Settling Up a film by Reuben Hernandez, written by Brady Evan Walker
NYC
2019 A Decade in Review /
One of the single most defining moments of the past decade was when I quit my job, started my own company, and moved to NYC. It was one of the most difficult and best decisions I have ever made. That was nearly 10 years ago, and it has led me to numerous opportunities that I had only dreamed of such as landing in Antarctica, photographing great white sharks breach, and seeing the aurora borealis dance above me and light up the Arctic sky. That decision also led me to meeting my wife Lisa in my Brooklyn neighborhood and to becoming a father to Leuca last year, which has been a wonderful and beautiful journey.
It’s difficult to summarize an entire decade, so I will share some of my favorite experiences and work over the last ten years.
Antarctica © 2015 Reuben Hernandez
Landing in Antarctica was a really big deal for me. I had dreamed of visiting Antarctica ever since I was in fourth grade and Antarctica also marked my seventh and final continent. It is transcendent and truly like no place on earth. This is one of many images I photographed as photographer in residence onboard an expedition ship. Dreams do come true. That’s what I would tell my childhood self.
Great white shark breaching in South Africa © 2015 Reuben Hernandez
This photograph was taken in False Bay, South Africa and speaks for itself. This happened in about a split second so you can imagine how challenging of a photograph this was to capture. The is one of the images I am most proud of and I still can’t believe I got the shot. I was freaking out afterwards. Sharks are awesome creatures and I’ve always wanted to see a great white shark breach.
Mother and cub polar bears in Svalbard, Arctic Norway © 2014 Reuben Hernandez
In 2014 I had the opportunity to be a photographer in residence onboard an expedition ship in Svalbard, Arctic Norway. We spotted these polar bears from our ship from about 300 meters and our expedition leader decided that we would jump in zodiacs to get a closer look. The seawater was torrential and we were getting absolutely soaked by the waves smashing against the front of our zodiacs as we raced towards the polar bears. Luckily the bears remained and we got to observe them closer from our zodiacs. This was also a challenging photograph to capture with a long lens on a zodiac that was rocking up and down. I have a print of this photograph in my daughter Leuca’s room, and it definitely has a new meaning for me being a parent.
Rifle master Tom Smith searching for polar bears in Svalbard, Arctic Norway © 2014 Reuben Hernandez
The Milky Way rising above the Atacama Desert, Chile © 2015 Reuben Hernandez
On my way to Antarctica I spent some time in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile in hopes of photographing the Milky Way. It was quite an adventure to say the least. I spent a few weeks waiting for the rain and full moon to pass as I foolishly didn’t check the phases of the moon beforehand. The Atacama Desert is supposed to be one of the driest places on earth so I was surprised by the rain. I woke up each morning at about 3 am and rode my bike alone out into the desert. It was a bit unnerving and extremely desolate and dark. It was also humbling and peaceful to see so many stars and stand beneath billions of galaxies. This is a self portrait I captured underneath the Milky Way.
BBC Travel © 2018 Reuben Hernandez
Last year I was commissioned by BBC Travel to cover a story for their To the Ends of the Earth series. I had the opportunity to visit Supai, the only US town that receives its mail by mule train and is only accessible by hiking eight miles into the Grand Canyon or by helicopter. I hiked more than 20 miles off the grid carrying 40 - 50 lbs of photo and video gear, food, and camping supplies for this story. It was a challenging story and an adventure to say the least, and the Havasupai Falls are one of the most beautiful natural wonders I have ever seen. Check out the full story and interview with tribal elder Rex Tilusi here.
I directed Bono in the above Red Nose Day celebrity PSA. Spike Jonze showed up and thanked me for allowing him to help out. It was pretty wild meeting Bono and Spike, two creative forces I have looked up to.
Maddie, my narrative directorial debut, had its online premiere earlier this year on Film Shortage after screening at several film festivals and winning a few awards. You can watch the film above (TRT: 11 min). I love the collaborative process of making films and have had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented casts and crews. I’ve since directed two other narrative short films and joined the Filmshop collective, where we workshop works in progress, foster collaboration, and help bring each other’s projects to life.
I’m grateful to be in my 10th year of business, creating work that I believe is meaningful both personally and professionally. This year I’m proud to be certified as a NYC minority-owned business enterprise. 2020 and beyond will be a new and exciting chapter for Reuben Hernandez Studios. Thank you to all of my clients, friends, family, and collaborators that have supported and believed in me over the last decade. I wouldn’t be here without you.
My daughter Leuca is growing up so fast I can hardly believe it. Yesterday she turned 15 months old. She brings us so much love and joy and is an absolute beast. She’s been doing baby parkour and ran laps around the airplane last week. She keeps us on our toes and never ceases to amaze us. Leuca has given me a new purpose as a working dad.
Happy Holidays! Love, Lisa, Leuca, and Reuben
A year ago I wrote “Going forward I'll have to live a more structured life to prioritize my time between family, work, personal projects, and exercise/dance/self-care.” I think I did a pretty good job over the past year. I’ve come a long way and I know there’s always room for improvement. We had a family vacation planned earlier this year that I had to cut short for a job in LA. I know it was the right decision and I’m learning how to make sacrifices and that often times things just do not go as planned. I’m relearning how important family is. My dad hasn’t been doing very well and I’m happy that Leuca got a chance to meet him and see him a few times this year. It’s important for Leuca to know her family history and where she came from. My dad’s illness has brought my family closer together in unexpected ways. I want to continue to cherish each moment I spend with Leuca and my family and love them as much as I can.
It’s past 1 am and I actually have to film a job on NYE so I best be going. If you made it this far, thanks for following along. Wishing you love, peace, and Happy New Year. See you in 2020!
All My Best,
Reuben
Sold Out Settling Up screening /
Our Settling Up film screening sold out at the 10th annual Williamsburg Independent Film Festival! We had a blast having our film open the festival to a sold out crowd. Thanks Willfilm for screening our film and we look forward to coming back again.
Reuben Hernandez Studios Receives Minority-Owned Business Enterprise Certification /
Reuben Hernandez Studios has been certified as a minority-owned business enterprise by the NYC Department of Small Business Services. We will now be listed in the New York City Online Directory of Certified Businesses and look forward to this next chapter after being in business for nearly ten years.
Settling Up Screens at the Williamsburg Independent Film Festival /
Excited to screen Settling Up as the opening film at the 10th annual Williamsburg Film Festival at the Wythe Cinema (80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249) on Thursday 11/21 at 7 pm. This is one of my favorite film festivals and where it all began for Settling Up. Tickets: https://bpt.me/4429873 and full schedule.
We hope to see you there!
Directed by Reuben Hernandez
Written by Brady Evan Walker
Starring Jonathan Randell Silver, Jessica Frey, and Kristen Adele
Produced by Reuben Hernandez, Maryann Alspaugh, and Brady Evan Walker
Sound Mixer and Sound Design by Ash Knowlton / Silver Sound
Edited and colored by Patrice D. Bowman
Made in collaboration with the Filmshop collective
Director's Reel /
Reuben Hernandez | 2019 Director’s Reel
I’m excited to share my new director’s reel featuring some of my film work over the last five years. A huge shoutout to my cast, crews, supporters, and collaborators that have helped bring these projects to life. Thanks for watching.
Filmed on location in NYC, Antarctica, Arctic Norway, Chile, and Yellowknife
Filmshop Presents Famous Last Words /
Leuca is helping our sound designer Ash with the final sound mix for our latest narrative short film. I’m excited to share another film tomorrow night at the Filmshop 10 year anniversary short film showcase at Rough Trade NYC. We hope to see you there!
Filmshop, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is a non-profit film organization committed to developing new work through peer support and collaboration. Filmshop supports a community of about 250 filmmakers in NYC, New Orleans, and LA. Members meet weekly to workshop projects, offer constructive feedback, and incubate new ideas. Our fall season begins just after Labor Day. We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 season at www.thefilmshop.org/apply, and we will be holding an open house in July where you can learn more about our organization and meet current members.
Lighthouse International Film Festival /
Lighthouse International Film Festival was an incredible experience and is hands down one of my favorite film festivals. I had the opportunity to meet and learn from Guy Nattiv, Oscar winning director of Skin, and numerous other talented filmmakers and industry people. Some friends and fellow Filmshop members screened at LIFF and it was fun seeing so many familiar faces. My family also enjoyed attending the festival and my 8 month old daughter ate lobster for the first time, thanks to Charlotte and the rest of the crew at the hospitality house. I highly recommend the festival and will definitely be coming back. Thanks to the entire team at Lighthouse Intl FF for such a memorable and wonderful experience!
Q&A with Guy Nattiv, writer/director of the opening feature film, Skin, and some cast members
I met Guy Nattiv and attended his filmmaking masterclass. Guy won the Oscar this year for best live action short film for his short, Skin.
My 8 month old daughter Leuca enjoying the view and lobster at the filmmaker hospitality house
Q&A following the screening of my short film, Settling Up. Photo by Clayton Dean Smith
Lisa and I in front of the Long Beach Island Historical Museum
Congrats to all of my fellow Filmshop members that screened at LIFF!
Settling Up Film Premiere Sunday June 9th /
My narrative short film Settling Up will premiere Sunday, June 9th, at 1:30 pm at Long Beach Island Historical Museum (129 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008, USA) in competition at Lighthouse International Film Festival, one of MovieMaker’s “Coolest 25 Film Festivals in the World”. Settling Up will also screen alongside Filmshop short films If the Shoe Fits by Cinder Chou and Self(Ish) by Dani Tennenbaum. Oscar winner Guy Nattiv will open the festival with his narrative feature film, Skin, and Sundance documentary American Factory will close the festival.
Check out the full program here and schedule here. We are so excited to screen at LIFF and hope to see you there!
Favorite Patient Film Wrapped /
We just wrapped the latest narrative short film I directed starring Barbara Miluski and Isabelle Pierre. We were fortunate to have Jackson Eagan as the director of photography, and this was very much a Filmshop collaboration. Hats off to our talented and hard working cast and crew. Below are some behind the scenes photos by Monica Kapoor and we look forward to sharing our film soon. Stay tuned…
Settling Up Film Festival Premiere at Lighthouse International Film Festival /
I’m excited to announce my latest short film, Settling Up, will have its film festival premiere at Lighthouse International Film Festival, one of MovieMaker’s “Coolest 25 Film Festivals in the World.” The festival will take place June 6-9 on Long Beach Island and stay tuned for screening info. Thanks to our cast and crew for all of your hard work and we hope to see you there!
Directed by Reuben Hernandez
Written by Brady Evan Walker
Produced by Reuben Hernandez, Maryann Alspaugh, and Brady Evan Walker
Production Sound Mixer and Sound Design by Ash Knowlton / Silver Sound
Edited and colored by Patrice D. Bowman
Made in collaboration with the Filmshop collective
WAVE. PARTICLE. DUPLEX. BY STUDIO SWINE /
I was a DP for these short videos directed by Adam Sjöberg showcasing the making of WAVE. PARTICLE. DUPLEX. by Studio SWINE at A/D/O by MINI. It was challenging lighting the red and yellow rooms, while maintaining the integrity of the exhibit.
”From August 2018 through January 2019, acclaimed designers Alexander Groves + Azusa Murakami -- aka Studio SWINE -- participated in a design residency at A/D/O by MINI. This film by director, Adam Sjöberg, documents their research and exploration that culminated in a site-specific exhibition of their works entitled Wave. Particle. Duplex. at A/D/O in Brooklyn, NY.”
Read more about the making of WAVE. PARTICLE. DUPLEX. here and here.
Directed by Adam Sjöberg
Cinematography by Adam Sjöberg and Reuben Hernandez
Gaffer John Hudak
G&E Swing Milton De La Cruz
Produced by Loose Luggage Media
Fatherhood /
MoMA PS1
New Studio Cart /
Who needs a studio cart when you have a baby stroller
Maddie Online Premiere /
I’m excited to announce my short film Maddie premieres online today on Film Shortage! Huge thanks to our cast and crew that worked so hard to bring this project to life, and to all of you that supported our film. Please consider sharing, leaving a comment, and/or liking on Vimeo. After watching the film, you can read my director’s statement to learn more about the inspiration and backstory. I recommend watching the film with good sound if possible.
There once was a time when I thought making this film would be impossible. I learned so much through the process and that ultimately anything is possible with the right team, hard work, and dedication. To my talented cast and crew, it was an honor working with you and making this film together.
Thanks for watching.
All My Best,
Reuben
Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in /
The view of North Williamsburg from the 30th floor
NYC Summer 2018 /
NYC Summer 2018
Filmshop Presents Unfinished Business /
This past spring season I was accepted as a member of the Filmshop collective, a supportive community of filmmakers that regularly collaborate, workshop, and provide constructive feedback on works in progress on a weekly basis. Filmshop members actively support each other to help bring each other’s projects to life. Filmmaking can sometimes feel isolating, so joining a likeminded community of creatives has been one of the best things for my professional growth. It has forced me to do more and work on passion projects more regularly. Each week we share a creative goal and try to hold each other accountable on a consistent basis. This has been one of my most productive seasons as a filmmaker, and being part of the Filmshop community is one of the best ways to get a film completed. There are a tremendous amount of resources available through Filmshop.
This upcoming Saturday, July 21st at 7 pm, is Filmshop's yearly showcase of short films at Rough Trade NYC in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The latest film that I directed will screen this Saturday along with other Filmshop films on the big screen. Our film was written by Brady Evan Walker, and edited and colored by Patrice D. Bowman, so it is truly a collaborative Filmshop effort. Our lead, Jonathan Randell Silver, played the lead in a Sundance short film this year and it was a joy to work with him along with the rest of our cast and crew. Some behind the scenes photos are below. We look forward to sharing our new film with you on the big screen! Tickets can be purchased in advance here, and use code "Filmshop" for 20% off.
If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Filmshop member, we are hosting an open house for prospective members tonight from 7 - 9 pm (Monday 7/16) at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP (30 John Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201) in Dumbo. Applications for the 2018 fall season are due next Monday, 7/23 and can be found here.
In other news, I am also in the middle of developing an exciting and immersive virtual reality project that I have workshopped at Filmshop. My team and I are currently applying for grants and will hopefully have some news to share soon. More on that later...
BTS photo by Nikolai Basarich
BTS photo by Nikolai Basarich
BTS photo by Lars Fuchs
BTS photo by Lars Fuchs
2018 NBC Upfront /
It's been a bit hectic lately with various projects in the pipeline (more about that in the next post) and I actually just flew back from Aspen tonight. Above is a video my team and I filmed, edited, and produced of the 2018 NBC Upfront, and a funny video of me accidentally photobombing the red carpet (video up top). It's a blast interacting with the NBC talent on the red carpet. Executive produced by Jeff Smith and HudsonGray.
NYC Seascape /
Today was nearly 100 degrees in NYC so we hit the beach. Here's a foggy seascape from our ferry ride over to Rockaway beach. It got quite lively today during the Colombia and England round of 16 World Cup match.