RECOLOGY: A Cautionary Tale

WWhen I set out to shoot the Recology Safety Program, I never expected a corporate gig to challenge me like this as a director. My biggest priority going in was creating a completely safe, intimate space, not just for Arnoldo to recount his accident, but to feel comfortable showing us his physical scars on camera. I spent time preparing the crew beforehand, making sure the room felt quiet and protected so we could build real trust before the interview even started. You usually go into these real-people testimonials expecting a ton of starts and stops, fully prepared to piece the narrative together in editing. But the kicker was Arnoldo's delivery. It was so raw, flawless, and immediate that my instincts told me to stop right there. Pushing for more would have completely killed the vulnerability in the room, so we walked away with the entire story in just one take.