James Ransom

James Ransom’s one of those guys who just sort of pops up everywhere when you start digging into the world of indie film. You’ll find his fingerprints all over music videos, short films, and even installation pieces, all shot through the wild, imaginative lens he brings to the table. Dude studied fine arts at the University of Ottawa, but honestly, his real education seems to be out in the field, hustling on sets and turning basic concepts into something that’s actually got some soul. He’s got three feature films to his name, but ask anyone who’s seen his stuff and they’ll go off about his work with Oily Film Company, especially in the way he messes with visuals and mood. Right now, he’s deep into this stop-motion animated series for the Ontario Arts Council—talk about patience, right? It’s not just regular cinematography; he’s actually building these little worlds frame by frame. Back in 2012, he snagged the SXSW title design award for “Les Blues De Ramville,” which is kind of a big deal if you’re into main titles and all that. And then, just to keep things rolling, his work on “Hardrock Medical,” a Canadian TV series, ended up nominated the following year in the same category. Kind of wild, really—he moves between formats like it’s nothing, but there’s always this signature touch, this gritty, thoughtful vibe that lets you know, yeah, that’s Ransom behind the camera.