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Stephanie Alton

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Stephanie Alton was born in St. Paul, MN, but for a number of years has resided in Montana.  Over the years, she has lived a life of extreme diversity, working in New York City as well as teaching and living in an Athabaskan Indian village  in Alaska.  She thrives on learning about the diversities in all walks of life, and it is in this realm of cultural differences that she finds the inspiration for her art.  Her work addresses retelling narratives anew to enhance and broaden understanding among communities and cultures.

Alton received her MFA from Pratt Institute, studying photography under Philip Perkis and Arthur Freed.  She also studied film at New York University.  Her documentary short, Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds, is award winning nationally and internationally. Alton's photo collages have been published at the Center on Contemporary Art in Seattle. She is in the Alaska Permanent Collection.  Alton's documentary, "Ridin' for the Brand", is distributed by Dark Hollow Films and has been shown on Montana PBS.  

 

Resume

Resume

Stephanie Alton

www.stephaniealton.com

www.bornoftheice.com

www.yupiit.com

www.ridinforthebrandthemovie.com 

                                                                                                                    

Education

Post Graduate Film Certificate New York University, Film School, New York,  NY 1994.

M.F.A. Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. Photography 1992.

B.F.A. Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA. Photography 1989.

 

Grants, Funding, & Scholarships 

2024- Born of the Ice experimental art/ short documentary, Director.

2012- Kickstarter recipient of  $20,000 post -production for "Ridin' for the Brand" 

2000-Alaska Council on the Arts, artist grant

1994- Memorial Sloan Kettering, Scholarship to New York University, Film School

2021- Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds ethnographic/art/documentary short-Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Researcher, Editor, Soundperson.

2014 “Ridin’ for the Brand” documentary- Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Researcher, Editor, Soundperson

 

Educational Distributor

Dark Hollow Films Distributing films around to the Nation's Universities and Colleges and high schools 2012- Present.

Collections:  “Ridin’ for the Brand” documentary

2015-2016

PBS Montana

Hamilton Library Hamilton, MT

Stevens Library Stevens, MT

2014

Williams College, MA 

University of Michigan MI

University of Windsor, Canada

Boise State, ID 

Arizona State 

Middle Tennessee State University 

University of Las Vegas 

Hudson Valley Community College 

University of Oregon Law 

University of Lethbridge, Canada 

Eastern Washington University 

McGill University 

Longmont

Texas A&M University

UC Davis 

Southern Utah University 

Sandals Community College 

University Nebraska Lincoln 

Stratford Thompson Public Library 

2013

Keene State College, NH 

University of Wyoming 

Northland Pioneer, AZ 

Texas State San Marcos, TX 

University Texas San Antonio 

Miles Community College, MT 

College of Wooster, OH 

University of Montana 

Busch New York 

Austin Community College 

University College of North, Canada 

University of Tennessee 

Virginia Tech 

South Dakota State 

Western State, Colorado 

Purdue University 

University of New England 

Action Library: CA

University of Texas 

 

Freelance 

Film and Video

2014  - Director of Photography, Editor: Laundry for Strangers Kickstarter campaign. 

2014 - Director, Director of Photography, & Editor: Dink Inc. Spot.

2008 - Sound Person, Butte Project, documentary/Producer Patrick Markey, digital video.

2001 - Director of Photography:  Dancing on the Moon, independent feature film, digital video.

2000 - Director, Producer, Director of Photography:  Raven's Flight, short film, 16mm.

1996 - Director, Producer, Director of Photography:  Image Myths, 16mm short.

1995 - Director, Producer, Director of Photography:  A Fleeting Pulse, 16mm short, 

1991 - Director, Producer, Director of Photography:  Until the End, video short.

1994 - Director of Photography:  Set It Up, 4-2-1, 16mm music video.

2001 - Camera Operator:  Eskimo Indian Olympics, broadcast.

2000 - Camera Operator:  Qayaqs and Canoes, Discovery Channel and Alaska Heritage Center.

2000 - Camera Operator:  Subsistence Camps of the Alutiiq, Chugach Muit Foundation.

2000 - Camera Operator:  We the People March, live broadcast.

2000 - Camera Operator:  Ride for Aids, documentary.

2001 - First Assistant Cameraman:  Special Olympics in Alaska, 16mm.

2001 - First Assistant Cameraman:  Commercial, Sprockett Heads, 16mm.

2000 – First Assistant Cameraman:  scenic for Discovery Channel,  16mm.

1996 – First Assistant Cameraman:  La Belle Vie commercial, 35mm.

1996 – Camera and Electric:  Victor Independent film. D.P. Kramer Morganthau.

1995 – First Assistant Cameraman: Casio OV, Young Rubican commercial, 16mm.

1994 – Second Assistant Cameraman:  Search and Destroy:  second unit, Producer Martin Scorsese, 16mm.

1999 - First Assistant Cameraman:  Alaska State Fair Commercial, Director Shawn Morris, 16mm.

1997 - First Assistant Cameraman:  SHOA, Video taped interviews, Producer Stephen Spielberg.

1997 – Loader:  Rosala, music video, D.P. Mike Spiller 35mm.

2000 - Sound Person:  Pamyua documentary for Kids Discovery Program.

2000 - Sound Person:  Discovery Wings Channel, documentary.

2000 - Sound Person:  Winter Warriors, A&E History Channel.

2000 - Sound Person:  Alaskan Pipeline, documentary for Discovery.

1999 - Sound Person:  Extra "Whittier, Alaska" T.V. program.

1999 - Sound Person:  Yukon Watershed Program, documentary.

 

 

Artist, Photographer & Designer

2018 –19- Photographer for Montana Ballet Company

2023- Web Designer stephaniealton.com website.

2020 – Web Designer stephaniealton.com website.

2020 – Web Designer yupiit.com website.

2016 - Web Designer Kayak Baja website.

2015 – Web Designer Turn it up Technologies website.

2015 – Web Designer Broadus Montana website.

2015 – Web Designer ridinforthebrandthemovie.com website.

2014 - Photo Assistant:  Cindy Goeddel, Bozeman, MT (wildlife-

photography) www.goeddelphotography.com.

1999-2000 - Photo Assistant:  Greg Martin Fairbanks, AK (commercial and advertising.

1999-2000 Photo Assistant:  Randy Brandon Girdwood, AK (commercial and advertising photography).

1997-1998 - Photo Assistant: Ian Tong New York, (fashion photographer) www.iantong.com.

1995-1996 - Photo Assistant:  Douglas Faulkner (underwater photographer) New York, NY www.daumanpictures.com/gallery/faulkner/.

1991-1993 - Photo Assistant:  Dennis Chalkin (illustrative and food photography) New York, NY www.chalkinstudio.com.

1991-1995 - Photo Assistant:  David McNamara (commercial, fashion, illustrative photography) New York, NY www.davidmcnamaraphotography.com.

1991-1995 – Photo Assistant: Brad Guice (fashion and editorial photography) New York, NY. 

1991-1995 – Photo Assistant: Alan Kaplan (fashion photography) New York, NY.

1991-1995 – Photo Assistant: Eric Jacabson (food photography) New York, NY.

1990 - Photo Assistant:  Michael Watson (still life, architectural photography) New York, NY.

 

Academic Positions

Artist in Residence: Video Production Class through BBRCTE, Alaska, 2023.

Artist in Residence: Video Editing through BBRCTE, Alaska 2023.

Adjunct Professor:  Basics of Videography at Univ. Fairbanks, AK 2002.

Artist in Residence:  Black and White Photography at Minto Public School, AK 2001-02.

Artist in Residence:  Pinhole photography at Minto Public School, AK 2001.

 

Guest Lecturer

Cambridge University, UK lecture about the making of “Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” 2022.

Montana Heritage Center lecture about the making of “Ridin’ for the Brand” 2021.

Centre for Learning and Teaching of the Vocational Training in Hong Kong, Pre-Production and Post Production for Directors and Producers.  October 9, 6 hr. class 2019.

Pacific Lutheran University for B&W Photography, Color Photography and Digital Photography February 18-19, 2015 - Oct.11, 2016.

 

Film Juror

Anchorage International Film Festival 2023.

 

Filmography

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Bozeman International Film Festival Winner Best in Traditions Film Bozeman, MT 2023.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Native Spirit Film Festival Cambridge Univ. Cambridge, UK 2022.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Sarasota Native American Film Festival Sarasota, FL 2022.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Minneapolis, MN 2022.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” American Documentary and Animation Film Festival Palm Springs, CA 2022.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Dreamz Catcher Winner Best Indigenous Film Kolkata, West Bengal India 2022

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Santa Fe Film Festival  Santa Fe, NM, Winner Best Short Doc Feb.2022.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Western Canadian International Film Festival Best Original Music Jan. 2022.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Red Dirt Film Festival, Stillwater, OK, Short Doc Apr. 2022.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” IndiFest Film Awards Winner Best American Native Film La Jolla, CA, Dec. 2021.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Anchorage International Film Festival  Anchorage, AK,  Dec.2021.

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” Video Art and Experimental Film Festival NY, NY, Honorable Mention Nov. 2021. 

“Yupiit: Eye of Both Worlds” American Indian Film Festival  San Francisco , CA, Nov. 2021.

“Ridin’ for the Brand” Documentary

PBS Montana 2014-present.

Phillips Exeter Academy New Hampshire 2014.

PBS Montana 2014-16.

Livingston Film Festival Shane Center Livingston, MT 2014.

Myrna Loy Theater Helena, MT Oct. 2013 and May 2014 

Emerson Theater Bozeman, MT 2014.

Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering Elko, NV 2014.

Choteau Community Center, Choteau, MT  2014.

Big Timber Theater, Big Timber, MT 2013.

 

“Raven’s Flight” Short Film

Culture Unplugged www.cultureunplugged Maharashtra, India, Menlo Park, CA, Auckland, New Zealand 2001.

Woodstock Film Festival, 2001.

Anchorage Film Festival, 2001.

Denver International Film Festival, 2001.

Festival Arcipelago, Rome, Italy 2001.

Tresses En Vues "Land Insights", Quebec, Canada 2001.

Martha's Vineyard Film Festival, MA 2001.

Earth Day Celebration, San Fran., Vancouver, Mexico, City, Los Angeles, Madrid 2001.

Florida Seminole Film Festival, 2000.

Santa Fe Film Festival, 2000.

New York Native American Film Festival, 2000.

Global Visions Film Festival, 2000.

 

Art Exhibitions

Cushing Terrel Design Firm One-man show, Bozeman, MT 2024 

Dana Gallery Group showing mixed media, Missoula, MT 2021

Center of Contemporary Art Group showing digital photography, Seattle, WA 2018.

Hamilton Library Hamilton, MT  “Ridin’ for the Brand” documentary 2016

Phillips Exeter Academy New Hampshire "Ridin' for the Brand" documentary 2014.

Filipino Photo Relief Fund Bell Town Tavern, Seattle 2014

Planet Bronze Gallery Group Showing mixed media, Bozeman, MT 2013.

Planet Bronze Group Showing mixed media, Bozeman, MT  2013 

Head West group showing mixed media, Bozeman, MT 2011.

Livingston Bar and Grille One Person Exhibition photographic collages, Livingston Bar and Grille Livingston, MT  2011. 

Northwest Women group show, photography, Wiseman Gallery Seattle, WA  2002.

State of Alaska, photo collage, Permanent Collection, 2001.

Alaska Positive 2000, photography group show, traveling show 2000.

Dia de los Muertos, group show,  photographic collages, Bunell Street Gallery Homer, AK 2001.

Ptarmigan Arts Gallery One Person Exhibition, photographic collages, Homer, AK 2001.

MFA show One Person Exhibition, color photography, Pratt Institute May 1992.

BFA show One Person Exhibition, photographic collages, Pacific Lutheran Univ. May 1989.

 

Publications & Reviews

New York Times Upfront photo published in the magazine May 5, 2023.

Center of Contemporary Art photo collages have published in a book. 2018

American Cowboy Magazine "Western Documentaries" Feb./Mar. 2014

Honorable Mention in Best of College Photography Nationally 1989.

Traveler Magazine essay on Cortez, CO. Spring 1997

Various Medical Journals and books for Cytology and Pathology through Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer 1992-1995.

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