Joseph Spaid

Education

Equipment

My Equipment/Kit:

I can use:

About me

Joseph began making films as a child of about 10 in Southern California. There, along with family and neighbors, a series of “Spy Movies” were put into production. In-camera editing and extreme angles created fantastic – if primitive – action scenes of spy heroes jumping from impossible heights and landing with athletic artistry. Spaid now lives in New York City where he has been continuously active as an independent filmmaker for almost two decades. Whether directing music videos, acting as cinematographer on a short film, or producing a documentary, he has remained firmly committed to the art of independent film. His short, ‘Watch the Closing Doors’, won first prizes at two film festivals. The multiple award-winning “Kiran Over Mongolia” is his feature length directorial debut. In addition to winning one award to date, his short film, "Written by Gandhi" participated in the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner.

In addition to directing films, Spaid enjoys a successful career as a graphics and special effects artist. Projects have included work for National Geographic, CBS Sports (NFL SuperBowl XXXVIII), McCann-Erickson, Ford, ABC, Hallmark TV, Canadian Broadcast Corporation, Fox International, CNN, HBO, The Disney Channel, Lifetime Television, Court TV, Sci-Fi Channel, MSNBC, USA Television, Michael Moore, Comedy Central, and many more. demo reel available at: josephspaid.com

FILMOGRAPHY
2013 Writer "The Witch's Man" - Feature screenplay: Sexy supernatural thriller set in Iceland
2012 Consulting Producer "The Falconer: Sport of Kings" - Feature doc about international falconry.
2011 Writer, "Desert Water", Feature screenplay: Drama set on the US/Mexico border dealing with issues of health, immigration, water and redemptoin.
2009 Music Co-producer Anna's Halldórsdóttir album "Here".
2009 Associate Producer, "Burning Man" - Arun Crumbley & Susan Buice directed feature film (WIP).
2009 Co-writer "The Place" ("Plesid") - Half hour drama about abuse of juveniles in the Icelandic penal system.
2008 Director, "Written by Gandhi" - 1 min animated film about world peace.
2007 Producer, ‘Aloha New York’ – 22 min doc about surfing in New York City.
2005 Director ‘Kiran Over Mongolia’ –86min doc. Shot on location in Mongolia about nomads who hunt with eagles.
2001 Cinematographer, "Gobi Women Song" - Feature doc. Shot on location in Mongolia.
1998 Director, “Not that kind” – Music Video 3:37. Live action/glamour intensive music video.
1998 Director, “Great Hair” – Music Video 4:01. Live action/compositing intensive music video.
1989 Director/Cameraman, “Watch the Closing Doors” 14:10 – Special EFX intensive narrative film.

Referees:

Neil Gluckin
Chief Marketing Officer at Centerlight Health System
email: removed

"I had the opportunity to work with Joseph on a short video about climate change to be screened at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2009. The brief was complex and the timeline impossibly short. The result that Joseph played a key role in shaping was graceful, cogent and balanced -- exactly what was needed. In every meeting, Joseph projected a sense of calm, total dedication and confidence -- with a good sense of humor to boot. I would trust Joseph to handle my most challenging assignments, and would consider it a privilege to work with him again."

- Neil Gluckin

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Joyce King Thomas
Executive Creative Director (former), McCann-Erickson
email: removed

"Lots of people talk about making a difference but Joseph Spaid has actually done it. After a visit to India, he founded Knights of November to support an orphanage in the Himalayas for children of impoverished families who were cast aside because of their congenital defects. Then he put his whole heart and considerable intellect behind changing the lives for those children. He developed the organization’s image, found and fostered loyal donors, managed the website and social media, and mobilized volunteers. Joseph recently came to me for support of another big social enterprise idea. I was impressed by both the originality of the idea and its potential for global impact. Any organization looking to make positive things happen would be wise to tap Joseph."
- Joyce King Thomas

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Andrew Hoppin
Partner at DrupalSquad and New Amsterdam Ideas
email: removed
tel: removed

“Joseph is fearless, rigorous, and passionate about the causes he believes in. He strikes just the right blend of soft touch and firm hand in building teams and causing results, and interacting with him is a lot of fun to boot. A natural leader."
- Andrew Hoppin

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Paul de Laubier
Founder and CD, The Designists, a creative and production agency in NYC
email: removed
tel: removed

"Joseph, to put it plainly, is reliable, creative, always delivers on time and on topic. I trust him to bring life to any creative project, and in the process add incredible value by making work FUN and enticing. Throw in the impeccable craftsmanship of his work, add his great personality and the knowledge of a well-traveled, curious mind, and you'll start to understand why you want Joseph to be on your team."
- Paul de Laubier

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Jennifer Howd
Creative Producer/Writer

“I've had the great pleasure of working with Joseph on a variety of projects over the years and am not only proud to call him my colleague - I'm privileged to call him my friend. His compassion, enthusiasm, creativity and integrity shine through every project he touches, and I truly believe the world is a better place because he's in it. Joseph's a true gem, and I look forward to continuing to watch him shine!”
- Jennifer Howd

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Sas Carey
Director at Nomadicare

“I met Joseph in Mongolia. I immediately hired him because of his sense of humor and background as filmmaker. He then led me step-by-step through filming "Gobi Women's Song". As cinematographer, he not only set up shots, he helped in every aspect of the filming. Our team lived
in a ger (yurt) and Joseph kept us laughing even when the desert sand and outhouse smell blew into our ger. Back in the US, he prodded me to get the work edited and completed. He is a gem. I couldn't have done it without him.”
- Sas Carey

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Gina Santonas
Operations Manager at Silvercup Studios East

“Joseph has an amazing energy. He is very intuitive and that is extremely effective in his work. I am also involved with his charity Knights of Knovember and his leadership and creativity is inspiring. He never gives up even when faced with insurmountable challenges. Actually that makes him push harder. I am a better person for knowing and working with Joseph.”
- Gina Santonas
Additional information:
• Very well traveled (and extremely good at it).
• Comfortable behind or in front of the camera.
• Founded a charity that supports an orphanage in the
Himalayas.

License & Passport

Skills

Secondary Job Title	Director
Job Titles	Animator, Visual Effects (VFX) Artist, Special Effects (SFX) Artist, Post-Production Management / Support, Graphics Artist / Graphic Designer, Writer, Director, Producer, Teacher
Years in industry	6+ years