This documentary explores the cinematic allure of Western North Carolina, from its rugged mountain trails to its historic architectural landmarks. Produced during my time at UNC Asheville, the film serves as a technical showcase of high-end cinematography and narrative-driven editing.

Cinematography & Lighting (DP)

As the Director of Photography, my objective was to achieve a high-fidelity, professional aesthetic that matched the prestige of our locations.

• Studio-Level Interviews: I designed and executed complex lighting setups for professional interviews, including a centerpiece shoot conducted inside the Biltmore Estate’s main ballroom. Managing a full equipment load-in and lighting a space of that scale required precise technical planning and execution.

• Camera Systems: All principal photography was captured on Blackmagic Cinema Cameras, utilizing their dynamic range to pull rich textures from the Appalachian landscape.

• Aerial Visuals: I integrated drone cinematography to provide sweeping scale and high-production-value B-roll, tethering the human stories to the vast geography of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Editorial & Post-Production

In the edit suite, I was responsible for carving a cohesive narrative from hours of interview footage and environmental b-roll.

• Narrative Arc: I structured the documentary to bridge the gap between the area’s natural beauty and its growing reputation as a filming destination.

• Archival Integration: To add historical context, I curated and seamlessly integrated snippets and clips from classic films produced in the region, blending archival footage with our original 4K cinematography to create a polished, comprehensive visual history.

Technical Specs

• Camera: Blackmagic Design Cinema Series

• Aerials: 4K Drone Capture

• Location: Asheville, NC (Featuring the Biltmore Estate)

• Software: Adobe Premiere Pro / DaVinci Resolve