Instagram story viewer> @joshlunden> Posts

Josh Lunden

@joshlunden

901

followers

786

following

filmmaker / your Jewish friend

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

In the dark times
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will also be singing.
About the dark times.
-Brecht

2025 was a rough year for the world, but a remarkable year for movies. There was definitely something in the air. So many of the year’s great films seemed obsessed by the same ideas, whether it was societal schisms, conspiracy capture (real and imagined), modern isolation, or using genre conventions to reckon with or recontextualize our demons. (Maybe the vampires have a point.) It was a year of mad ambitions, cinematic dice rolling, and formally idiosyncratic invention. A lot of fresh air to breathe—and with political realities around the world being a funhouse mirror and the AI-humping ghouls at the gates, these films were consistently revitalizing. Anyway, here is my list of the 2025 films I think are most worth your valuable time and attention. Apologies to Payakan. by @joshlunden

28

11

9 months ago

The Fellowship of “The Ring” by @joshlunden

33

1

a year ago

7 days, 5 locations, 3 campaigns. From warm sets to Oregon forests with sideways rain. Thank you as always to our mighty crew for being so cool, talented, and indefatigable. 🎥♥️ by @joshlunden

54

3

a year ago

Excellent weekend in Seattle celebrating the release of the @jasondroark-lensed documentary @thediamondkingmovie (directed by Marq Evans). Saw a Mariners game where total legend John Ortiz threw out the first pitch and then watched the game with us. (His charm and cool exceeded expectations.) Saw some horrid fish demons. Got to hang out with @erikdwallin and @brittanynicolewa. Then watched the film on the big screen at @mopopseattle. A good time all around.

You can rent or buy “The Diamond King” on most major platforms now. ⚾️👑 taken in T-Mobile Park by @joshlunden

35

2

a year ago

This weekend I obtained one of my grail posters. And there’s a bit of a fun backstory. Drew Struzan is one of the greatest movie poster artists to ever do it. Even if you don’t know his name, you likely know his iconic work. Back in 2006, Guillermo del Toro commissioned Struzan to create the one-sheet art for “Pan’s Labyrinth.” However, most people would never see this key art because the American distributor chose to go with a blander photoshop job for the official poster seen in cinemas. Struzan’s art would ultimately be used for the soundtrack album, but it never made it to any home video covers or even any commercially available posters. This disturbed me because when I finally discovered it, I immediately considered it one of the most beautiful pieces of key art I’d ever seen, and maybe my favorite work of Struzan’s. It perfectly captures the soul, as well as the core emotional complications and contradictions, of “Pan’s Labyrinth” better than anything else being used to represent the film. The framework, the spiraling labyrinth in the background, the way the Faun emerges from the roots to both comfort and engulf Ofelia. Chilling and perfect. I quickly became obsessed with obtaining a print. Eventually I found what I hoped was Struzan’s real email and took a chance. To my great surprise, he actually responded to me. It was a generous and sweet email that thanked me for my appreciation and interest, but he explained that he didn’t have the rights to sell any prints and that the original painted version was, of course, hanging in Guillermo del Toro’s house. So, with that, I gave up my search and just printed Struzan’s email because ohmygod totally meet your heroes! Cut to…fuck…nearly twenty years later and a small gallery in Texas partnered with Struzan to make some prints of his rarer work available. And now one of my absolute favorite pieces of Motion Picture Art hangs in my office, signed by the master himself. “It’s not just an ad…it’s the first notes of the piece; it’s the beginning of the story.” – Michael J. Fox by @joshlunden

53

4

2 years ago

It has been my absolute privilege to work with @thecarlarossi for many years filming and editing the @queerhorrorpdx live shows, as well as several of Anthony’s other singular endeavors. (Enjoy some favorite photos over the years above.) The Queer Horror series celebrated its 10th anniversary last weekend, which was a bittersweet moment, as Anthony announced QH would be taking a hiatus. Anthony’s work made me a true believer from the jump. The world, now more than ever, needs personal and political art, especially in communal offline spaces—and all the better if it’s driven by a chaotic trickster drag clown, soaring musical numbers, and buckets of fake blood. Deep love and admiration to the whole Queer Horror team and all the beautiful performers who’ve joined Carla Rossi on stage over the years. And special shout to @jasondroark who has partnered with me to capture all these shows since the beginning. taken in The Hollywood Theatre by @joshlunden

83

4

2 years ago

As always, this is simply a list of films from the year that I think are worth your valuable attention. I did write about many of these, but because I still stubbornly refuse to use Letterboxd, those reviews have disappeared into the Instagram stories ether. Always happy to explain myself and to hear your thoughts—even if you want to yell at me about “Wicked” and/or “The Substance.” Also, I have not been able to see the new Almodovar film yet, which would have undoubtedly made this list because I would watch him direct traffic. by @joshlunden

45

8

2 years ago

Another commercial wrapped, but instead of my usual gratitude post, I wanted to address something a bit different. Without going into specifics, we had a couple of non-production-related emergencies on this one that required the crew to step up in a way that is unusual. And, of course, they did so with courage, patience, and grace. I couldn’t be more proud to work with this group of genuinely good people, and couldn’t be more in awe of how they take care of one another. Thank you all. ❤️🎥

On a lighter note, when I told 1st AC @gabe_twigg that for this commercial we needed to shoot on iPhone as B cam and that it had to quickly go from vertical to horizontal and send feed to client monitor, he built me and DP @jasondroark a Frankenstein’s Dreamboat. Check out slide 2 to see the build.

Agency: @pollinateagency
Creative Director: @laura_suths
Copywriter: @sfeeny
Art Director: @lauralewbeedoo
Producer/Production Manager: @kylethomaseaton
Producers: @morgymango, @casey_kromer
Director: 👋🏻
AD: @casey_kromer
DP: @jasondroark
1st AC: @gabe_twigg
Photographer: @brianlincoln
Gaffer: @kenlriddle
Key Grip: @brynden
Grip: @shotzinky
Production Designer: @d.a.v.i.d.s.t.o.r.m
Lead Art Dept: @budwilsonjr
Set Dresser: @mrrfskrrt
Art Asst: Aidan Foren
HMUA: @allaboutevewhite, @makeupbysaradickman
Wardrobe Stylist: @eulaliewelsh
Wardrobe Asst: @j.ll.anrose
PAs: Heather Tayte, @jarenkerrmedia
Camera Support: @lensmonger
G&E Support: @gearheadgrip

(Apologies if I missed anyone) by @joshlunden

706

6

2 years ago

There are very few people on this planet I would wake up at 5:30am for. My young friend @_thelilcrow is one of them. I’ve been working with and photographing Lily since her very first headshots when she was a literal kid. She’s now approaching college and pursing serious-sounding science. She’s brilliant and I couldn’t be more proud to know her. So a few weeks ago when she requested senior photos in nature and at golden hour, HMUA @allaboutevewhite and I answered the call. When we got to the location, it was misty and positively Soviet, so Lily humored me by throwing on an emergency blanket I keep in my car and letting me take these glorious Tarkovsky shots before we did the proper senior photos. I’ll let her post the real photos with all their autumnal splendor…but here’s the gloomy good stuff.  

📷 Fujifilm X100VI and Sony A7RV by @joshlunden

55

4

2 years ago

Forgot to include this photo of @gabe_twigg (1st AC) and @mayajlincoln (Media Manager) in my last post. Two of the best being excellent. 🫡 by @joshlunden

44

0

2 years ago

I’m sure you’re bored of me repeating myself on here with these sentimental thank you posts, but TOO FUCKING BAD! We just wrapped and I’m really tired and emotional!!! I truly value the people I’m lucky enough to work with and while I hope I’ve told every single one of you that to your face, I’ll tell you again here. I love being in the circus with all of you. These productions are always a heavy lift and I’m so grateful to have so many collaborators across all departments helping to distribute that impossible load. Though not everyone was on this shoot, I love that we have a team that now goes back years—and I love that we’re still adding new friends to the fold. (You can never leave!) I respect the hell out of all of you. You elevate the work, regardless of the project. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🎥❤️

Agency: @pollinateagency
Creative Director: @laura_suths
Copywriter: @sfeeny
Design: @lauralewbeedoo
Producer/Production Manager: @kylethomaseaton
Producers: @morgymango, @casey_kromer
Cast: @holdforrebranding, @maryc.parker, @jerilynsophia, Billy Boudavong, @princeoffashionn, @robynn.ha, @q6talent
Director: 👋🏻
AD: @morgymango
DP: @jasondroark
Camera Operator: @julie.nhem
1st AC: @gabe_twigg
2nd AC: @loganlaurian
Media Manager: @mayajlincoln
Key Grip/Gaffer: @kenlriddle
Gaffer: Rizall Hosek
Electric Best: Andy Barden
Grip Best: Joe Tinko
Production Designer: @d.a.v.i.d.s.t.o.r.m
Lead Art Dept: Nate Smith
Set Dresser: Murphy Welch
Art Assist: Davis Longeren
HMUA: @allaboutevewhite
Wardrobe: @erintoft.artistries
PAs: @taylorkallnischkies, @_rubymarshall
Photographer: @brianlincoln
Camera Support: @lensmonger
G&E Support: @gearheadgrip
Studio: @desertislandstudiospdx

(Apologies if I missed anyone) by @joshlunden

77

4

2 years ago

Many months ago, we were asked to create a series of promotional videos for the legendary @rosecityrollers. We being producer @mrscottfox, DP @jasondroark and gaffer @kenlriddle. We spent a day filming with these incredible athletes and captured some dynamic footage. This is one of several videos we cut that are now appearing across social and Hulu and the like. Having never really directed athletes before and knowing approximately fuck all about sports, I want to thank the team for playing along with my outsider direction and awkward scenarios—and for trusting me that they would in fact “look cool.” Huge shoutout to @mutchmayhem who walked me through all the moves we were capturing and for choreographing all the actual “in-game” shots. And special thanks to @rocketmean for inviting us into the RCR world. 💜

The main aim of these videos is to promote the upcoming WFTDA Global Championships that will be happening in Portland in November. It’s going to be huge, so get your tickets now! wftda.com by @joshlunden

61

4

2 years ago