The Woven Planet Series

Hello Everyone,

Since the Woven projects have received so much positive feedback over the last few weeks I've decided to raise money and turn the Woven films into a web series.  I've set up a place on Indiegogo.com where people can donate to the project and possibly help decide where the next Woven piece will be shot.

Check it out!



  

The Story of Woven Nuevo Leon

Northern Mexico’s state of Nuevo Leon is a treasure trove of natural wonders.  It’s a place that has seen very few changes in the passage of time.  It’s got a raw desert atmosphere that is completely infectious; it’s an ideal place to become inspired for a range of different ideas.  In the past I've had trouble in foreign countries breaking through with projects because of the language barrier but on this journey I had my Mexican girlfriend Karla with me who served as an interpreter.  This gave gave me a little more access into a world that few gringos ever get to see. We visited the 8,000 year old petroglyphs in Mina and chatted with local peasants who in their homes display bullet shells left over from battles fought by the General Pancho Villa.

Driving down there can be extremely sketchy because the narrow two lane roads are ruled by giant trucks.  I had to be extremely careful when stopping off to capture footage of the mountains.  Almost every pristine mountain shot that you see in the film was shot on the side of the road and had to be done so with caution.  Shooting in the giant “Grutas” or caves was also a challenge.  The cave entrance is located at the top of a mountain that can only be accessed by either a narrow hiking trail or a short gondola ride.  Karla and I rode the Gondola up to save time.  While inside the caves our guide got very upset with me because I was falling behind to capture footage.  Karla explained to him that he was going to have to move at my pace, so he left us behind but told us there would be another guide passing through later.  This was actually ideal because for about thirty minutes I was not rushed and had the Grutas all to myself.  

Upon exiting the caves with our new guide it had become sunset so I set up for a time lapse shot.  Karla was getting cold and the gondola operator was growing impatient, he threatened to leave us at the top of the mountain.  I had my headlamp with me so I gave Karla the keys to the car and told them to go ahead without me, I would hike down after sunset.  There was no way I was going to let this gorgeous shot get away.  So they left me up there for about fifteen minutes before Karla got nervous and talked the operator into going back to get me.  My tenacity had paid off because the shot came out beautiful.  I’m also very lucky to have such a wonderful girlfriend who made sure I didn’t have to hike back down in the dark.  That time lapse is the last shot in the film.

The desert of Nuevo Leon is peppered with old pueblos and villages where for generations poor people have lived in shacks and adobe houses.  In the pueblo of Icamole there live some of the most interesting people you could ever hope to meet.  Their desert worn faces have so much expression that viewing them in person can really pull at your heart strings.  At first I was a little timid to bring the camera out.  But after some friendly chit chat, purchasing some grilled corn and giving a deaf old man a fresh apple everyone we spoke to was then willing to let me take some portraiture shots.  I am incredibly grateful for their kindness because the portraits I captured of them are some of the most gripping shots of my career thus far. 


 

The trip was a wonderful adventure and the film has been very well received.  The experience taught me that films will transcend when they’re made with a lot of heart and soul.  I only wish I could have had more time to explore down there, there’s still so many more stories to tell.  Until next time.

Ryan Hunts

P.S. Check out this awesome write up that Jon Connor of canonfilmmakers.com did after viewing Woven Nuevo Leon.                   

“A remarkable filmmaker from Austin, Texas, Ryan Hunts, decided to do a visual sketch of Northern Mexico's ancient wonders. This piece was wonderfully paced and beautifully graded. I first heard of him when Chad Nickle of Wild Orchid Studios sung his praises. I love getting the inside scoop on amazing filmmakers before the general public. I have been privy to see some of his other work and I have to tell you all, this is definitely a rising star to watch this year. I am sure his contributions to independent filmmaking will be astounding. Stay tuned... you heard it here first.check him out out here RYAN HUNTS” - Jon Connor of canonfilmmakers.com

Woven Nuevo Leon- Shot with the 7D from Ryan Hunts on Vimeo.

A day on Cherry Bomb

Hey all,

I was invited by my friend Andrew Barrera to work for a day as second camera on the indie feature Cherry Bomb.  It was a great day of shooting; the most interesting moment came when we where trying to figure out how to splash diffused light from a 650 through the empty chambers of a .45 revolver for a stylized cut away.  The crew on this film is top notch; good vibes on set all day.      

Hello and Welcome!

Thank you for checking out my blog.  I'll be posting updates on everything I'm working on regularly.  At the moment I'm putting together a sweet rundown on my recent shoot in Mexico.  It was a fantastic time and I captured some epic images of landscapes, people, giant caves and 8,000 year old petroglyphs.  It should be ready for you to see soon!

In the mean time have a great day and keep checking back here.

Ryan