Ben Blair
Filmmaker @ Pamoza Pictures / Based in Saint Paul, MN
Ben Blair is a filmmaker and photographer who fiercely believes in the power of storytelling to propel positive social change. He's passionately pursued stories that connect the human spirit and seek to bring us closer together...
read on
Focus:
Filmmaker
About
Available in: Saint Paul, MN
Focused on:
Filmmaker
Coverage Regions:
Africa USA & Canada
Years of experience: 6 to 10
HEFAT certification? no
Ben Blair is a filmmaker and photographer who fiercely believes in the power of storytelling to propel positive social change. He's passionately pursued stories that connect the human spirit and seek to bring us closer together throughout society.
His career has spanned many avenues including a journalism, public relations, commercial advertising and brand films, and documentary storytelling.
His first documentary project was a nine-month shoot in Malawi, Africa that resulted in the development of youth leadership workshops and engagement from university and graduate level trainings between three continents.
He's recently been working with brands to tell more human-focused, character-driven stories that create a more authentic and meaningful relationship between brands and their customers and supporters. In 2020, Ben completed the first-ever Brand Film Storytelling certificate program through the Brand Storytelling Network, a partner with the Sundance Film Festival. His work has been seen in USA Today, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Food & Wine Magazine, Thrillist, Huffington Post, Esquire, Fast Company, AdWeek, Draft Magazine, Time, Eater, Mazim, Paste Magazine, Wet Pixel, the Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times.
Previously Ben also spent time in front of the camera as an actor, and member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association.
An accomplished leader, facilitator and storyteller who relentlessly pursues collaboration and team success, Ben uses storytelling to create and propel positive change. Two important concepts form the foundation of Ben’s life and work are: 1) ubuntu and 2) kaizen.
UBUNTU: I am, because we are. Ubuntu is about wanting everyone to have success, that one person's success does not come before the success of the whole.
KAIZEN: The practice of continuous improvement.
A consummate learner, Ben regularly seeks out ways to stay at the forefront of new trends and technology, as well as programs and courses that will amplify his ability to create connection through story.
As a big fan of personal development and leadership, Ben has participated in numerous leadership development programs. He holds a Minor in Leadership from the University of Minnesota, and has presented and trained on the topic of leadership at several youth leadership conferences across the U.S.
Ben is a member of: the International Documentary Association, the American Society of Media Photographers, SAG-AFTRA, the Academy of Storytellers, and the Muse Storytelling Academy.
He is also a big fan of breakfast sandwiches.
His career has spanned many avenues including a journalism, public relations, commercial advertising and brand films, and documentary storytelling.
His first documentary project was a nine-month shoot in Malawi, Africa that resulted in the development of youth leadership workshops and engagement from university and graduate level trainings between three continents.
He's recently been working with brands to tell more human-focused, character-driven stories that create a more authentic and meaningful relationship between brands and their customers and supporters. In 2020, Ben completed the first-ever Brand Film Storytelling certificate program through the Brand Storytelling Network, a partner with the Sundance Film Festival. His work has been seen in USA Today, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Food & Wine Magazine, Thrillist, Huffington Post, Esquire, Fast Company, AdWeek, Draft Magazine, Time, Eater, Mazim, Paste Magazine, Wet Pixel, the Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times.
Previously Ben also spent time in front of the camera as an actor, and member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity Association.
An accomplished leader, facilitator and storyteller who relentlessly pursues collaboration and team success, Ben uses storytelling to create and propel positive change. Two important concepts form the foundation of Ben’s life and work are: 1) ubuntu and 2) kaizen.
UBUNTU: I am, because we are. Ubuntu is about wanting everyone to have success, that one person's success does not come before the success of the whole.
KAIZEN: The practice of continuous improvement.
A consummate learner, Ben regularly seeks out ways to stay at the forefront of new trends and technology, as well as programs and courses that will amplify his ability to create connection through story.
As a big fan of personal development and leadership, Ben has participated in numerous leadership development programs. He holds a Minor in Leadership from the University of Minnesota, and has presented and trained on the topic of leadership at several youth leadership conferences across the U.S.
Ben is a member of: the International Documentary Association, the American Society of Media Photographers, SAG-AFTRA, the Academy of Storytellers, and the Muse Storytelling Academy.
He is also a big fan of breakfast sandwiches.
Education
University of Minnesota, School of Journalism