Owner | Director | Cinematographer
When I was young, I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to be. I felt drawn to so many different occupations and pastimes. I wanted to do everything. My dad once told me, “do what you do and do it well, but you can’t do everything.” I felt empty with the lack of clarity and purpose, all while wanting everything. Eventually, I discovered a love for filmmaking. Collecting little moments of time, cutting them together, exploring connections and juxtapositions, critiquing, learning and growing with each attempt at creating a film. Over time, story began to settle itself into my process, if nothing else but to help organize my own thoughts. I began thinking about the beginning, middle and end. I began to recognize how and why things came to be in a story and how different angles, motions, formats, pacing, lighting, sound, color, language, characters, locations, trends, techniques all have an effect on how people view a film. Exploring this process has evolved into a calling to tell stories. To build an emotional trajectory, to feel, connect, dissect, interpret, question, identify with and be inspired by. As the many nuances of story, craft and audience align, a moment can happen that can truly change the course of ones life. Honest moments, real scenarios, unexpected beauty have a massive impact on me. When I experience an intentional story, made with heart, from the inside out, I find myself faced with jolts of inspiration or paralyzing sadness or overwhelming appreciation for this opportunity to be alive, to connect with others, to love my family, to tell stories.
I’ve had the opportunity to tell stories for clients that help them connect with their patrons and their own employees. The process starts with their core mission, vision and values. I immerse myself into their world and learn everything I can about why they operate, and the role they play in their customers and employees lives. From there the story develops and spirals from the center. I’m humbled as I realize that I’ve had the opportunity to engage in countless trades, practices, and perspectives from all over the world.
One thing I’ve found in common with all my clients, both large and small, is that we all have passion, we want to live life in-love with what we do.
My dad left a huge impression on me and inspired me to do what I do and do it well. But one thing is a bit different from his advise. Through filmmaking, I can do everything. And I can go anywhere, which is helpful, because, Stories are everywhere.
charley@voortexproductions.com