One of the niche services that I provide is my ability to work as a previsual director of photography within the confines of CG games and features. Working with virtual and live action cameras in a studio space, I’m able to then block out entire sequences from scratch via computer. This process has given me the rare opportunity to quickly and easily perceive how story can flow from shot to shot and has allowed me the freedom to experiment with computer generated camera moves that I wouldn’t normally have the freedom to in a live action setting. After a successful bout working on the game ‘Sleeping Dogs’ as a previsual cinematographer, Goldtooth Creative gave me the opportunity to co-direct the Sleeping Dogs story trailer along side director Ian Simon Fenton. Check it out.

The Nature Trust of BC has secured over 61,000 hectares (150,000 acres) of critical habitat for wildlife, plants and fish in British Columbia. I recently shot this traditional-style short video, and it was used to promote and raise money so that the Nature Trust could officially purchase this Okanagan property.
Special thanks to George Faulkner for his assistance in the field, editorial work, and original music track.

Recently spent a week DOP’ing for award winning documentary film director Nettie Wild. The focus was on the legendary salmon run that occurs annually in Adams River and we managed to come away with some incredible images. Working with Nettie was a truly awesome experience in that she allowed us to really break away from traditional ‘literal’ styles of wildlife shooting. We strove for a visual aesthetic that felt experimental, but at the same time told a story in every image.

Special thanks to Steve Breckon (our camera assist) for his talent and wisdom on location.

Completed my film Fallen Gardens and it is now online. The film recently won a Critics Choice Award at the BCSPCA Wild Arc Film Festival in Victoria and it will make it’s US debute at the Santa Cruz Film Festival (May 10-19, 2012).

This piece follows three neighbors and their devotion to garden culture. The film focuses on co-existance between society and nature; the love/hate relationship between humans and deer.

This black and white mood piece touches on professional bmx’er Travis Collier, and his influences growing up as a flatland bike rider. This is the last installment of a three part series with Travis, and all three videos reflect his different experiences within the confines of flatland bmx. Root has recently been accepted into the Kalamazoo Film Festival which takes place April 26th/2012.

More filming with the Wilderness Committee. This time we did a trip to 100 Mile and did a piece on the elusive badger. Less then 300 left in BC, these beautiful animals are suffering from habitat destruction as well as roadkill casualties. I hope that inspirational pieces such as this will open peoples eyes to appreciating the importance of these amazing creatures.

BADGER from Mike McKinlay on Vimeo.

In March of 2011 I spent a Saturday in Kelowna B.C. working as cinematographer on a short piece for the Okanagan Regional Library district. The video is meant to inspire people to spend more time at the library. I hope it serves it’s purpose.

Special thanks to director/producer Jordy Starling for getting me on board to DP it.

Our Regional Library System from Jordy Starling on Vimeo.

‘SPOTS’ is the second installment in a two part series of videos that I shot and directed starring professional BMX’er Travis Collier. It explores the lives of the flatground bike rider and the years they spend turning everyday parking lots into grounds for creativity and comradery among friends. I filmed with Travis over a two day period and I’m really happy with the results. SPOTS has already made its way into the Simpel Session Film Festival (in Tallinn Estonia) which will take place February 5-6th.

TRAVIS COLLIER ‘SPOTS’ from Mike McKinlay on Vimeo.