https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/ First-person notes on directing, cinematography, performance and the choices behind the image. en-ca Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT James website management publication post-hook https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/what-i-learned-filming-at-kingfisher/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/what-i-learned-filming-at-kingfisher/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT Two days filming Kingfisher Interpretive Centre's outdoor education series, and the salmon, forest and watershed lessons that came home with me. Director Notes 2026-07-16T06:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/seeing-ginny-again-at-the-leo-awards/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/seeing-ginny-again-at-the-leo-awards/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT A James Alton Films journal note on Ginny's Story, the Child Advocacy Centre film, and seeing Ginny Becker again years later at the BC Leo Awards. Director Notes 2026-07-06T09:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/the-camera-has-to-earn-the-interview/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/the-camera-has-to-earn-the-interview/ Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT A current reflection on older documentary and interview work, from Ginny's Story to Kingfisher and other patient camera rooms. Director Notes 2026-07-03T09:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/why-the-image-has-to-feel-human/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/why-the-image-has-to-feel-human/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT A director note on starting with the person in the frame, then choosing the light, lens and movement around that. Director Notes 2026-06-26T09:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/lighting-for-restraint-faces-and-mood/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/lighting-for-restraint-faces-and-mood/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT A cinematography note on lighting The Older Bastard Brother, holding Dave MacKinnon's face, and keeping a compact western-inspired short restrained. Cinematography 2026-06-19T09:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/choosing-the-work-that-carries-the-voice/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/choosing-the-work-that-carries-the-voice/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT A note on late-2025 and 2026 projects, older frames that still hold up, and the choices I keep coming back to. Selected Work 2026-06-12T09:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/filming-performance-without-flattening-it/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/filming-performance-without-flattening-it/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT A performance-film note on dance, music, movement and giving the camera a role without letting it steal the piece. Performance 2026-06-05T09:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/directing-the-letter-in-a-small-room/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/directing-the-letter-in-a-small-room/ Fri, 29 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT A director note on The Letter, Harrison Mendel's DP work, and keeping a small Christmas-room scene from getting overbuilt. Director Notes 2026-05-29T09:00:00-0700 https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/what-blood-brothers-taught-me-about-the-room/ https://www.jamesaltonfilms.com/blog/what-blood-brothers-taught-me-about-the-room/ Fri, 22 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT A directing note on Blood Brothers, the built apartment set, and how a contained two-hander can make performance carry the pressure. Director Notes 2026-05-22T09:00:00-0700