When it comes to filmmaking, Alex Robinson is ready to lend his creative eye to any production that aligns with his passions, be it a groundbreaking documentary about the restoration of a WWII era Mosquito Bomber or capturing live music and sports. While his most noteworthy project centers on an organization called ROARR, the film is less about loud and live action, and more about heartwarming horses. The nonprofit runs programs for seniors and youth at risk with therapy horses through equine assisted learning. He first connected with ROARR in May 2020, when the senior’s day lunch at the ranch had to be canceled due to the pandemic. “[The ROARR team] loaded up a trailer with miniature horses and toured them around the ground of the seniors home and the seniors were able to visit the horses through their windows,” says Robinson, who captured the whole effort on film. “Working with ROARR has been a wonderful experience.”
From operating an Inspire 2 camera drone, to live-streaming a multi-camera event, Robinson is indeed schooled in high-tech production and effects. But when it comes to branding himself online, he likes to keep things clean, simple, and professional. “Let the work speak for itself” says Robinson who is based in Calgary, Alberta.
He’s come a long way since studying media production at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Manitoba. “I learned early on in my time there that I was very interested in documentary filmmaking,” he says. But he admits he was drawn toward film long before his college days. “I had always had an interest in tv and broadcast from a very young age. Ask anyone who knew me when I was growing up and they’d tell you I was destined to be in front of a camera. As I learned more about the process I really gravitated to working behind the camera and that’s where I still find myself today.”
Since then his work has taken him to locales across North America. Some of his films and commercials can be seen on CBC, Sportsnet, Super Channel, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The Cooking Channel and more. He says any creative can turn their love for the arts into a full profession. He advises other aspiring filmmakers to “Just go do it.”
“Filmmaking is art and the only way you will progress is by making art,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. It’s just storytelling.”
Here Robinson gives us a sneak peak into his career as a cinematographer, the importance of up-skilling, his most meaningful projects to date (including one acknowledged by President Biden), and how he uses his website, AlexRobinson.tv, as a hub for showcasing his best work.
Besides your ROARR project, can you tell us about a film or documentary that you are most passionate about and why?
The documentary project I’m most passionate about was one I was very invested in. I worked with director Rain Bear Stands Last to create a documentary, called Somebody’s Daughter. It shined a light on the missing and murdered Indigenous women epidemic. The film included stories from the families who are still missing loved ones, some telling their story on camera for the first time. It was a deeply emotional experience to listen to the tragedies that played out in the lives of these young women and girls and heartbreaking to hear of the lack of response from policing agencies at every level. The film had several screenings in the US and Canada and was endorsed by President Joe Biden. The film helped propel the issue to the forefront of some prominent US lawmakers to help create safeguards to ensure no family has to live through such a tragedy. There’s still a long way to go, but our film has helped bring the issue into the conversation.
What else do you specialize in and how has it helped diversify your services as a filmmaker?
Besides working as a director of photography, I am also specialized in drone cinematography. I’ve been flying drones since 2013 since the production house I was working at bought the original DJI Phantom drone. Over those 10 years, I have seen a massive shift in the capabilities and quality of drones for film and television production. Flying drones for film and television can be stressful but very rewarding. Film sets can be demanding places and they expect your best every time you step on set. Clear communication and setting expectations are key. Anyone can go out and buy a drone, but fewer people can deliver consistent results in a professional environment. I also specialize in multi-cam live streaming. It’s a great way to get me back to my broadcasting roots and I love the problem-solving aspect of it. There’s always workarounds and little issues here and there so you need to stay sharp.
How does AlexRobinson.tv help your career? Why is it important for cinematographers and other creatives to have an online presence?
AlexRobinson.tv helps my career by giving me a presence online and giving me a place to send prospective clients and directors to learn more about me, my background and to view past work. The days of a physical portfolio of tapes or DVD’s is long gone and AlexRobinson.tv is my online portfolio to showcase who I am and the type of work and product I can provide.
Why did you choose .tv for your domain?
When I was thinking about domains, I had no idea that .tv was an option. When I saw .tv as an option on GoDaddy, I thought, ‘Hey, that makes sense. That’s the industry I want to work in.’ It also happened to match up with my already existing Twitter handle @AlexRobinsonTV — so from a branding perspective, it was perfect.
Tell us about your website design and layout and how it speaks to your brand.
I’ve tried to keep my website design simple and clean and let the work speak for itself. Many creatives have next to no copy on their websites other than an about section, so I’ve tried to bring that into my own design.
What is your advice for others seeking to break into film and production?
Show up, be prepared, do your best. It’s important to practice, practice, practice, and stay current with your skills.