Creator Spotlight: How to be a curious storyteller with Director Brock Davis Mitchell

Alberta is full of creative and inspiring individuals! Travel Alberta is fortunate to collaborate with some of the best local creators to capture and produce breathtaking content for our channels. We decided to tap into this group to learn more about their craft and give them a platform to share their knowledge with tourism industry members.

Compelling digital content can help industry members grow their business by reaching potential travellers through social media, their website, and on travelalberta.com through ATIS. By doing so, Alberta’s tourism operators can take control of their digital content by learning from the best in the industry.

In the first installment of this new series, we reached out to Brock Davis Mitchell, a renowned cinematographer and director, to chat about his career, how he became a curious storyteller and how tourism operators can learn from his philosophy. Brock recently travelled to Running Reins Ranch to capture promotional content in both the summer and winter months.

Four Tips to be an authentic storyteller

So, what can operators across the province learn from Brock’s philosophy and journey as a creator? Here are four tips from Brock himself:

Tip #1 – Focus on the process, not the final product

So often people get caught up with the result that they forget to have fun with the process. On set at Running Reins Ranch, Brock ensured that owners Janice and Terry took time to step back and appreciate the magnitude of this video project and what it meant for their business. By doing so, the crew and Janice and Terry were able to let loose on set, get curious, and be open about the family’s fascinating journey. Everyone built strong connections, making it even more special when the crew returned for additional filming days later in the year. Focusing on the process of capturing content and Running Reins Ranch’s journey created an authentic digital product.

Tip #2 – You don’t need to include everything in one video

There are multiple stories within a story, and you don’t need to include it all in one video. The beauty of storytelling is the infinite ways to approach and tell a narrative. Whether you're exploring the experiences your business offers travellers or the journey of your business getting off the ground, look at all the different perspectives and break them into multiple stories and videos.

Tip #3 – Multiple people can take the spotlight on camera

Despite what you may think, as an owner/operator you don’t necessarily have to be on camera. Take a step back and get interested in the people who work for and visit your business. Have conversations, make those people feel safe and build your narrative and content from there. Beyond facilities and tours, storytelling is about the people involved.

Tip #4 – Be a curious storyteller

You know your business inside and out, so step into the shoes of someone who doesn’t. Document and learn about how someone truly experiences your tourism product, how they feel about it and what it means to them to experience it. People want to see themselves inside the story, so tell real stories with real people.

Brock Mitchell Davis Biography

2023 Alberta Film and Television Award winner for ‘Best Short Form Documentary Director’, Brock Davis Mitchell made his directorial debut through narrative music videos, completing his first feature film ‘A Gentleman’ in 2018.

Brock’s work has garnered numerous accolades across the country including a 2020 Western Canada Music Awards nomination for ‘Video Director of the Year’, 2020 Toronto International Film and Video Award nomination for ‘Best Music Video’, to his more recent wins for ‘Audience Choice’ award at the 2022 Calgary International Film Festival and ‘Best Documentary Short’ at the 2022 Alberta Film and Television Awards.

Brock has recently found fulfillment and inspiration through teaching and mentorship with Tap Root Actors Academy, based in Kikino Métis Settlement, as the program’s Director of Photography and Technical Lead.