Stories Worth Exploring
Some stories deserve more than a few minutes.
We create short and feature-length documentaries that explore the experiences that shape people’s lives—the struggles, relationships, and moments that change who we become.
Our films combine intimate interviews, observational filmmaking, archival material, natural sound, and cinematic imagery.
We aren’t looking for perfectly rehearsed answers.
We’re looking for moments that are honest.
Because that’s usually where the story lives.
Selected Films
UPSTROKE: ONE RIDE CHANGED EVERYTHING
One motorcycle ride changed everything.
Upstroke follows Shayne’s journey through catastrophic injury, stroke, and rehabilitation—and the difficult process of rebuilding a life that suddenly looked very different.
A documentary about disability, recovery, family, identity, and discovering what comes next.
THE SCAR
Sometimes a scar tells a much bigger story than what we can see.
The Scar is an intimate short documentary exploring Benjilynn’s experience with cancer, multiple surgeries, and the physical and emotional marks left behind.
A story about survival, vulnerability, and learning to see the scars differently.
HER CHAIR
After years of cancer treatment, surgeries, and recovery, Benjilynn returns to the hairstyling chair where conversations, relationships, and purpose have always been about much more than hair.
Her Chair explores what happens when someone returns not simply to work, but to a part of themselves they thought they might have lost.
IN DEVELOPMENT
BENJILYNN: A DOCUMENTARY
An intimate documentary exploring Benjilynn's journey through cancer, treatment, multiple surgeries, and recovery.
Through personal reflections and honest conversations, the film explores the physical and emotional challenges of serious illness, the impact on family and relationships, and the resilience required to rebuild a life after cancer.
A personal story about survival, identity, love, and finding a way forward.
IN DEVELOPMENT
The Art Of Visual Storytelling
A powerful documentary is more than an interview.
It’s the quiet moments between conversations. The details that reveal someone’s world. The places, expressions, and experiences that help an audience feel connected to the story.
At Upstroke Media, we combine authentic interviews with thoughtful cinematography, natural sound, and carefully crafted imagery to bring those stories to life.
Every frame has a purpose.
Every image helps tell the story.
Why UpStroke Media
Our perspective behind the camera has been shaped by our own experiences with disability, serious illness, caregiving, and recovery.
Those experiences have taught us patience. They’ve taught us to listen. And they’ve taught us that sometimes the most important part of someone’s story isn’t immediately obvious.
That perspective shapes the way we approach the people who trust us with their stories.
We create conversations rather than rehearsed interviews.
People don’t need to be professional speakers.
They don’t need scripts.
They simply need the opportunity to tell their story.
Have a Story Worth Telling?
Let’s start with a conversation.
Some documentary ideas arrive almost fully formed. Others begin with nothing more than a person and the feeling that there’s something important in their story.
Whether your idea is for a short film or a feature documentary, we’d love to hear about it.
Shayne & Benjilynn
Upstroke Media
