - I’ll still be making documentaries but likely less frequently than the rate I’ve been creating them previously.

If you are needing a filmmaker and/or photographer for any of your content needs, feel free to reach out below!

Let’s Work Together!

Roo is a commercial/documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Boulder, Colorado but travels all around the world for his filmmaking career.

He has directed documentaries for Patagonia in California, produced films for Outside Magazine throughout Europe and Africa, camera operated for Netflix in the Rocky Mountain West, photographed among indigenous communities in South America, and has received notable recognition in his hometown of Orcas Island in Washington State for his work telling uplifting stories in the outdoor space.