Description: This film puts climbers into the landscape of Joshua Tree National Park during the first ever 29 Palms Rock Rumble Royale, a bouldering competition and conservation event.
It was filmed on December 13 and 14, and features interviewees that hold a conversation about conservation with the filmmaker, Jonathan Serna, as he discovers climbing conservation, and witnesses climbing history.
My role: Credentialed and permitted, I filmmed, interviewed, and edited every single frame of this film. Shot on location in 29 Palms, and Joshua Tree National Park over three days. It sarted first as a conversation with Seth Zaharias, owner of Cliffhanger Guides, and eventually manifested to an opportunity of creating a documentary that highlights both the historical climbing event, as well as important conservation effort. Event day shooting schedule included hauling 20lbs of gear throughout the park, conducting on the spot interviews, and camping overnight in the high desert at the start of winter season. Shot and cut in a way that was influenced by the sweeping landscapes of the western film genre, as well as the intimate and detailed images of those western characters to capture the grit of the experience. The film was in post production for a years time in, and used as a way to generate interest in the event's second run in 2026.
Description: The title says it all. This passion project created by Oliver Kuang and Jonathan Serna sets out to highlight Souther California's best route setters. The routes, the holds, and the people make for a special experience, and this film is an attempt to capture and convey it.
My role: I filmed the experience in close collaboration with Oliver Kuang. I helped prompt interview flow, as well as lit both interview and route setting scenes. The overall aesthetic was created in camera to focus on finding the story of the film, which was largely driven by music choice. There was a desire have the film do more showing than telling for the route setting section, so each song was chosen to complement the styles and personalities of each setter. This film's release was a critical component to it's storytelling as we wanted it to be a conversation piece for the future of climbing and creativity in climbing.
Accolades:
Mad Rock Climbing Vertical Visions Official Selection 2025
Mad rock Climbing 2025 Creator Panelist
Description: Greta is back with another round of classes—are you ready to watch your technique skyrocket?! Beyond the Basics: Bouldering is made of 5 targeted technique workshops designed for V2-5 climbers, and cover Footwork & Overhang Climbing, Lockoffs & Static Movement, Dynos & Dynamic Movement, Heel & Toe Hooks, and Slopers & Technical Movement.
My role: I conducted a 30 minute interview via a set of prepared questions that I asked Greta Foehr. The questions were provided a few days in advance, as well as a storyboard so that she could prepare responses with eloquence and brevity, and climbing sequences that highlighted the material of her class. Though the interview footage was not included in the final video, the intention was to use the dialogue as a natural and candid voice over to provide context to the footage.
Description: With our CRANKIN’ Bouldering Competition 2023 behind us, here’s a recap video of how it all turned out! The climbing community showed up to test their mettle, fall down, get back up, send it, win big, and, above all, have a good time.
My Role: I had the aim of capturing the community, culture, and competitiveness of the annual bouldering competition, called Crankin’, by the client, Rocknasium. I worked with a two camera set up to ensure the efficient capture of diverse and quality footage. With my knowledge of the space, as well as timing of the schedule, I was able to provide enough coverage over the span of 12 hours to tell a story of camaraderie, failure, and success. Lastly, I conducted an impromptu interview that served as a voice over, which made room for sharing a brief history of the 30-year-old event through Imani’s personal perspective. I was able to recount its history by searching through various archives, and interviewing various long-time members.