Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.

With over two decades of experience in cinematography and editing, I have built a career that balances artistry, resilience, and collaboration. I love the escape from everyday reality that filmmaking provides. Collaborating with my team and other creatives to bring a story to life continues to excite me every time I step behind the camera. My documentaries and films allow me to express my authentic self and showcase what I’m capable of as a storyteller. With The Next Frame documentary series, I’ve been able to highlight the journeys of other filmmakers while growing in my own craft. That ongoing balance of creativity, collaboration, and discovery keeps me inspired.

What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?

For me, Chair on Stair Films has always been about creating with an open mind and transforming simple concepts into something fresh and impactful. The name itself is a reminder that inspiration can come from the most ordinary places, yet still grow into something memorable. My team and I embrace that philosophy with every project, taking ideas, whether simple or complex, and bringing them to life through the lens of our cameras. We believe stories don’t need to be complicated to make an impact, and that mindset guides everything we create.

How can people join or learn more about what you do?

Please visit our website.

Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?

The Next Frame is a documentary series my business partner, Brendan Adam, and I created to shine a light on overlooked creative talent in the Midwest. For us, it’s about using our storytelling skills and creative tools to showcase others’ journeys rather than focusing solely on our own. Audiences learn from the artists we feature, and we learn from them as well. Each episode is a collaborative effort, and seeing the creatives we work with grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding. By uplifting others, we all grow together as filmmakers and artists, and it’s that shared growth that inspires everything we do with the series.

What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?

We are four years into The Next Frame, and each day since has been a blessing. I am proud of the fact that creatives are reaching out to my team to be featured. Knowing that makes us feel proud. We are making a difference not only for the creatives featured, but for the whole Midwest. The biggest challenge so far is making sure each episode is completed with enough time and effort. Each episode is unique, making it a challenge every time to make it stand out on its own.

Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?

My best advice to any creative artist is to take big risks. Yes, it will be tough, but the toughness of a project is what makes you grow in your craft. Take that risk and say yes to challenges. You will be surprised where it will lead you.

Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.

Everyone so far has loved the meaning behind The Next Frame. My team is showcasing the hidden talent of the Midwest, a region that the entertainment industry tends to bypass. I love that everyone has learned something new from each episode. When I get feedback like that, I know we are on the right path.

Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’

…sharing personal, emotional visuals.