01/INTRO
DIRECTOR & CINEMATOGRAPHER
Commercial · Branded · Documentary
I'm a director and cinematographer drawn to interesting people, human truths, and the worlds they inhabit. Whether I'm telling a deeply personal story or creating something playful and visually driven, I'm interested in making films that connect emotionally and leave a lasting impression.
Stories that touch the mind+heart.
01/ FUN IN THE SUN
Fashion/lifestyle film
I wanted Puerto Rico to feel like more than a backdrop. Using the sunlight, beaches, palm trees, and breeze, I built a playful, sun-soaked world around the talent and her interactions with the camera. Rather than focusing entirely on the clothing, the idea was to make the experience itself feel desirable.
02/FILMS
Selected Work
02/ SAM - ADAPTIVE MTB
After a mountain biking accident left Sam paralyzed, he found a way back to the sport through adaptive riding. I wanted to capture the emotion of that journey without losing the thrill of watching him ride. The film begins with carefully staged, cinematic sequences before transitioning into real riding footage, carried by Sam's own story.
Extreme sports/doc film
03/ DANIEL - GLOBE OF DEATH SPEC
I was fascinated by the danger and spectacle of the Globe of Death and the traveling circus surrounding it. To bring the audience closer to that world, I filmed Daniel during rehearsals for intimate, close-up footage, then intercut those moments with the energy of his live performance. Working with limited access meant finding creative ways to capture the action without disrupting the show.
Extreme sports/doc film
03/CREATIVE
Creative Approach
CREATIVE FIT
My work is suited to creative briefs such as:
Character-driven commercials and branded
films Documentary and human-centered storytelling
Fashion, lifestyle, and visually expressive campaigns
Sports, action, and movement
Unusual characters, environments, and experiences
Narrative-driven projects
When I approach a project, I start by understanding the idea, who it's speaking to, and what I want the audience to feel. From there, I develop the visual approach through research, film references, storyboards, shot lists, and decisions about lighting, composition, lenses, and camera movement.
I enjoy finding what makes an image or scene resonate and using those discoveries to strengthen the story or creative concept.
Collaboration is a big part of that process. Whether I'm developing an idea from the ground up or working from an established creative direction, I enjoy exchanging ideas, building on other people's perspectives, and finding solutions that support the larger vision. I also believe creative constraints can lead to some of the most interesting decisions.
DIRECTOR. CINEMATOGRAPHER. BOTH.
Available as Director, Cinematographer, or Director/DP.
I can collaborate with a production or agency creative team, direct alongside a dedicated DP, handle cinematography for another director, or take on both roles when the project calls for it.
04/Production
Before focusing on directing and cinematography, I spent several years working on commercial productions in Los Angeles as a key grip and gaffer, including projects for Cadillac and Perdue Farms.
I led crews, collaborated closely with cinematographers and lighting teams, and helped plan equipment, rigging, and complex camera and lighting setups.
That experience shaped how I approach filmmaking today, with an understanding of the time, budgets, preparation, and collaboration required to bring ambitious ideas to life.
Production Experience
Productions where I was part of the lighting team:
Have a project or upcoming brief where my work might be a fit? I'd love to hear about it..
I also work in editing and color grading and am available for select post-production projects.
05/Contact
Get in Touch
Based in New York. Available for projects across the United States, and internationally.
email: christian.medinafilm@gmail.com