Mj R

Producer and Director at Nautilus Pictures LLC and Spoken Image LLC. Delivering award-winning documentaries, television series, and interactive campaigns. With extensive international production experience and proficiency in all phases of production and post-production.

I lead diverse teams and occasionally work solo on diverse subjects, including climate, science communications, natural history, advanced technologies, music, comedy, and social and cultural issues. Productions have taken me around the world many times, and I remain comfortable producing and shooting in studios, on top of mountains, on all sorts of boats, and underwater.

Executive Director, Lead Producer at Nautilus Pictures LLC (2022-11 – Present)

I am currently collaborating with Navajo and Puebloan storytellers as we create high-value documentaries, interactive campaigns, and fundraising assets. Completed projects include the award-winning documentary "Our Story-The Indigenous Led Fight to Protect Greater Chaco" (Prime, Kanopy, Tubi, and over 300 universities and schools). This film and our other media campaigns were used to raise several million dollars for NGO's in the space and, through multiple screenings for politicians in DC, are credited as having been instrumental in the passage of the 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Canyon NP, halting fracking leasing in the area.

We are also in the final phases of post-production on a feature-length documentary presenting the 6 sacred mountains of Diné Bikeyah, the traditional homelands of the Diné (Navajo) people, which features many of the most beautiful places on almost 30,000 square miles of land. I serve as lead producer, DOP, and lead all fundraising and our fiscal sponsorship relationships.

Producer, Editor, Cinematographer at Spoken Image LLC (2003-02 – Present)

• Managed relationships with agencies, brands, NGO's, and networks.
• Developed and managed production schedules, strategies, and budgets.
• Raised significant funds for NGO's across environmental, climate, and public health spaces
• Oversaw talent acquisition processes, selecting skilled personnel for diverse production roles.
• Led brainstorming sessions to generate innovative approaches to explain complex subjects.
• Oversaw post-production processes, including editing, music composition, color correction, graphics, and sound mixing, conforming to broadcast and web delivery standards.
• Planned video shoots in the studio and remotely managed production through all stages to completion.
• Extensive experience with RED, Sony, and Arri camera systems, multiple gimbal and motion control systems, underwater cinematography, and extensive lighting and sound skills.

Filmmaking Instructor at Various Institutions (2005-01 – Present)

At various times, I have been hired to teach workshops and to mentor teams to help them level up their filmmaking skills. Provided hands-on instruction in all phases of production with a particular focus on creativity.

• Oceanic Preservation Society: I was initially engaged to teach a short two week filmaking crash course in production for the team that went on to produce the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove. My role evolved into a years-long role as a producer and cinematographer for traveling around the world and helping to develop the story.
• Navajo Nation NGO's and high school students: I continue to mentor groups and students in documentary filmmaking techniques. A significant success includes the production of the feature documentary Our Story- The Indigenous Led Fight to Protect Greater Chaco (Prime, Kanopy), which went on to win film festival awards and continues to be used in over 200 universities around the world.
• Fort Lewis College: Filmmaking and editing instructor, 2002-2003

Freelance Producer, Cinematographer, and Editor at Clients, Networks, and Non Profits (2000-01 – Present)

My career in film and television began as an underwater cinematographer in the Caribbean, filming bottlenose dolphins and bull sharks daily. Since then, my work as a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, and editor has appeared in feature-length documentaries, television series, animations, music videos, live productions, and commercials. Partners and clients include The Discovery Channel, PBS, National Geographic, CSPAN, McGarryBowen NY, Sequence, Continuity, The Oceanic Preservation Society, Ambrose, Getty Images, Toyota Motor Sales, The Sierra Club, PEW Charitable Trusts, BING, ATT, and others.

My work has been screened at several hundred film festivals, has won various advertising awards, and has received over 100 national and international awards.

Producer and Creative Director at Toyota - Advanced Technologies Division (2009-02 – 2015-02)

• Led projects to promote hydrogen fuel cell adoption, including interactive applications, 3D modeling, animations, and an internationally produced campaign presenting the evolution of transportation technologies and adoption with shoots in Indonesia, Thailand, West Africa, Japan, and Morocco. We also produced videos to promote Toyota's efforts to clean up Diesel fuel operations in the Galapagos Islands.

Bachelor of Arts in Ethnomusicology - Self Directed – Fort Lewis College (2022-05)