September came and I was invited to join a crew of award winning filmmakers on what has proven to be a serious adventure. And I’ve had a few. Now as 2011 looms hours away that adventure continues and I am preparing for what may be one of the biggest challenges yet in this life. And I just feel incredibly fortunate and blessed. At the start of the year I am faced with the level of opportunity and responsibility I have been seeking for years. This is a strange juxtaposition from the disappointment of last January.

Here are few of the creative highlights from 2010.

LET ME IN – I actually shot this in late 09 for Mathew Schutt but it was released in 2010 so I am including it here. This video went on to screen in almost 40 Film Festivals around the world, it won a few awards and my cinematography was even nominated. Best of all it was an excellent experience to shoot. I’m proud of this little video and the vision that Matt realized as a director.

RUNNING AWAY – I am also proud of this video which I directed and edited, even if the experience couldn’t have been more different. We shot this in late 09 but it was finished in 2010 after what seemed like a herculean effort that I don’t care to ever repeat. A lot of people worked very hard to help me make this and many of them didn’t get thanked or paid by the people they should have. But we got it done and I think it’s memorable and unique.

MCBRIDE ON STRAIGHTEDGE – Marks been my friend for a decade. He wrote this and I directed and edited it, again with lots of help from people who didn’t get paid but had lots of fun. I LOVE Bo Blount’s music. I very proud of this little piece.

In a week I’m gonna be back in remote Alaska bobbing around on the Bering sea for a few months. This blog will be programmed to spit out a daily dose of my photography from 2010 and I’m sure when I return I’ll have a few thoughts to share. Until then, be safe and be kind, to yourself and everyone else. Happy New Year.

- Staley Out

- Staley Out

FEARLESS FILM FESTIVAL
Fort Worth, Texas
Sat Apr 10, 2010 @ 11:45AM & 2:30PM, Sun Apr 11, 2010 @ 1:00PM
David L. Tandy Lecture Hall, Fort Worth Central Library

LONDON INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
London, England, United Kingdom
Thu Apr 22, 2010 @ 5:30PM
Roxy Cinema, 123-132 Borough High Street

CONNECTICUT FILM FESTIVAL
Danbury, Connecticut
Sat May 8, 2010 @ 12:00PM
Common Council Chambers, 155 Deer Hill Ave

SWANSEA BAY FILM FESTIVAL
Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
Sat May 8, 2010 @ 10:00AM
Dylan Thomas Centre, Somerset Place, Swansea

DANCES WITH FILMS
Los Angeles, California
Date/Time TBA (festival is June 3-10, 2010)
Laemmle’s Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood

WASHOUGAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Washougal, Washington
Date/Time/Venue TBA (festival is August 11-15, 2010)

WORLD MUSIC AND INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
Washington, DC
Sat August 28, 2010 (Time/Venue TBA)

First up is the Fearless Film Festival in Fortworth Texas on April 8th to the 11th. A couple of my really good friends from Alaska live in Fortworth so Paul and Anna, you better go see it!

Then is the Swansea Film Festival in Wales UK. I don’t know anyone there but the festival is hosted by Catherine Zeta Jones so maybe you want to take the trip?

I love festivals and I’m so proud of Matts work and happy that this little video is getting a real audience outside of YouTube. Matt was a VERY prepared yet low key director and Kelly’s song is awesome. It was seriously one of the best experiences I’ve had shooting for someone, ever. Makes me all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it…

All I ever wanted to do is work with cool people and make cools stuff. Mission accomplished with “Let Me In”.

-Staley Out

I shot a couple fashion commercials for director Benham Mokri last weekend. Ben is a visionary talent and great to work with. He’s also a good friend. This is a still taken from the Red One in between takes. Good times.

Ben Staley: Cinematographer