Successful Personal Short Film | Leave Darkness Not For Light

Hey everyone! I wanted to touch base on a short film I created in late 2014. The film encompasses my writing, voice over, cinematography, editing and colour grading. The music used also features some layering I provided from the amazing 'The Signal' OST. The film was shot in British Columbia on a long road trip hitting some major locations, even including the last spike- the area the original Canadian Pacific Railroad was completed in the West.

The film was a top contender on a Vimeo award based website the month it was released and has now garnered over 10,000 views- which for a website with no 'recommended video' section is very high! The video also has over 200 likes from Vimeo subscribers, has been featured on numerous blogs and Vimeo channels including a few Sony pages. The video has also been played in well over 100 countries around the world- including the Vatican!

As for the video meaning, I wanted to spread awareness of not giving up and to enjoy the small details in everything around you- to never stop opening your eyes and mind to what’s there right in front of you. The writing was inspired by almost losing my life in a strong current in a river in Squamish British Columbia months before this film was completed. I was knocked out by a log I was about to ride down stream on and if not for a small log I jumped to hold onto 300 meters downstream where I was swept, I would of been pulled under this massive log locked damn and surely not made it. The amount of force I was pulling up on the log that just happened to be in the perfect place at the perfect time was incredible. Surprisingly the moment was not one of entire panic but calmness looking up at this stunning mountain beside me. I figured if there was anywhere to go- it was here. Luckily after hardly being able to even move my legs towards my body as I was getting swept under the log damn (where the 30 foot log I rode there on was swept under without a chance) I finally made it out with thanks to a friend who had actually jumped in the river with me. Luckily due to the width of the log she was close enough to the shore and could thankfully get out easier as I yelled to tell her to just get out ASAP. I really was unsure I’d be able to make it and never could of lived with something happening to her after she jumped in after seeing my head hit a log under the water when I was swept in the river. The moments from when I came to above water and quickly maneuvered as well as I could to that log lifting up out of the damn was all a matter of seconds and frankly one of the most incredible moments of my life. It was impossible not to see the beauty of nature as such a powerful but beautiful creature after that moment in my life and I wanted to share that feeling with my art.

Below is the video for 'Leave Darkness Not For Light' as well as some stat photos and screenshots from the film itself. If you have a Vimeo please ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ me for more. Please Enjoy and I hope you too take something from this- and if so- I've done my job:)

-William Yianni Binks