Draft:James Parker (Filmmaker)
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James Parker (Filmmaker)
[edit]James Parker is a British-born American filmmaker and founder of Synchronous Pictures, a boutique production company. His work is characterized by a nuanced approach to storytelling, focusing on human connection, exploring controversial subjects with sensitivity, and examining the spaces between the lines. Parker’s films often address complex issues such as sustainability, political divides, and the subtleties of human experience. He is best known for his documentary Other Side of the Hill, which explores the impact of climate change on rural communities in Eastern Oregon and was nominated for a NATAS Emmy. The film is currently available for streaming on PBS.<ref>{{cite web |title=Other Side of the Hill on PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/video/other-side-of-the-hill-x7aw6x/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NATAS Northwest Nominees |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/589ccb1e15d5dbf1618a29c8/t/6070be06b90863240b77ed3a/1618001434050/NATAS+NW+_+Nominees_April+9_edit+1.pdf}}</ref>
Early life and education
[edit]Parker was born in the United Kingdom but moved to the United States with family when he was very young. He studied documentary filmmaking at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where he traveled extensively to create films in Botswana, India, Singapore, the UK, and across the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikh Group Looks to Build Awareness in Hollywood Through Partnership with Chapman’s Dodge College |url=https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2011/11/16/sikh-group-looks-to-build-awareness-in-hollywood-through-partnership-with-chapmans-dodge-college/ |website=Chapman University Blogs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sikh Arts and Film Festival Returns to Dodge College |url=https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2012/11/12/sikh-arts-and-film-festival-returns-to-dodge-college/ |website=Chapman University Blogs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=In Production Summer 2012 |url=https://www.chapman.edu/dodge/_files/in-prod-summer12.pdf |website=Chapman University Dodge College}}</ref>
Career
[edit]Other Side of the Hill (2020)
[edit]Parker’s documentary Other Side of the Hill explores the lives of rural Oregonians, highlighting their perspectives on climate change. The film has been screened at various festivals and platforms like Films for the Planet and Meaningful Movies, and is currently available for streaming on PBS. It was nominated for a NATAS Emmy and received praise for its balanced approach to environmental issues and its ability to humanize the challenges faced by small communities.
The documentary also garnered media attention, including a feature on The Jefferson Exchange radio show, where Parker discussed the film’s significance in bridging political divides.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Climate Change Looks in Oregon from 'Other Side of the Hill' |url=https://www.ijpr.org/show/the-jefferson-exchange/2024-04-23/wed-9-40-how-climate-change-looks-in-oregon-from-other-side-of-the-hill |website=Jefferson Public Radio}}</ref>
Synchronous Pictures
[edit]Through Synchronous Pictures, Parker has produced branded documentaries and environmental films with a focus on storytelling as a tool for building bridges across divides.
Entrepreneurial Pursuits
[edit]Outside of filmmaking, Parker is an entrepreneur. He was instrumental in bringing the Electron Wheel to market, an innovative electric bike wheel that gained significant media attention. The Electron Wheel was featured in outlets such as Forbes, TechCrunch, and Digital Trends, and it received several notable awards, including an Editor’s Choice Award from USA Today’s Reviewed.com.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reviewed Announces Its Winners for CES |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pr/2018/01/11/reviewed-announces-its-winners-annual-ces/109362516/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Forbes: This Clever Wheel Powers Up Your Bicycle in 30 Seconds |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottkramer/2018/04/04/this-clever-wheel-powers-up-your-bicycle-in-30-seconds/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=TechCrunch: Cyclist Uses Google Assistant-Controlled Electric Bike Wheel to Ride Cross-Country |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/29/a-cyclist-is-using-a-google-assistant-controlled-electric-bike-wheel-to-ride-cross-country-to-ces/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Digital Trends: Electron Wheel E-bike with Google Assistant |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/electron-wheel-ebike-google-assistant/}}</ref>
Additionally, the Electron Wheel won a PR Daily Award for Best Product or Service Launch, beating out competitors such as McDonald's and Fender Guitars.<ref>{{cite web |title=PR Daily Awards 2018 Winners |url=https://www.ragan.com/awards/pr-daily-awards/2018/winners/}}</ref> These achievements reflect Parker’s broader interest in innovative technology and sustainable solutions.
Media Coverage
[edit]Parker has been featured in various media outlets, including Canvas Rebel, SD Voyager, and Bold Journey, where he reflects on his journey as a filmmaker and the themes that drive his work. In interviews, Parker emphasizes his passion for using film to explore the intersections of human experience, connection, and controversial topics in a way that fosters understanding across cultural and political divides.
Personal Life
[edit]James Parker resides in San Diego, where he continues to lead Synchronous Pictures and develop a variety of documentary and branded content projects.
References
[edit]- https://www.pbs.org/video/other-side-of-the-hill-x7aw6x/
- https://static1.squarespace.com/static/589ccb1e15d5dbf1618a29c8/t/6070be06b90863240b77ed3a/1618001434050/NATAS+NW+_+Nominees_April+9_edit+1.pdf
- https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2011/11/16/sikh-group-looks-to-build-awareness-in-hollywood-through-partnership-with-chapmans-dodge-college/
- https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2012/11/12/sikh-arts-and-film-festival-returns-to-dodge-college/
- https://www.chapman.edu/dodge/_files/in-prod-summer12.pdf
- https://www.ijpr.org/show/the-jefferson-exchange/2024-04-23/wed-9-40-how-climate-change-looks-in-oregon-from-other-side-of-the-hill
- https://canvasrebel.com/meet-james-parker-2/
- https://sdvoyager.com/interview/hidden-gems-meet-james-parker-of-synchronous-pictures/
- https://boldjourney.com/meet-james-parker/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottkramer/2018/04/04/this-clever-wheel-powers-up-your-bicycle-in-30-seconds/
- https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/29/a-cyclist-is-using-a-google-assistant-controlled-electric-bike-wheel-to-ride-cross-country-to-ces/
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/electron-wheel-ebike-google-assistant/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pr/2018/01/11/reviewed-announces-its-winners-annual-ces/109362516/
- https://www.ragan.com/awards/pr-daily-awards/2018/winners/