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Truen Pence
Filmmaker
Truen Pence is a freelance filmmaker and director based in Portland, Oregon.23 He is the Principal at Stay True Productions, a company he founded that specializes in film and commercial production.24
Pence's background is in fine arts, but he transitioned into filmmaking through design, motion graphics, and experimentation with stop-motion photography.5 His passion for storytelling and interesting subjects led him to build a small production company with friends, focusing on creating short films and commercials.4
As a documentary filmmaker, Pence views documentaries as a way to live vicariously through his subjects.1 He emphasizes the importance of thorough research and preparation before filming, advising filmmakers to learn about their subjects in order to ask informed questions.1
In his work, Pence advocates for shooting in RAW format with the highest resolution possible to ensure better quality and flexibility in post-production.1 He also recommends capturing extensive footage, as it allows for more creative freedom during the editing process.1
Pence's approach to filmmaking is characterized by curiosity and a willingness to ask seemingly obvious questions, which he believes helps in getting past surface-level information and delving deeper into subjects.1