R. Stephenson Price
Writer / Director / Producer
My name is Ryan Stephenson Price - I’m a Timmins-born, Toronto-based filmmaker with a focus in high-concept narrative and conceptual music performance film. Ultimately, I specialize in creating multimedia content across the print, radio, film/video, and digital spaces. I have an honours degree in journalism from Carleton University where I minored in analytical film studies and contemporary music history, while specializing in science reporting, broadcast television, and documentary filmmaking. For two separate three-year stints, I served as the Art Director and Production Manager of commuter newspaper t.o.night (2009-2012), and senior front-end developer for Brunico Communications [Playback, Strategy, Realscreen, Kidscreen, et al.] (2013-2016), alongside 5 years co-hosting/producing an independent multimedia music video/radio/concert series called The Indie Machine (2010-2014). Above all else I'm passionate about great music, science fact, science fiction, weird films, user interfaces, high fashion, food things, nerd things, high-concept narrative and branding strategies, and humanity's place in the universe.
The following is a selection of my major directorial projects, split across four separate categories: Narrative, Music Videos, Music Performance, and Documentary.
My last short film release, Misinformed — about a police detective who meets up with her informant after a bad raid on an arms dealer — premiered at the Toronto Short Film Festival in March 2017 and was a finalist in the CTV Best in Shorts competition at Cinéfest Sudbury in September 2017. The film serves as the first installment in what I call "Phase III" of my professional development as a director. My two previous web series efforts: comedy series Gratuitous Behaviour — about two disgruntled bartenders who start a podcast to complain about their terrible customers — and crime drama Unbury The Biscuit — about a washed-up NHL prospect who is strong-armed into running drugs for an arena-based crime ring — cap off my narrative-development "Phase II" in 2016, following the hour-long experimental film 11:11.
My next short: sci-fi thriller Tempor Tempor — about a woman who travels back in time to torture a man for information about a crime he has yet to commit — is currently in post-production.
Tempor Tempor (2019 [Filmed 2017])
Writer / Director / Co-Producer
Sci-Fi, Thriller - 10m
LOGLINE: A woman travels back in time to torture a man for information about a crime he has yet to commit.
SYNOPSIS: David Generis’s wife disappeared three months ago without a trace. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he’s just woken up in an uncomfortably clean condo that’s not his own – and his host has an assortment of “toys” that she seems all too eager to play with.
STARRING: Jessica Kennedy, Altair Vincent
KEY CREATIVES: Liz May (Producer), Kevin Hall (Director of Photography), Roy Lee (Visual FX), Simon Poole (Composer)
STATUS: Nearing picture-lock; score nearly complete. Currently prepping VFX, Colour, Audio for Spring 2019 premiere. I've included a preliminary edit w/score below.
ACCOLADES: Frights! Camera! Action! Screenplay Competition 2018 (Runner-up: Best Villain)
Misinformed (2017 [Filmed 2016])
Writer / Director / Producer / Editor
Crime, Drama - 6m
LOGLINE: A cop meets up with her informant late at night after a raid on an arms dealer’s warehouse goes awry.
SYNOPSIS: After a raid on a supposed arms dealer warehouse turns up nothing but embarrassment, rookie detective Lauren receives a frantic note from her childhood friend-turned-informant Mark that suggests something much larger might be in the works.
STARRING: Victoria Urquhart, Randy Singh, Brianna Love, Robb Johannes
KEY CREATIVES: Kevin Hall (Director of Photography), Simon Poole (Composer)
STATUS: Currently submitting to festivals.
ACCOLADES: Toronto Short Film Festival 2017 (Official Selection / Premiere), Cinéfest Sudbury CTV Best in Shorts (Finalist), Canada Shorts Film Festival 2018 (Official Selection, Santiago Independent Film Awards 2019 (Official Selection), Dumbo Film Festival 2019 (Official Selection), CineX Independent Film Festival 2019 (Official Selection)
Gratuitous Behaviour (2016 [Filmed 2015])
Director / Co-Producer / Editor
Comedy, Web Series ~5x9m
LOGLINE: Two disgruntled bartender/server best friends start a late-night podcast to complain about all of their terrible customers.
SYNOPSIS: Join hosts Wes and Avery for the ongoing trials and tribulations of the Gratuitous Behavior podcast: the only podcast dedicated to servers, hosts, bartenders, busboys, dishwashers, and everyone indentured to the service industry.
STARRING: Dony Lugo, Ian Lynch, Malcolm Taylor, JD Smith, Matt Olver, Ucal Shillingford
KEY CREATIVES: Liz May (Producer), Dana Robert Taylor (Writer/Creator/Co-Producer), Patrick Hodgson (Director of Photography), Daniel Skeete (Composer), Mercedes Coyle (Production Designer)
STATUS: YouTube Digital Series; Currently submitting to festivals
ACCOLADES: Dances With Films 20 (Official Selection / Premiere), Maverick Awards 2017 (Nominee: Best Actress, Best Writing, Best Music), Canada Independent Film Festival 2018 (Official Selection)
LINK / SCENE: My favourite scene is the cold open from Episode 1; though Episodes 3&4 are our usual screener picks for their direct connective tissue of Wes' relationship with his boyfriend falling apart (ep3) in time for Valentine's Day (ep4).
11:11 (2015 [Filmed 2014])
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Experimental, Sci-Fi, Drama, Noir, Music - 1h
LOGLINE: The abrupt end of an illicit love affair leads 20-something Trevor on a downward spiral - of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll - while other-worldly forces beyond his control begin to intervene.
SYNOPSIS: A young man's marriage falls apart, leading him into a multi-year long stupor of loneliness, drug use, and debauchery to try and cope; all while he gradually falls under the influence of the music of Toronto rock band Paint (or some metaphysical manifestation of their creative id) and learns to see the good in himself — and other people — again.
STARRING: Zac Ché, Victoria Urquhart, Jessica Speziale, Emily Bones, Greg LeGros, Suzanne Debra Miller, Maggie Doucet, Pona Tran, Robb Johannes, Jordan Shepherdson, Carolina Pinzon, Keiko Gutierrez, Devin Jannetta
KEY CREATIVES: Robb Johannes (Writer/Co-Producer/Composer/Songwriter/Band Frontman), Jordan Shepherdson (Guitarist/Vocalist), Keiko Gutierrez (Bassist), Devin Jannetta (Drummer)
STATUS: Independent Premiere @ The Royal Cinema, Physical DVD Release + digital release via Vimeo streaming service VHX.
LINK / SCENE: My favourite scenes are the Kubrick/Lynch-esque hallucinogenic drug overdose (15:37—20:20) and Trevor's struggle and subsequent commitment to throw away the last pieces of his failed relationship in "Bonfire of Vanities" (27:56—34:50)
Unbury The Biscuit (2016 [Filmed 2013])
Director / Co-Producer / Composer
Crime, Drama, Web Series ~5x6m
LOGLINE: When a hockey instructor is strong-armed into running drugs for a dangerous rink-based crime ring, things get a little hairy.
SYNOPSIS: Washed up NHL prospect Nick is strong-armed into running cocaine for a drug ring to replace his prison-bound brother; his first deal goes awry when the drug money in his bag is mysteriously replaced with a dead dog.
STARRING: Jack Murray, Jordan Alexander, Carl Bauer, Mike Tyrell, Shawn Ahmed, Oren Williamson
KEY CREATIVES: Jack Murray (Co-Producer/Writer), Zai Toussaint (Producer), Sandra Escandalo Alcocer (Producer), Kevin Hall (Director of Photography), David Z. Lam (Cinematography), Michael A. Morgan (Editor)
STATUS: YouTube Digital Series; no festival run due to lack of budget / timeliness of release after lengthy post-production (we initially filmed the series in 2013 as a 30m short film before the rise of web series as a common distribution model).
LINK / SCENE: Episode 4 is my favourite episode, as we wander for most of it almost sans-dialogue with protagonist Nick as he contemplates/deals with his current situation. However, Episode 2 is likely the one that stands best on its own without the context of having to watch the other episodes.
Beser
"Down" (2020)
Writer / Director / Cinematographer / Producer
Music Video, Sci-Fi / Drama - 3m45s
SYNOPSIS: A man grieving the death of his lover is visited by a mysterious entity that draws him out from the depths of his depression.
STARRING: Sergio Guerra, Gledis Naska, Mauricio Jiménez
KEY CREATIVES: Rita Ushakova (Editor/Colourist), Mauricio Jiménez (Singer/Songwriter)
STATUS: Single/Video co-release on Spotify/YouTube January 31th, 2020
Running Red Lights
"Calls of Prudence" (2019)
Director / Producer
Music Video, Drama - 4m22s
SYNOPSIS: Running Red Lights' frontwoman Scarlett Flynn returns to her childhood home to violently part ways with the last vestiges of her youth and innocence.
STARRING: Scarlett Flynn
KEY CREATIVES: Kevin Hall (Director of Photography), Rita Ushakova (Editor/Colourist), Elizabeth Mayer (Art Director), Scarlett Flynn (Composer, Vocalist, Protagonist), Kevin Howley (Drummer, Vocalist, Engineer), Dave Puzak (Guitarist, Mixer), Jeff Carter (Bassist)
STATUS: Live Concert Single/Video release show January 24, 2019; currently available for streaming on YouTube.
Ryan Langdon
"Leave Me Right" (2018)
Director / Cinematographer / Editor
Music Video, Drama/Performance - 4min
SYNOPSIS: Singer/songwriter Ryan Langdon croons with a song about lost love and an ode to more amicable breakups.
STARRING: Kimber Kilcar, James Davidson, Ryan Langdon
KEY CREATIVES: Kareen Mallon (Drone Operator / Gaffer / AC), Greg Nesbit (Producer), Derrick Ross (Executive Producer, for SLAIGHT MUSIC), Ryan Langdon (Singer/Songwriter)
STATUS: Currently available for streaming on YouTube.
Goodnight Sunrise
"Liar Liar" (2015)
Co-Director / Producer / Cinematographer
Music Video, Comedy - 4m
SYNOPSIS: Toronto rock band Goodnight, Sunrise decide to throw a very special birthday party for keytarist/vocalist Vanessa Vakharia - one that will combine all the greatest childhood birthday memories into one super birthday party: unfortunately, with David Kochberg's incompetence and Paul Weaver's indifference, things don't go as planned for our birthday girl.
STARRING: Vanessa Vakharia, David Kochberg, Paul Weaver
KEY CREATIVES: David Kochberg (Co-Director, Editor, Guitarist), Vanessa Vakaria (Keyboard/Keytar/Vocalist), Paul Weaver (Drummer)
STATUS: Currently available for streaming on YouTube.
Paint
"Boomerang" (2013)
Writer / Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music Video, Crime, Drama - 6m25s
SYNOPSIS: A heist team member and her getaway driver steal away from the scene of a data theft while their vengeful former teammates give chase.
STARRING: Victoria Urquhart, Tommy Power, Larissa Benfey, Shay Galor, Robb Johannes, Jordan Shepherdson, Jenna Strautman, Devin Jannetta
KEY CREATIVES: Robb Johannes (Co-Producer/Composer/Songwriter/Band Frontman), Jordan Shepherdson (Guitarist/Vocalist), Jenna Strautman (Bassist), Devin Jannetta (Drummer)
STATUS: YouTube Digital Release + Physical DVD Release (Capsulated)
Running Red Lights
"Songs of Blue" (2018)
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor / Animator
Music Video, Lyric Video (Pop-On Animation) - 3m20s
SYNOPSIS: Lyric video for Running Red Lights' homage to Joni Mitchell and post-breakup longing.
KEY CREATIVES: Robyn Dell'Unto + Running Red Lights (Music, Lyrics), Scarlett Flynn (Vocalist), Kevin Howley (Drummer, Vocalist, Engineer), Dave Puzak (Guitarist, Mixer), Jeff Carter (Bassist)
STATUS: Currently available for streaming on YouTube.
Diamond Weapon
LIVE @ Sneaky Dee's (2018)
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music Video, Performance - ~2x5min
SYNOPSIS: Toronto post-punk quartet Diamond Weapon LIVE in concert at Sneaky Dees — (Single-take "one'r"s).
KEY CREATIVES: Louis Tentsos + Diamond Weapon (Music/Lyrics/Performance)
STATUS: Currently available for streaming on YouTube.
Running Red Lights
"Tangerines" (2018)
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music Video, Conceptual Performance - 6min
SYNOPSIS: Toronto rock quartet Running Red Lights perform live in-studio ahead of the release of their 2019 sophomore album.
KEY CREATIVES: Scarlett Flynn (Composer, Vocalist), Kevin Howley (Drummer, Vocalist, Engineer), Dave Puzak (Guitarist, Mixer), Jeff Carter (Bassist)
STATUS: Currently available for streaming on YouTube.
Bond Girl
"Darling" (2016)
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music Video - 4m
SYNOPSIS: Toronto rock trio Bond Girls record their single live off-the-floor at Noble Street Studios, in partnership with Converse Rubber Tracks.
KEY CREATIVES: Sam Seguin (Composer, Guitarist/Vocalist), Michael Laing (Composer, Drummer), Alex Bonenfant (Engineer)
STATUS: YouTube Digital Release
(disPLAY) (2016 [Filmed 2014])
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music, Concert Film - 1h20m
SYNOPSIS: Toronto rock band Paint put their bread and butter on display — figuratively and literally — with a double live album and concert film featuring mostly unreleased songs.
KEY CREATIVES: Robb Johannes (Co-Producer/Composer/Songwriter/Band Frontman), Jordan Shepherdson (Guitarist/Vocalist), Keiko Gutierrez (Bassist), Devin Jannetta (Drummer), Victoria Wicks (Studio Audio Producer, Live Audio Producer), Chris Sampson (Live Audio Engineer)
STATUS: Physical DVD + digital release via Vimeo streaming service VHX
LINK / SCENE: 13:26 (Madonna) and 52:45 (It's Over) — are two of my favourites from the film.
Goodnight Sunrise"The Honeymoon Is Over" (2013)
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music Video, Conceptual Performance - 4m37s
SYNOPSIS: On the Saturday of Canadian Music Week 2013, Toronto rock band Goodnight Sunrise teamed up with filmmaker R. Stephenson Price for a rock concert jam that'd really help you work up a sweat: a one-hour spin class set to a live rock concert.
KEY CREATIVES: David Kochberg (Guitarist / Vocalist), Vanessa Vakaria (Keyboardist / Keytarist / Vocalist), Andrew Charters (Bassist), Paul Weaver (Drummer), Greg Hodowansky (Lighting Technician / Live Audio Engineer), Alexa Pavliuc / Liz Gareri / JL Symister (Camera Operators)
STATUS: Currently available for streaming on YouTube
(disASSEMBLED): The Making of (disPLAY) (2016 [Filmed 2015])
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music, Documentary - 45m
SYNOPSIS: Toronto rock band Paint and director R. Stephenson Price discuss the conception, filming, and post-production turmoil involved in their two years creating the 80-minute government/crowd-funded experimental concert film (disPLAY)
KEY CREATIVES: Robb Johannes (Co-Producer/Composer/Songwriter/Band Frontman), Jordan Shepherdson (Guitarist/Vocalist), Keiko Gutierrez (Bassist), Devin Jannetta (Drummer)
STATUS: YouTube Digital Series + digital release via Vimeo streaming service VHX
LINK / SCENE: Episode 1 gives a fair assessment of where things go in subsequent episodes, but includes a cold open statement about the project from songwriter/producer Robb Johannes.
Story of the Moral of the Story: The Making of 11:11 (2016 [Filmed 2014])
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music, Documentary - 1h20m
SYNOPSIS: Toronto rock band Paint and director R. Stephenson Price discuss the conception, filming, and post-production involved in their nearly four-year experiment creating the multimedia government/crowd-funded experimental sci-fi project 11:11.
KEY CREATIVES: Robb Johannes (Co-Producer/Composer/Songwriter/Band Frontman), Jordan Shepherdson (Guitarist/Vocalist), Keiko Gutierrez (Bassist), Devin Jannetta (Drummer)
STATUS: YouTube Digital Series + digital release via Vimeo streaming service VHX
LINK / SCENE: Episode 1 gives a fair assessment of where things go in subsequent episodes (basic format + style-wise)
What Goes Around, Comes Around: The Making of Boomerang (2013)
Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music, Documentary - 32m
SYNOPSIS: Toronto rock band Paint and director R. Stephenson Price discuss the conception, filming, and post-production involved in the single-day guerrilla-style "heist gone wrong" music video Boomerang.
KEY CREATIVES: Robb Johannes (Co-Producer/Composer/Songwriter/Band Frontman), Jordan Shepherdson (Guitarist/Vocalist), Jenna Strautman (Bassist), Devin Jannetta (Drummer)
STATUS: YouTube Digital Release + Physical DVD Release (Capsulated)
LINK / SCENE: The opening few minutes of the doc illustrate the core of the story we try to tell in the documentary.
The Indie Machine (2010-2014)
Co-Host / Director / Producer / Cinematographer / Editor
Music Promotion, Review, Performance, and Interview Series - ~300+ Episodes
SYNOPSIS: Hosts David Marskell and Ryan Stephenson Price guide you through the latest and greatest in Toronto, Canadian, and international rock, pop and electronic music.
KEY CREATIVES: David Marskell (Co-host / Producer / Promoter), Liz Gareri (Photographer), Daryl Block (Photographer), Dean Marino (Columnist), Theo Posthumus (Columnist), Julia Stead (Columnist), Joshua Miller (Writer), Shawn Burgess (Writer), Alexa Pavliuc (Writer / Photographer)
STATUS: Now defunct; misc. video archive still partially accessible via Vimeo
LINK / SCENE: A selection of some of my favourite videos from the archive are included below.
Facts
Poor Young Things
Paradise Animals
Adam & The Amethysts
Cai.ro
PUP (Topanga)
Crowns For Convoys
Rich Aucoin
Honheehonhee
The Paint Movement
Organic Funk
The Box Tiger
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