2022 Instagram Travel Features @editingluke

As we roll into the yearly recaps for 2022, I was feeling like I hadn't done that much outside of work on a documentary all year - which granted, has been a lot. But when I dug up all of the "official reshares" on my travel content this year it was ... well, awesome lol ... New York, Berlin, Miami, Brussels, Dallas, Winnipeg, Seattle, Calgary, Paris, Los Angeles, Montreal, Victoria, Honolulu, Osaka, Edinburgh, Ottawa, and on and on.

I did a lot of experimenting in 2022 to get my work seen by travel partners while being very strategic about not just building a profile to be mined for content. It's a complicated trade-off, but it seems to be working. The variety of locations in these features is a solid achievement given how competitive this is - and for that, let me say thank you and express how grateful I am to have found eyes for what I share here and on the Editing Luke site. 

Now the real question - where to next? 

Experimenting With A.I. Generated Images on Lensa

Have you seen these A.I. generated images popping up on your feed this week too?

I took the bait and played around on Lensa A.I. this week. For those unfamiliar, it's a paid app where you upload 10-20 selfies and then its A.I. generates a series of images using your likeness. These aren't filters on existing images, they are all part of a batch that is generated randomly with A.I. based only on images of your face.

It's not without glitches and errors, but the technology is pretty incredible - not least of which, because sometimes it turned me into an action-hero Ken doll. While the topic of A.I. imagery and artwork hits close to home in terms of content creation, I can't help but feel this is transformative tech we're going to have to learn about and monitor.

What are your thoughts? Have you tried it? Here are some of my results.

Documentary Sneak Peek, Trailer Release Date

Thank you to the Medicine Hat News and Kendall King for this feature on my latest documentary "Your Cinema Needs You" in today's newspaper. 

Following the incredible response online last week I can finally share that a trailer for the film will be released on December 21 - marking the 111th anniversary of when the Monarch Theatre first opened her doors to the public back in 1911. More updates to come soon.

One Year Into Production on the Documentary

One year ago I announced that my new documentary about the Monarch Theatre had been greenlit - a largely unknown (outside of my hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta) historic cinema with a really unique backstory.

No surprises, it's come to define a lot of my 2022.

Production updates, exploration, title reveals, behind the scenes, media releases, etc. It's been fun to share parts of this process (if for no other reason) because uncovering the history of a century old cinema, its origins and evolution, etc. lead me down a few rabbit holes that I needed help climbing out of (so to speak).

Through months of research, interviews, filming, more research, delays, and seemingly endless editing I'm able to finally share that the project is ... still not done. But, we're close-ish ... at least closer. All the puzzle pieces are built and the outside edges are done.

So while a 2023 release is imminent, I'm feeling more and more excited about what's coming up in these final months.

Which begs the question, would anyone like to see an actual sneak peek of the documentary if I decided to release a preview early? Because the trailer is ready and I'm hyped lol.

*REPOSTED: From the Editing Luke facebook page.

Midnight Madness in Downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta

Last night was Midnight Madness around downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta and the perfect excuse to tour, shop, and graze our way through local hotspots with a reminder of the beer, cookies, bagels, coffee (and more) on offer!

The sidewalks were buzzing, music was playing, and even the Monarch Theatre (the subject of my now year-long documentary) was temporarily back and lit up for the night with a few screenings running. But, the deal of the night had to be the vintage projector and the stack of kitschy vinyl I snagged from one of the downtown thrift shops for a whopping $9.75. 

I already cleaned her up she looks (and works) like brand new!

Congrats to all the vendors, organizers, and businesses who pulled this off - a great evening all around, and a really fun way to support lots of great local shops!

Additional shout out to the businesses in these pics - Local Medicine Hat, King Bagel, the Mezz, Madhatter Coffee Roastery, and Redcliff Bakery.

The Deep Dark Art Installation in Police Point Park

The Deep Dark is an art installation in Medicine Hat, Alberta (hosted by the Esplanade) that will run through October 2022 within Police Point Park from 7 to 9pm each night. Show your support for unique installations like this by checking this artwork out while you can this month.

 

Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral in London, United Kingdom

With a series of travel shoots across Europe organized and scheduled months in advance, I can't say that I expected our arrival in London, England to coincidentally line up with the passing and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. From the memorials and crowds to the media coverage and profound focus that such a singular event manifested, our visit to London unexpectedly provided a front row seat to a defining moment in British history.  

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch in British history and celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 marking 70 years of service. Her funeral was held at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, 2022. She was 96 years old.

 

Title Reveal: Your Cinema Needs You

Title reveal / teaser poster: I'm happy to finally share that my upcoming feature length documentary on the Monarch Theatre is called Your Cinema Needs You.

Spanning the 110+ year history of a single screen cinema, Your Cinema Needs You is an exploration of "what might just be" the oldest surviving movie theatre in all of Canada.

From its origins to its reinventions to the numerous other cinemas it outlasted along the way, Your Cinema Needs You takes place against the backdrop of the Monarch's uncertain future and looks at why the cinema experience, in general, is still worth saving. 

Release date TBD. Late 2022.

Finlay Bridge: Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon

From June 2 to 7, 2022 landmarks throughout the United Kingdom and commonwealth countries were lit purple to become beacons in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. In Medicine Hat, Alberta the historic Finlay Bridge was specially lit to mark the occasion.  

 

Documentary Production Continues

Production on the Monarch documentary has been ongoing this month. 

This week I've been following up on rumors about several artifacts / stories surrounding the Monarch Theatre. I literally examined screw placements on vintage chairs over the weekend lol. I crawled on my hands and knees through a century of basement cobwebs in search of another secret hatch. And, perhaps best of all, yesterday I successfully acquired an untapped collection of images featuring the former neon marquees lit up two decades ago.

Piece by piece we're pulling this thing together. Post-production is on the horizon. Now, how cool would it be if we could invite everyone back and premiere this in the old Monarch?

Monarch Theatre Documentary in Production

Currently in its second month of principal photography, my latest documentary featuring the Monarch Theatre in Medicine Hat, Alberta has provided some really memorable experiences so far. With hours of interviews shot and a deep dive into every space, cubby, and rafter of this old theatre, I'm already certain that I've uncovered a few untold gems in the story of this cinema that have never been formally documented or contextualized before.

In addition to this being a story about one of the oldest surviving cinemas in all of Canada, what's been particularly interesting about the Monarch is how little material actually exists about it. Photographs, artifacts, records, etc. are few and far between so connecting the dots to go beyond the obvious has been a really involved, but fascinating undertaking.

While I'm saving a lot of the surprises for the finished documentary, I wanted to share a few of the production highlights up to this point:

• Interviews are still ongoing, but a few early highlights have come from acquiring stories from both a 101 year old with a unique connection to the theatre and a 94 year old who used to work at the Monarch as a teenager.
• In addition to the obvious task of documenting the Monarch, the cinematic side of the production has involved playing with various lighting rigs, gimbals, cameras, props, and even painting with projections throughout the cinema. 
• As a result I'm certain I've now filmed and photographed more details inside the Monarch Theatre than anyone else in its 110+ year history.
• I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge how helpful the social media response has been, in addition to features in the local news, Toronto Star, etc. in helping to connect me with a wide array of people with memories about cinemas in this area.
• Numerous highlights have also come from uncovering clues through old paperwork, basement finds, and mapping out the history of the theatre. What's been so thrilling about this is that I know just the exploratory aspect of this documentary will be compelling to a lot of people who have likely never even heard of this place.
• Speaking to former employees has made me wish I'd have worked at a movie theatre as a teenager too lol.
• And finally, one of the absolute coolest things about shooting this documentary has been the unfettered access I've been given to the Monarch. While it was always going to feature this space, the ability to arrange and film every interview within the cinema, while also coordinating multiple ancillary shoots, has been practically ideal. 

There will be lots more to share in the weeks ahead, particularly as the project transitions into post-production in the spring. Follow the Editing Luke instagram for more regular updates and stay tuned for details about the release of this documentary later in the year. 

If you have any information or memories to share about the Monarch Theatre (or any of the former cinemas in the Medicine Hat area) please contact me via my business site here.

Meet Alice: Monarch Documentary

With interviews for the Monarch Theatre documentary kicking off this month, I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to one of the interviewees - Alice. 

Alice will be 95 years old this year. Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking with her about her time working at the Empress and Monarch theatres as a teenager in the early 1940s. From the uniform she wore to first seeing Gone With the Wind, moments like this - capturing memories and untold first hand experiences - are what make documentary filmmaking such a thrill.

Still razor sharp, her memories tap into a time when very little was written about these cinemas. This is what's been so exciting. The process unlocks doors that haven't been opened in decades.

Much more to come about this latest film project.

Monarch Documentary Story in Toronto Star

The Medicine Hat News story about my new Monarch Theatre documentary was picked up in the Toronto Star today with subsequent features in their partner publications. It's exciting to see this latest project garnering early attention. Read here. 

 

Front Page: Monarch Theatre Documentary

My thanks to the Medicine Hat News for featuring my latest documentary (currently in production) on the front page of the newspaper this morning. Read here.

What's exciting about getting greenlit to produce a project like this one (with hometown roots) is that you're able to amplify a story for a wide audience that has likely never even heard of this place. The result is something that feels new and untapped, while at the same time inspiring support from those "in the know" who are rooting to see it succeed.

I'm really grateful to everyone who has been reaching out to share so far - this genuinely wouldn't be possible to pull together otherwise. Thank you! 

Please don't hesitate to get in touch here.

 

About That Documentary I Mentioned ...

As my final announcement of 2021 I shared that my latest documentary proposal had been greenlit with plans to move into production in early 2022. With things continuing to progress I wanted to share a few more updates about what the project is actually about.

Inspired by my love of vintage films and the cinematic experience - specifically, going to the movie theatre - this new documentary is all about cinemas. Highlighting the evolution of the theatre going experience and showcased through the rise and fall of some largely forgotten movie houses, this new documentary tells the story of how the oldest purpose-built cinema in all of Canada ended up (in of all places) my hometown - Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Locals are sure to recognize names like the Monarch, Towne, and Gemini, but what makes this story unique is how much hasn't been widely told - particularly regarding the 110+ year history of a single screen cinema on main street that is actually older than every major Hollywood studio. Perhaps most amazing, it's still here!

There's a lot to unpack, but I'm really excited to bring this story to life in this new feature documentary in the months ahead.

Here's where I could use some help ... 

Did you, a family member, or friend ever work at a movie theatre in the Medicine Hat area? 

I'd love to connect with anyone who has stories to share about what your time was like at the Monarch, Towne, drive-ins, etc. I'm deep in research these days and have already coordinated with the Friends of the Monarch, local archives, and City - what's missing is you!  

If you have any pictures or souvenirs from these venues from over the years it would also be a massive help as (not surprisingly) a lot of these places were not documented. Thank you in advance.

Lots more to come as this ramps up! 🎥😉 Please get in touch if you have anything to share that you think may be of interest. Cheers!