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I’m a film director

John Parker

"I believe every story deserves to be felt, not just seen."

+1 1941 3412 2
johnparkerfilms@gmail.com

My Story

“For me, filmmaking is the art of empathy — of seeing the unseen. Whether through silence, chaos, or beauty, I strive to uncover the emotional truth of every frame. My goal is to create films that speak beyond language, touching the quiet corners of the human experience.”

John Parker is a Montreal-based film director with over a decade of experience bringing stories to life through cinematic realism, emotional depth, and bold visual storytelling. His work spans feature films, television, music videos, and commercials—each crafted with artistic precision and a strong narrative pulse. Whether working independently or leading productions under his company, Parker’s directing style captures the raw humanity behind every frame. – Samsa was a travelling salesman.

Filming95%

photography85%

Writing90%

My Works

Every project I direct begins with a story — a heartbeat waiting to be seen and felt. My works blend cinematic realism with artistic vision, exploring the complexity of human emotion, time, and the unspoken connections between people and their worlds.

TwinkleSeptember 30, 2018
Twin BrothersOctober 14, 2018
400January 21, 2017
The Under WorldMarch 08, 2017
Bomb RaiderMay 11, 2017
IroquoianJuly 13, 2017
Hard SpySeptember 19, 2017
Ghost MansionFebruary 03, 2018

Experience

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself
transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if
he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed.

1985-1990

Beneath the Northern Lights

Gerneral Crew

A poetic drama exploring isolation and rediscovery in Canada’s Arctic North. Screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

1990-1997

Fragments of Time

Art Director

Experimental narrative blending sound and silence to portray memory loss and hope. Winner of “Best Short Direction” at the Montreal Film Festival.

1997-2017

Echoes of Tomorrow

Film Director

A visually striking story about identity and technology’s grip on emotion. Distributed internationally on streaming platforms.

Clients

My Blog

Welcome to my creative journal — a collection of thoughts, lessons, and experiences from my journey as a film director. Here, I share insights about storytelling, directing, collaboration, and the ever-evolving world of cinema. These reflections come from real moments on set, creative challenges, and the passion that keeps me behind the camera. Every story teaches something new — these are mine.

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When I graduated from Concordia University’s Film Production program, I was convinced I’d step right into directing features. The truth was far from that. Like most filmmakers, I started small — carrying equipment, assisting on shoots, observing seasoned directors, and learning through repetition.

My first real opportunity came as a production assistant on a short film shot in Old Montreal. It wasn’t glamorous — I spent hours moving gear in freezing weather and fetching coffee. But I soaked up everything: how the director communicated with actors, how the cinematographer shaped light, how quiet moments between takes often revealed the real art of collaboration.

It took me almost two years to make my first independent short. The budget was barely enough for equipment rentals and sandwiches, but it taught me more than any class could. I learned how to direct under pressure, how to adapt when locations fall through, and how to turn limitations into creativity.

If there’s one lesson I carry from those early years, it’s that experience is built, not given. The more you’re on set — any set — the faster you learn what kind of filmmaker you are.

From Film School to First Set: The Reality Behind the Dream

April 06, 2018John Parker

When I graduated from Concordia University’s Film Production program, I was convinced I’d step right into directing features. The truth was far from that. Like most filmmakers, I started small — carrying equipment, assisting on shoots, observing seasoned directors, and learning through repetition...
×

When I graduated from Concordia University’s Film Production program, I was convinced I’d step right into directing features. The truth was far from that. Like most filmmakers, I started small — carrying equipment, assisting on shoots, observing seasoned directors, and learning through repetition.

My first real opportunity came as a production assistant on a short film shot in Old Montreal. It wasn’t glamorous — I spent hours moving gear in freezing weather and fetching coffee. But I soaked up everything: how the director communicated with actors, how the cinematographer shaped light, how quiet moments between takes often revealed the real art of collaboration.

It took me almost two years to make my first independent short. The budget was barely enough for equipment rentals and sandwiches, but it taught me more than any class could. I learned how to direct under pressure, how to adapt when locations fall through, and how to turn limitations into creativity.

If there’s one lesson I carry from those early years, it’s that experience is built, not given. The more you’re on set — any set — the faster you learn what kind of filmmaker you are.

Storytelling Through Emotion, Not Dialogue

June 07, 2018John Parker

As my directing style evolved, I found myself drawn less to dialogue and more to what happens between the lines — gestures, pauses, glances, silence. My approach shifted from trying to tell stories with words to telling them with feeling...
Balancing Independent Vision and Studio Expectations

August 19, 2018John Parker

Working both independently and with production companies has given me two different perspectives on filmmaking. Independent work is freeing — I control the narrative, the tone, the pacing. But it’s also risky, financially and emotionally...
The Importance of Collaboration on Set

June 4, 2017John Parker

I’ve often said that a director is only as strong as the people they work with. The best shots I’ve ever captured came from collaboration — from listening to my team, not dictating to them...
The Challenge of Directing Actors

August 22, 2017John Parker

Every actor brings a different language to set. Some need precise direction; others work best when left to discover. Over time, I’ve learned to adjust my communication style based on who’s in front of the camera...
Festivals, Feedback, and Finding Perspective

November 6, 2017John Parker

Getting accepted into festivals like TIFF or the Montreal Film Festival is thrilling — but it’s not the ultimate validation. I’ve had films rejected more times than accepted, and that’s part of the process...
What Experience Has Taught Me About the Craft

January 26, 2018John Parket

After more than a decade in film, I’ve learned that directing is equal parts art and endurance. You need vision, but you also need resilience — to handle long shoots, tight budgets, creative blocks, and constant reinvention...
When the Camera Stops Rolling: Rediscovering Creativity After Burnout

March 02, 2018John Parket

Filmmaking is often romanticized — the lights, the applause, the red carpets. But behind all of it lies something we rarely talk about: exhaustion. After more than ten years in the industry, I’ve learned that burnout isn’t just physical; it’s creative...

Contact

12th Wall Street Montreal Quebec Canada
+1 1941 3412 2
johnparkerfilms@gmail.com