Dan Gelles is a recent graduate of Ithaca College. He graduated with a B.S. in Cinema and Photography. The major kept his feet simultaneously planted in the still photography and motion pictures worlds.
In terms of photography, Dan has little interest in the postcard aesthetic. Rather than reinforcing preconceived notions about the world, Dan seeks to challenge them. He has found that the best way to learn about a city is to promptly ditch the tour group and set out on his own. The world is imperfect, and he believes that the medium should reflect that.
With regard to filmmaking, he prefers to create films that confront and critique our society rather than escape from it. Filmmaking is perhaps the most powerful and transformative tool at our disposal and filmmakers have an immense responsibility to create works of art while remaining socially conscientious about the potential ramifications of their work. Dan Gelles has directed several short films based on his own constructed narratives, as well as created works for private clients and the National Park Service. It is the collaborative effort of working with producers, actors, editors and music composers that drives him to create his best work.
Normalcy and comfort are detrimental to the creative process. Dan (albeit not always successfully) tries to avoid these proclivities at all costs. Instead, Dan seeks out to constantly immerse himself in new and diverse environments to understand and have compassion for multiple perspectives.
Juliette Zyg Picture Studios
After growing up with an eclectic mother and a historian for a father, Dan chooses not to ascribe to one all encompassing ideology. Instead, Dan accepts that for every situation there are multiple truths to be discovered. It is the job of the artist to solely expose them, then the public can draw their own verdicts.
Juliette Zyg Picture Studios
