Mike – Hence Creative

Mike Call

EXPERT

Film

The mountains have always been a source of inspiration, action, and solitude. Rock climbing was the thing that connected with when it was just a weird thing to do, and I started shooting my friends on my dad’s Hi-8 Sony Handycam.

Eventually I realized it was a way to create and stay in the mountains. For both paid work, and for my own creative urges.

I’ve since done dozens of climbing films, started the first online video magazine (then two more after that), pre-YouTube.

Got really lucky to shoot on feature films with Oscar winners Danny Boyle and Barbara Kopple, worked on episodic series for HBO and Discovery, shot and edited feature documentaries and commercials, directed mini docs for brands, artsy short films and narrative films, and keep shooting climbing because I just can’t quit my first love.

Home Base: Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Languages: English

Top Clients:

HBO, Ralph Lauren, Apple/DJI Mavic, Black Diamond Equipment, UPROXX, Red Bull, The North Face

Mike Call’s creative vision transcends the lens, and in fact, begins in the mountains. His ability to capture the essence of the climbing life is unique because it’s through the eyes of someone who has lived it.

Chris Parker

Head of branded content for Black Diamond Equipment

Photo: BooneSpeed

Shooting documentaries was my film school. I learned to shoot, direct and edit. I tend to approach shoots from a holistic POV. Editing informed my shots, directing helped my shooting. I love the process of going from an idea to a finished piece. I think film is my favorite art form and I’m grateful to be able to do it.

Career Highlights

Years of Experience

250+

Editorial and Commercial Assignments

Director's Selection for Mountainfilm "The Artist" 2021

Video Magazines founded (pre-youtube)

YouTube views (probably more if you count all the stuff posted by randos)

Experience

Feature Film/Series Camera Operator "127 Hours" "Point Break" "The Climb"

Climb

12/2016
Director of Photography. "From the Ground Up."

ClimbMountaineering

05/2023
Produced, directed and filmed 14 feature climbing films.

ClimbMountaineering

12/2023
Worked with 3 Oscar Winning Directors

12/2023

Awards and
Recognition

20210523

Official Selection, Mountainfilm 2021 “The Artist”

20080917

Cameraman on Emmy award winning film “King Lines”

Improvisation inside well laid plans. Shooting "127 Hours" with movie heroes Danny Boyle and Anthony Dodd Mantle.

Shooting “127 Hours” with movie heroes Danny Boyle and Anthony Dodd Mantle felt like a documentary in many ways, Danny’s ideas popping up and asking us to find a way. I was brought in for shots like this, but he asked me to pick up shots that they just didn’t have time for in the schedule. I was a bonus DP that he would send off with a shot list an i’d do my best to deliver him good shots. You knew he liked the shot when he giggled looking at dailies.