Scott Gardner
Cinematographer, Photographer, Painter, & Founder of an arts based non-profit organization.
DOCUMENTARY FILM & TELEVISION (select experience)
Port City Kings, History Before Us Films -Co-Director, Director of Photography July 2023 - ongoing
Feature film documentary that tells the story of a gang member in Wilmington, NC that servedtime for murder and is now seeking to mend his relationship with his absent father by traveling to the Gate of No Return in Ghana to try and heal the personal and ancestral wounds that haunt them both.
Untitled Jim Irsay Project, Film 45 - Director of Photography September 2022 - ongoing
Feature film documentary that tells the story of Jim Irsay, the owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. The project highlights his experiences growing up with the team, his rock concerts, and his struggles with addiction. Directed by Peter Berg.
H.O.R.D.E Documentary, Macho Grande Entertainment - Director of Photography August 2023 - ongoing
Feature film documentary that tells the story of the founding of the H.O.R.D.E Tour, featuring Blues Traveler, Phish, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Widespread Panic, the Aquarium Rescue
Unit, the Spindoctors and more.
A Binding Truth, Whirlygig Productions - Director of Photography January 2020 – December 2022
Feature film documentary that tells the Jimmy Lee Kirkpatrick story, detailing his role in Charlotte’s civil rights history as the African-American Myers Park football player who was
denied the right to play in the Shrine Bowl, as well as his ongoing journey of personal reconciliation with the descendants of the family that owned his ancestors during the 1800’s in
Charlotte. Founders Award, International Black Film Festival. Audience Award Twin Cities Film Festival, now screening on PBS.
TRU Colors, Macho Grande Entertainment - Director, Producer, Cinematographer January 2021 – March 2021
Pilot episode for a documentary series detailing the lives of rival gang members who have come together to start a brewery in Wilmington, NC as a way to decrease gun violence. Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciples setting aside their rivalries to create a safer community through economic opportunity and life skills training including yoga, nutrition and conflict resolution.
Castaways, ABC – Camera Operator/Story Producer July 2017 – November 2017
10 part social experiment/documentary filmed for ABC in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and Raja Ampat Indonesia. The project asks the question whether it is better to come together and share resources, or hoard your things and go it alone.
Uncensored with Michael Ware, National Geographic – Director of Photography June 2016 – September 2016
An hour-long investigative journalism series featuring Michael Ware, former CNN Baghdad bureau chief. Investigated stories such as contemporary witch burning in Papua New Guinea, the last true monarchy in Africa in Swaziland, and an Iranian dissident group in Paris, Berlin, and Albania.
The Horn, Red Bull/Netflix – Director of Photography January 2016 – May 2016
Six part documentary series focusing on the pilots and medics from a helicopter rescue company in Zermatt, Switzerland. The series dives in to their lives to understand the men who
put their lives at risk on a daily basis to rescue others. Won two Realscreen documentary awards.
Alone, History Channel – Director of Photography 2014
Director of Photography for Season 1 of the continuing hit survival series Alone.
The Rough South of Larry Brown, Down Home Productions – Director of Photography
Multi-award winning documentary profiling the life and work of acclaimed southern writer Larry Brown. Los Angeles Film Festival.
NARRATIVE FILM WORK
Compliance, Magnolia Pictures : 2nd Unit DP, Movie poster : Sundance dir-Craig Zobel
Prince Avalanche, Magnolia Pictures : Underwater DP, Movie poster : Silver Bear @ Berlin Film Festival dir-David Gordon Green
Take Shelter, Sony Pictures Classics : Movie poster : Sundance, Cannes dir- Jeff Nichols
Nature Calls, Big Beach Films : movie poster : dir-Todd Rohal
COMMERCIAL
Walmart, Film 45 – Director of Photography
Short film featuring Dave Matthews and his guitar maker in Richmond, VA
Short film featuring Pharell Williams and his Something in the Water festival.
DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY
Finding Silence 2016 - Ongoing
Photography project documenting the silence traditions of ancient spiritual traditions. Including Theravada Buddhist monks and nuns in Myanmar, Shamans in Siberia, and Eastern Orthodox monks in Russia.
FINE ART EXHIBITIONS (photography + painting)
Seeking Silence, Charlotte, NC: Sozo Gallery
Stalking Deep Time, Houston, TX: Gremillion Gallery
A tale of two cities, Charlotte, NC: McColl Center
Annuale 9, Charlotte, NC: The Light Factory
#connect, Charlotte, NC: Ross Gallery CPCC
Neighbor, Charlotte, NC: Warehouse 242
New Work, NY, NY: The Empire Hotel
Through the Ethereal, Charlotte, NC: Barings
Breathing Space, Charlotte, NC: Sozo Gallery
COMMUNITY ART
I am Queen Charlotte, Charlotte, NC October 2021 – March 2022
A city-wide celebration and honoring of African American women in Charlotte, NC, a city named for the first Black
British Royal. Produced and raised the funding for a whole week of events including:
A sold out live performance of women’s stories onstage at the Belk Theater, directed by Tony nominated Benjamin Klein, and in collaboration with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Opera Carolina.
A coffee table book featuring portraits of the women taken by me, and their stories written by Hannah Hasan.
A whole week of events including a walking art tour featuring the work of Black women, screenings of short films by Black student filmmakers, and multiple panel discussions.
The Future is NOW, Charlotte, NC May 2019 - June 2019
Large scale photo installation covering the entire exterior of the uptown Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library with large scale wheat pasted portraits of children as part of the inaugural Charlotte SHOUT festival.
Installation involved photographing and interviewing 250 school children from across the city to encourage engagement around children’s issues.
#connect, Charlotte, NC January 2018 - February 2018
Interactive installation at the Ross Gallery @ CPCC designed to encourage connection between people from all corners of the community.
The Blessing Box Campaign, Charlotte, NC August 2016 - August 2017
Multi-phase project designed to cultivate habits of kindness and compassion in our community.
Engaged ~25,000 Charlotteans from across the city, including 50 schools (public and private), all the universities, churches, synagogues, a mosque, the police department, the government center, small businesses, individuals and families.
Included 8 artmaking workshops and 4 installations of the final project across the city including Spirit Square and a collaboration with the Charlotte Symphony at Romare Bearden Park.
LOVE + LISTEN + SERVE, Charlotte, NC 2015 - June 2017
Made a series of short documentary films sharing the stories of our neighbors who are judged, discriminated against, or ignored: designed to create connection and empathy between parts of the community who never really intersect or communicate. The idea is don’t judge somebody if you’ve never talked to them or heard their story. Cultivating the inherent empathy and compassion that comes with listening and connection.
Videos were produced in partnership with local non-profits serving these communities. Homelessness, poverty, & LGBTQ+ stories.
PANELS + LECTURES
The Mint Museum: Develar y detonar
The Brand Center at VCU
FactualWEST Conference
North Carolina School of the Arts
Queens University
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte Country Day
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Myers Park Methodist Church
RESIDENCIES
McColl Center for Art + Innovation : August 2016-May 2017
EDUCATION
North Carolina School of the Arts - BFA in Cinematography