Project Overview
Lost Spirit is a poetry film inspired by E. Pauline Johnson’s reflective poem “Lost Lagoon.” The film explores the emotional and cultural disconnection between humans and nature, drawing on themes of memory, loss, and spiritual presence. As the director and editor, I was responsible for shaping the film’s creative vision, establishing its tone, and guiding it through every stage—from conceptual development to final cut.
A highlight of the film is the powerful voice narration by acclaimed poet and media artist January Rogers. Her emotionally charged delivery directly influenced the film’s visual rhythm and color grading, anchoring the entire piece with depth and resonance.
Key Contributions: Creative Direction, Film Editing, Research, Storyboarding, Narrative Development
Tools Used: Microsoft Copilot AI, CapCut
Research & Conceptual Development
My research into E. Pauline Johnson’s background and the historical transformation of Vancouver’s Lost Lagoon formed the foundation of the film’s narrative and aesthetic. Johnson, a poet of Mohawk and British descent, was deeply inspired by Indigenous stories and the changing landscapes of the early 20th century. Her poem mourns the loss of a natural space altered by urban development—a metaphor for broader cultural and environmental disconnection.
This historical and emotional context shaped our core creative question: What remains when a place is lost? How does spirit persist in silence, memory, and land?
Directing the Vision
As the director, I guided the creative tone, narrative pacing, and visual storytelling. Originally conceived as a character-driven story, the film underwent a major conceptual shift after feedback from Professor Dr. Kate Hennessy. I led the team in transitioning toward a video poetry format, embracing abstraction, mood, and interpretive imagery in place of traditional plot structure.
This creative pivot allowed the film to embody the essence of Johnson’s poem—fluid, reflective, and emotionally open-ended.
Storyboarding with AI
To visualize the film’s tone and structure early in the process, I used Microsoft Copilot AI to generate detailed, black-and-white storyboard frames. This approach allowed for quick iteration and clarity when aligning the team on shot composition and transitions. Crafting specific prompts helped translate abstract ideas into tangible visuals, which were crucial during pre-production.
Post-Production
The emotional centerpiece of the film is the narration by January Rogers, whose expressive voice deeply informed my editorial decisions. Her passionate, soulful reading guided the editing rhythm, visual pacing, and color palette of the film.
I used soft lighting, natural textures, muted tones, and slow dissolves to echo her voice's emotional cadence. My editing approach was designed to create a meditative experience—subtle yet powerful—allowing viewers to feel the weight of memory and loss through silence and space as much as through words.
Final Outcome & Public Screening
The final product was a success both creatively and publicly. Lost Spirit was screened at the Vancouver Public Library’s downtown location, where it was viewed by an audience of over 50 attendees. The screening was met with enthusiastic feedback and sparked meaningful discussions around the intersection of poetry, Indigenous storytelling, and environmental change.
This successful screening marked a proud moment for our team and demonstrated the film’s ability to connect with audiences on both an emotional and intellectual level.
Reflection
Lost Spirit was a powerful learning experience that pushed me to grow as both a director and visual storyteller. Directing and editing this film challenged me to move beyond structured narratives and embrace poetic abstraction, intuition, and emotion as design tools.
Collaborating with January Rogers and crafting visuals that resonated with her voice taught me the importance of harmony between sound and image. The public screening validated our creative risks and reinforced the value of deeply researched, culturally sensitive storytelling.