Recloaking Papatūānuku - “Think Like a Forest” | Pure Advantage
Winter 2024/2025
Role: Cinematographer, Drone Operator, Director - Canterbury

Recloaking Papatūānuku is Pure Advantage’s initiative to reforest and restore 2.1 million hectares of indigenous forests in Aotearoa New Zealand over the next 10 years. Pure Advantage created the “Think Like a Forest” film series to increase education and public action in support of this mission, as we travel around the North and South Islands with Sam the Trap Man to talk with local experts about the importance of ecosystem resilience in protecting against climate change.

I was brought on to help concept and shoot for the project. I was the primary cinematographer and drone operator for the Canterbury region, and served as director in the initial months of pre-production and production before I returned to the United States. The project consists of a main 35-minute film, as well as a series of bonus episodes and “Extras with Experts” vignettes that dive deeper into Sam’s conversations with scientists, conservationists and community activists.

The main film is now touring events and conferences around Aotearoa, and included in Air New Zealand’s in-flight film offerings. Learn more at pureadvantage.org/recloaking-papatuanuku/ and view the full film series on their Youtube.