Filmmaker, lo-fi musician, educator, reader, writer, traveler. I love connecting through conversations!! I’m passionate about putting art into my life, though I put a good amount of my life into art as well.

I'm 6'7" (2 meters) so a small sofa would be a challenge. I'm adept at sleeping on couches though, even if my legs and feet are hanging off the side—at this point I'm quite used to it!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To travel like a local, meet cool people, and to sleep somewhere cozy.

Interests

Currently in post-production on my feature film directing debut (we shot the film summer 2022 in LA). I direct an annual film festival for unconventional stories that also features an art exhibition and a lot of live music. I want to see more avant-garde/experimental dance performances!

• writing
• design
• film festivals
• education
• walking
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• languages
• art
• film
• conversation
• learning
• zines

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: looking for new recommendations! I have plenty of favorites but not much that’s exciting to me anymore. I’m ready for some new shit.

Movies: Coen Bros., Cronenberg, Deren, Gilliam, Gondry, Jeunet & Caro, Kon, Kurosawa, Lynch, Miyazaki, Waters, Welles.

Books: Asimov, Bester, Block, Dick, Dickens, Gibson, Kafka, Le Guin, Moore, Murakami, Vonnegut.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I took a one-month leave of absence from a new job to fly to New Zealand in 1999 to try to work on The Lord of the Rings. I didn't get the gig (was clueless about work visas then and didn't have a degree yet), but I ended up staying in hostels for the first time and that's when I really fell in love with travel. That trip totally changed my life—encouraged me to go back to school, travel more, live abroad, learn other languages, etc., etc. all the way up to the present day!

Teach, Learn, Share

I taught English in Japan and taught film in China. I'm happy to share some indie filmmaking tips (pre-production, production, post production, documentary and narrative). I'm happy to educate anyone on Michigan pizza and why it's the best in the world (crazy bias I know, but I can support it!). Happy to learn about your town, your culture, arts, music, writing, dance!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Love to listen and talk—philosophy, pop culture, passion projects—you name it! I've traveled the country with a feature documentary I made a few years ago, direct a film festival now—if you're into unconventional stories there are some amazing shorts I can share with you!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Japan, Taiwan, United States