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My Portfolio

Welcome to my portfolio. Here you’ll find a selection of my work. Explore my projects to learn more about what I do.

Where I Am as a Filmmaker
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Where I Am as a Filmmaker

LOGLINE: "Overcoming rejection and self-doubt due to his deafness, Donald M. Falls narrates his compelling ascent in the world of filmmaking. From his early fascination with photography and VHS camcorders to mastering the craft of cinematography and scriptwriting, Donald's journey is a testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of visual storytelling excellence." Donald M. Falls 4.1 Where I Am as a Filmmaker TRANSCRIPT: Donald: Hello, everyone! My name is Donald M. Falls, and I want to share my journey as a filmmaker. I've come a long way in my filmmaking journey. My story is unique because I was born deaf, which means I'm primarily a visual learner. In 1992, my interest in photography sparked, and in 1996, I discovered the captivating world of filmmaking. I vividly remember a family member holding a VHS camcorder, and I wanted to play with it. Unfortunately, I was rejected because of my deafness. But that rejection only fueled my passion. I dug into studying and stayed motivated. I immersed myself in movies, pored over editorial magazines, and became curious about filmmaking. I learned the works of famous creators, even though self-doubt whispered in the back of my mind, suggesting it might be impossible. Part of me always believed there was a way. As a young person, I started making videos and capturing images, even though I wasn't initially skilled. I never gave up. Over the years, I persevered, continuously mastering my craft. I had to learn about lighting, understand the technical aspects of cameras, study lenses for the perfect composition, master the art of editing footage and audio mixing, and even develop my skills in scriptwriting and managing workflows suitable for the industry level of filmmaking. Now, I can proudly say that I have advanced as a cinematographer. However, there are levels above that, and I'm eager to keep improving. I am willing to expand my knowledge and collaborate with a team to create an effective workflow. For years, I worked tirelessly to prove myself, even though finding people who believed in me was challenging. Instead, I focused on doing what I love, creating magic, and letting my work speak for itself. So, here I am, ready to embrace new opportunities, push my boundaries, and continue growing as a filmmaker. Thank you all for joining me on this incredible journey!
“What is Photography?” - 3.3 Favorite Things To Do Assignment
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“What is Photography?” - 3.3 Favorite Things To Do Assignment

LOGLINE: "Donald M. Falls traces his photographic odyssey, beginning with the magic of his first Polaroid at seven. His tale unfolds through the eras of film, DSLR, and mirrorless technology, culminating in the launch of his thriving photography business. Falls' story illuminates photography's role as a medium for narrative, self-expression, and personal development while offering valuable insights for budding photographers." Edited and VO by: Donald M. Falls 3.3 Favorite Things To Do Assignment “What is Photography?” 0:00 Intro 0:10 Photography Journey Started 0:20 Polaroid 0:26 Photography Evolved 0:48 Importance of Photography 1:11 Teen Years 1:35 DSLR 1:45 Mirrorless 1:55 My Photography Business 2:14 My Advice 2:38 Outro TRANSCRIPT: What is photography? Why do we capture images? Is it necessary? Well, let me tell you a story. I discovered photography at the age of 7 when I looked into my mom's closet, pressed the red button from a black box, and suddenly, the photo popped out! This Polaroid 600 One Step Camera was one of the most popular instant cameras for three decades. Photography is everywhere, including film cameras, DSLR, mirrorless, and even your smartphone. Photography is another form of art like drawing on paper, but instead, we are drawing with light. It has been in this world since the late 1830s, and it has improved over the years with advanced technology. The importance of photography is to tell a story, capture memories, connect with people, be creative, build confidence, reduce stress, and understand the meaning of life. Photography can help you evoke emotion and allow you to express your feelings. I used to take the point and shoot cameras everywhere to capture anything and then get it to film developed and printed at Walgreens. When I was in my teens, I stopped by stores to look into magazines. I find myself looking at mostly fashion and portraitures. Dan Winters is one of my favorite photographers. I doubted myself that I would be at the master's level. It did not stop my love and passion for photography. I realized it only requires knowledge, time, and practice. I learned more after using DSLR but found the weight is somewhat heavy to sacrifice for image quality. Then I decided to go with mirrorless, a compact system. It was lightweight. Fujifilm X-T1 was the camera that brought back the joy of my photography journey. Since 2012, I have been a professional photographer specializing in portraits, fashion, editorial, studio, and more. I primarily use flash and vintage lenses with a modern camera to create my style. I have been shooting for 30 years. My advice for learning and mastering photography: buy what you can afford, any brand that fits your liking, and you don't need the most expensive gear. Take many pictures, understand how cameras works, read photography books, watch online tutorials, go to live seminars, create a story, capture moments, find your style, and have fun! Photography is a lifetime activity! Keep Shooting and be happy! Cite: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-a-camera-3183132/ https://www.pexels.com/video/girl-taking-photo-with-a-boy-6686146/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-clouds-over-mountain-4085643/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-leaves-in-close-up-photography-7909360/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/polaroid-picture-of-sea-10557440/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-and-brown-grass-near-sea-under-blue-sky-7930855/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/female-with-instant-camera-against-blue-sky-6121164/ https://flic.kr/p/q6Pam https://www.pexels.com/photo/stack-of-fashion-magazines-on-floor-6045028/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-film-strip-4201333/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-film-strip-4201333/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-film-strip-4201333/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photo-of-rocky-mountain-11055830/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/camera-and-film-strip-11105442/ https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/fuji-x-t1/ZURFRONT-NOLENS.jpg https://us.polaroid.com/products/square-600-polaroid-camera https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-black-and-gray-cameras-1983038/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/grey-and-black-camera-on-green-background-1983037/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-sitting-on-gang-chairs-2774556/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-sony-dslr-camera-on-white-surface-45889/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/dslr-cameras-and-lenses-3989612/ https://www.pexels.com/photo/motivational-simple-inscription-against-doubts-5238645/
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