Ethan R. Hill
Welcome to my world! A world of wonder and excitement!I’m a writer, director, producer and all around film maker. Here you can explore my work and get to know me a little bit. I’m a lover of movies who believes strongly in the pursuit of all things artistic.So if you like what you see,
Let's Make a Movie!
Ethan R. Hill
Director
There is nothing more I’ve wanted in life than to be a director. From the first time I saw Star Wars when I was 5, I knew I wanted to do “that” but I could’t tell you what “that” was. Years later I would figure it out, watching the behind the scenes of The Lord of the Rings. Watching what Peter Jackson did with those movies finally filled in the missing piece of what it was I wanted to do with my life.Since then I’ve been chasing that dragon, doing what I can to make that dream possible. Nothing is quite as fulfilling as bringing a concept to life, from page to screen. Being able to share a vision with the world is a true gift and one I wish to do until the end of my days.
Demo Reel Coming Soon
Your story should inform almost all of your decisions. Don’t be afraid to go against your vision if the story is telling you otherwise.A smaller budget just increases the need for innovation.
Projects
Piper's Ghost
After years of collaboration as directors, I wanted to find my voice and work at directing on my own again.Piper's Ghost is my first step away from co-direction since school. Thanks to having the right team of people to work with in every facet of this project I felt comfortable in my own skin. I can honestly say this project confirmed for me what I knew in my heart all along. I am meant to be a director.
More Coming Soon!
Enjoy A Sneak Peek!
If I Had An Orange For Every Person In The Room
If I Had An Orange was supposed to be a quick follow up after the release of Damned Rites. However due to the nature of the project, the pandemic, mental health and life circumstances, it took us much longer to finish than we intended.I am so happy that we completed this project, as I consider it such a deeply personal one for myself. It was worth the wait.
Now Available on YouTube
Damned Rites
Damned Rites is my first feature film. Co-directed with my best friend and long time film collaborator, Jesse Prosser, we set out with next to no money and a small crew of dreamers to make a feature, regardless the challenges.Our film captures the independent film maker spirit and we are so proud of what we were able to make with what we had.
Now Streaming On Tubi
Rayne
This was my first attempt at any kind of narrative story telling that was more than just a scene long. While it is a student project, it wasn't completed until after I had finished school and moved on with my life. Some negative feed back from professors kind of took the wind out of the sails of those involved.A couple years after graduation I had the footage still and hated that the project wasn't done. I asked Jesse Prosser to try editing it together and we managed to find what I think is a pretty good student film in the midst of rediscovering my confidence as a director.
Find More of My Projects On YouTube
Ethan R. Hill
Writer
Before I knew I wanted to direct, I knew I wanted to write. I fell in love with storytelling at a very young age, as far back as when I was a child playing with his toys, coming up with bizarre tales to entertain himself. That evolved into the written word and by the time I was 10 I decided I wanted to become an author. Unfortunately for the author in me, I fell in love with movies next and switched my focus into writing for the movies.There's something special about creating the worlds and characters that fill these stories and watching them work their way out of the situations you put them in. I'm a big believer in letting the characters and their actions inform the story, so much so I've had characters completely derail my plans for them.Stories are what bring us together. I feel that anyone can be a writer as everyone has a unique voice to tell the stories that they have to share with the world. That's what I want to do overall, tell my stories and hopefully bring people together with them through entertainment or some deeper connection.
Produced Screenplays
Piper's Ghost
Piper sets out to make the perfect ghost effect for her next stage show. Will she succeed or will the results be ghastly?
PIPER'S GHOST started as a desire to write something based around one of my favourite visual effects, the Pepper's Ghost. From that grain of an idea it evolved into a story about the artists struggle for perfection and when to say enough is enough. It's something I have personally struggled with on both sides, as the person unwilling to give up on their project and as the person telling someone it has reached its limit.It's an important subject that needs to be discussed more amoung us artists. Perfection is great in theory but the imperfections are what make us human.
If I Had An Orange For Every Person In The Room
Picture this. A small team of researchers are trapped in a cabin, unable to leave without dire consequences.
IF I HAD AN ORANGE FOR EVERY PERSON IN THE ROOM (or Oranges for short) is an incredibly personal film to me. It started just as another short to shoot to build the resume. However during the writing process there came a time where I was joking about the themes with my friends and said that the film was really a metaphor for depression, the many faces it can take and the inescapable cycle that it often appears as.It was a tough project to make from writing to the final project, but I am so proud of how it turned out and that I got to say what I needed to say regarding my mental health at the time of contructing it.
Damned Rites
Three struggling paranormal investigators expect to find nothing unusual in their final case. They realize how unprepared they are when evil spirits appear to torment them and their friends. Can they survive the case, or will they die trying?
DAMNED RITES had a very interesting conception around it. I had just recently moved cities, found a new job that I hated and had just got settled in. I came home from work one day feeling down trodden and my roommate and collaborator, Jesse Prosser, came home feeling the exact same way. We sat in silence for a moment when at the same moment we reached the conclusion and said out loud "We need to make something". We didn't know what it was we needed to make, all we knew is we didn't want it to be a short and that no matter what it was going to happen.We sat down and took stock of everything that we had at our disposal, taking stock of skills, locations, props, equipment, anything that would help us make this project. From there we determined genre and I began writing the outline. In two short months I had a draft written and we moved into preproduction. We knew the script wasn't the most original idea and that it still needed some heavy lifting done on it but it met our criteria. It was something that we could make and that we would make.I recognize the rough patches within both the script and the final product but the experience was so valuable I wear it like a badge of honour. I have a firm belief in not running from your missteps or works that may not be your best. Those are the things that will mold you into the person and artist that you want to be. To say that every project should be perfect and polished is foolish. Growth is incredibly crucial to life's journey and I think that Damned Rites encapsulates that both in front of and behind the camera.
Ethan R. Hill
Music
Music has been in my life for as long as I can remember, even longer than film. Whether it's been listening to or playing music, it surrounded me from many generations of my family. Some of my earliest memories involve my mother playing piano, my granny playing the accordion and my father sing along to Dean Martin CD's as he woke us up for church and school. I joined in on many different facets of musical expression over the years, exploring different sounds and genres as I grew. Rock and metal were probably the most frequent genres I spent my time with when I was younger, however I can't deny the impact that movie soundtracks and scores also had in shaping me. Over the years I've grown to appreciate and love more types of music than those, but those early doses of music always stay with me.Music is such an important part of, not just movies, but life as well. My love for both film and music have finally met at a crossroads where I am able to express myself not just through visuals but through sound as well.
Music Scores
If I Had An Orange For Every Person In The Room
If I Had An Orange was the first chance that I had to get to play with doing multiple tracks for a project. Finding the right sound for each scene and tying them all together into one cohesive album was a challenge but was so rewarding. I learned so much from this one project and have been using that knowledge on projects going forward.Some of my personal favourite tracks from this album are: the Main Theme, Where Has The Time Gone, The Reset Lullaby and Time To Go.
The Hunter
Directed by Jesse Prosser, this was a short he shot completely on his own when he was in college. One he finished it I asked if he would take a chance on letting me write the score for it. He graciously agreed.I approached this with a sense of minimalism and atmosphere. My largest influence on the sound for this track would be from Ennio Morricone
3:06
Directed by Jesse Prosser this was meant to be a part of a larger anthology project that never came to light. It was my very first time writing and recording any music for an actual release. It was a huge learning curve for me but it was so worth the challenge.Synth forward electronic soundtracks from 80's horror movies really were the main inspirations for this, mainly Creepshow.
Ethan R. Hill
More Fun
Colour Correction
The world of post is not my favourite place to play, however I’ve found a few things that I do love. The main one being colour correction. I love finding a films look, the one that helps pull the whole thing together and polishes it off. There’s a certain satisfaction to fixing something that just wasn’t right on the day, creating seemless looks between shots and giving a film the right vibe.
Poster Design
I hate marketing when it comes to creative endeavours. It's just not my strength or something I like to put my energy into. BUT I love movie posters. I think finding the right piece of art that can tell the story of your project is so important. Below is a gallery of the art work I have created. My main medium is photoshop, thought I would like to expand back into hand painting at some point.
Piper's Ghost
Like what you see? Contact me for more!
If I Had An Orange For Every Person In The Room
Like what you see? Contact me for more!
Damned Rites
Like what you see? Contact me for more!
Piper's Ghost
About the Film
Piper sets out to make the perfect ghost effect for her next stage show. Will she succeed or will the results be ghastly?
Piper needs a ghost for her newest theatre show and not just any ghost will do. While her best friend and stage mananger, Nancy, tries to keep her on track, Piper begins to isolate herself and search solutions in all the wrong places.Can Nancy pull Piper out of her spiral or will Piper succumb to the path she set herself on?
Piper's Ghost is a cautionary tale. It asks how far you are willing to go to pursue your goals? What lines will you cross, what sacrifices you'll make and what strain your pursuit can put on you and those in your life?These are the questions we should be asking ourselves when we chase was we want in our lives. They help us realize the boundaries we need to set up for ourselves and others, and the boundaries we are willing to cross.
Media
The Crew
This wonderful group of people came together from both the independent and union world to build this project together. These skilled individuals brought their positive attitudes and unique talents that brought this short from script to screen. This project would not have been possible without each and every one of them.
Top and Bottom Picture (L-R) : top row - Trent Asher (Locations Manager), Danika Roland (2nd AD), Aisling McCullagh (Production Assistant), Sarah Thirkell (Camera Operator), Reese Bourdon (Assistant Special FX); middle row - Gunnar Olsen (Sound),
Justin R. Foreman (Art Director), Bethany Dierdorff (Hair/Make-up/Costumes), Brenna Murray (Assisant Locations Manager/Props),
Mason Purnell (Producer), Hannah Yurub (Piper), Dani Welsh (Nancy); bottom row - Elias Stang (2nd Assistant Camera),
Jesse Prosser (Producer), Umesh Thamotharam (Cinematographer), Ethan R. Hill (Director), Ryan Hunter (1st Assistant Director),
Kaitlin Bishop (Stills Photographer), Thomas Lubig (Gaffer); Not Pictured - Kevin Rottaris (Special Effects), Lucas Lyons (Key Grip)
About the Writer/Director
Originally from Saskatchewan, ETHAN R. HILL has been making movies in Alberta for the past 10 years. Following his life long dream of being a writer, director and producer, Ethan has been working tirelessly at perfecting his craft, taking each project as a way to learn and hone his skills.Piper's Ghost is his first solo outing as a director since graduating film school. He has written the last few projects he has made with collaborator Jesse Prosser.Piper's Ghost started as a desire to make something based around the Pepper's Ghost, one of Ethan's favourite special effects. That grain of an idea evolved into a story about the artists struggle for perfection.It's an important subject that needs to be discussed more among us artists. Perfection is great in theory but the imperfections are what make us human.
About the Cast
Dani Welsh as Nancy
Dani Welsh is a trained actor and voice actor best known for playing caring, quirky, and intelligent characters. She’s proud of being an ikkyu in Chito-Ryu, a form of karate that she has trained in since 2009.Welsh has studied at Vancouver Film School for 16 months, and she’s worked in the industry for over 5 years.When she’s not auditioning, Welsh is known to volunteer with local and international theatres and film productions as an Acting and Dialogue Coach. She also loves relaxing with her cat Smokey.Director's Note: Dani came into the project with a bang, showing up at the very last minute to throw her hat in the ring to play Nancy. At her first meeting with me and the other producers she won us over with both her acting and stunning personality. We were so lucky to have her on the project and can't wait to work on more in the future.
Hannah Yurub as Piper
Hannah Yurub is a Somali-Canadian actress, writer, and model with a background in theatre and short film. She completed her training at New Image College in Vancouver, BC, where she studied acting, scene study, and movement.Director's Note: Hannah embodied every ounce of Piper and it showed from her first self tape. Her absurd sense of humour made her fit in immediately with the rest of the production. She unpacked so much from Piper that I hadn't even thought of myself, truly cementing herself as not just the character but a part of myself as well. I can't wait to see where her acting journey takes her and hope that we can convince her to join for more projects to come.
About The Producers
Sometimes you need a firm hand, a strong will and a great mind to make a movie happen. In spite of these three being none of those, Piper's Ghost happened anyways.Jesse and Ethan are long time collaborators and friends, having made Damned Rites (2019), If I Had An Orange... (2025) and Waning Love (2026) together. They met Mason while working on set and became fast friends. When Mason heard they had something in the works he offered his knowledge and passion to the project and he was welcomed with open arms. They brought the pieces of the project together as one cohesive unit.
Ethan R. Hill
Mason Purnell
Jesse Prosser
Lights, Camera, Action!
These are the people who helped capture not just our ghost but our whole vibe and look of the film. Lead by cinematographer UMESH THAMOTHARAM, our small team of dedicated camera folk worked like a well oiled machine The creativity and passion really shined throug has we moved at a quick pace, with the limited time we had in the theatre.Additionally our lighting and grip department was even smaller. Operating with just our gaffer and key grip, we also came to depend on anyone who had a free set of hands to help out where they needed.All the while capture some amazing photos and behind the scenes images was KAITLIN BISHOP, whose work you’ve been enjoying this whole time.
The Team
Umesh Thamotharam - Jesse Prosser (Cam Op) - Sarah Thirkell (Cam Op)
Elias Stang (Cam Assist) - Thomas Lubig (Gaffer) - Lucas Lyons (Key Grip)
Kaitlin Bishop (Stills Photographer) - Gunnar Olsen (Sound)
Aisling McCullagh (Production Assistant)
Director's Note: Every one of our crew members, from camera to sound added so much depth to this project. There were always smiling faces somewhere to be found even when the pressure was on and tensions were high. I cannot wait for a chance to pull this crew together again for another mad cap adventure!
Keeping Us On Schedule
We would have been absolutely lost without our AD team. RYAN HUNTER fearlessly lead our way through the chaotic schedule and changes that needed to happen at any given moment. Without him and his 2nd, DANIKA ROLAND there would have been many more headaches for us. They ran a smooth and steady ship while helping the project come together neatly.
Hair, Make Up & Costumes
BETHANY DIERDORFF is a powerhouse when it comes to hair, make up and costumes. She took care of the hair and make up for both our cast and built the costumes for them out of found items from the cast’s personal wardrobe.Beth met director, Ethan R. Hill, and cinematographer, Umesh Thamotharam at a local film meet up where they became fast friends. Previously she worked with them on the independent short HOUSE OF PAIN (dir. Justin R. Foreman), where she acted alongside Ethan in the cast.Beth is currently working towards becoming a licensed hair dresser.
The Ghost
We wanted to take as practical of an approach to the ghost effect as possible. In early discussion we even mused about doing it entirely with a Pepper's Ghost. However due to time and money constraints we landed on compositing instead. BETH AND ETHAN designed the ghost and built different aspects of the effect. Beth took care of the costume and make up for both herself and the puppet we used for the wider shots and flying bits. Ethan constructed the puppet from scratch. Combining these elements with JESSE PROSSER'S stunning VFX work led to the desired effect we were chasing after.
Special Effects
Our special effects team and fabricators built some really great stuff for our show. The took care of the construction and operation of Piper's machine, bringing her hard work to life. They also contributed to the in camera ghost effects, such as papers flying around and lights going out. Their hard work helped make the ghost an, ironically, more tangible presence in the film.
Locations
The film was shot entirely in Alberta, Canada, in the cities of Airdrie and Calgary. Alberta has so many unique spaces available to film at that are characters unto themselves and can define a whole project just by their look and feel.
The theatre location was filmed at the Beddington Theatre and Arts Centre in Calgary. It was an absolute pleasure working with them to allow us the maximum time to capture our film, all while working around their other many events going on at the time. Their support of the arts was extra encouraging to being around and the building and staff had such a creative energy around them that it only elevated the feeling of ingenuity as we constructed our movie.
Piper's house was actually the Degenstein's house, graciously provided by friends of the director. They were almost too generous to our crew, allowing us to have run of their house for a full day of filming. They have always been supportive of Ethan and his projects and he would not be where he is without them. Having a house already lived in and loved helped it feel like a place that Piper and Nancy have spend much of their time building their friendship over the years.
Our locations team consisted of TRENT ASHER as Locations Manager and Brenna Murray as Assistant Locations Manager. Trent was a huge asset in scouting and putting us into contact with the Theatre and Arts Centre. He did all this while living 3 hours away from the city. Brenna was there to escort us on a locations scout as well as babysitting the crew while we shot there. She also filled in and helped us with set dec, props, and anything else that we needed an extra set of hands with.
Music
Ethan R. Hill not only wrote and directed the movie but he also wrote the musical score. Music played such an important part in the project, enhancing the emotions and characters to highlight where they are in their journey.But Ethan didn't have to write the music alone. For one of the tracks he got to work with someone he wanted to collaborate with his whole life, his mother, Wendy Hill. She provided the piano playing on the final track of the film, one that completely encompasses the sorrow and sombre tone of the film while highlighting the beauty.
Stills & Posters
