Adrian Buitenhuis
April Filmmaker of the Month
Known for directing a series of award winning feature-length biography films on subjects Heath Ledger, Patrick Swayze, Paul Walker and Burt Reynolds, Adrian’s love for engaging with people and conveying their personal stories has created an intimate body of work.
While studying Art History in Montreal, Adrian began working as a photographer and mixed media artist. While completing an MFA in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts at Simon Fraser University, he moved into writing, directing and producing films.
Adrian joined the Directors Guild of America in 2015.
He lives with his wife and two kids on an island outside Vancouver, BC
Find more information about Adrian Buitenhuis on his website
FILMMAKER INTERVIEW
Tell us your backstory. How and why did you get into filmmaking?
Drama class and theater was my jam in highschool and I did a directing class in my final year. In University, I studied Art History and Cultural Studies. One of my Art History classes was on Graffiti Art in the city and myself and a classmate made a documentary on artists working in Montreal. That was my first real documentary. I went on to do a MFA and make a short narrative film in the documentary tradition for my thesis project. During my MFA, I was doing a documentary photography project about ship builders in Northern Vietnam, when I met a journalist from Australia, Emma Masters. A couple years later, we ended up producing a documentary with Aboriginal Elders in Northern Australia that caught the attention of the producers of the Oprah Winfrey Show. We ended up helping produce a segment of Oprah’s show, which down the line got me into TV directing / field producing. My dad was a non-ficition writer as well, so I see what I do to be a continuation of that.
What are the specific qualities that, in your opinion, make a film great?
A distinct Point of View, tone, pacing and story above all else.
How do you know when your story’s finished, when to walk away?
In a documentary, it’s a combination of knowing the story going in, editing the work as you go and the amount of days budgeted to shoot. Of course, there’s a plan for the story, but story changes and opportunities come up through the making of the film that change the course. Ultimately, there’s usually a feeling or a moment in production where you feel you have it.
How many films have you completed? What is your favorite project you have worked on and why?
6 feature films and a dozen or so shorts and music videos. I liked making the I Am Patrick Swayze film because of the incredible interview cast and impact he had on those he met. I also loved the challenge of my last film on Anne Murray early on in the pandemic, because we had no in person interviews (all audio) and really leaned into making a film from archival materials.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Often from some of my peers who I began my career with Benjamin Loeb, Chayse Irvin, Norm Li, Edward Herrera. With streaming platforms giving more visibility to documentaries than ever before , there’s a new wave of people pushing the format of documentaries.
What is your favorite aspect of film production?
I like the initial writing and development, interviewing people and the final sound mix and color. Pretty much all aspects except chasing down cast and the very initial stages of the edit.
Why did you choose to submit to the Breckenridge Film Festival? What do you look for in a festival where you hope to show your film?
A friend suggested I submit to the fest because it’s a well run fest with lots of great submissions. I like smaller, well established festivals that have a lot of community involvement. There’s a lot of care that goes into putting on the Brek Film fest and I had a great experience while there.
You are a collaborator. Did you make any connections at the Breckenridge Film Festival that have led to collaborations with other filmmakers?
Yes, absolutely, made connections that I am sure will lead to projects in the future.
What are the next project or projects you are beginning work on?
Working on a verite film about an obsessive collector, another about a group of actors from the 80’s and one more I can’t reveal quite yet 🙂
