The Brooklyn-based filmmaker and animator joins the creative company for representation
Creative film company Farm League welcomes filmmaker Travis Wood for representation. This marks the first time the director has been represented.
A lifelong skateboarder, Travis first developed a passion for the craft of filmmaking by directing, shooting, and editing skate videos in his native Minnesota. Inspired by Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing and influenced by many of the indie and DIY films on NoBudge and Vimeo Staff Picks, Travis started gravitating towards more narrative work.
In addition to his degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Minnesota, Travis studied Cinema Production at Minneapolis College, where he further honed his skills in filmmaking. An experienced director in live action and animation, his short films have been selected for multiple Vimeo Staff Picks, SXSW, Rooftop Films, an NY EMMY award, and featured on NoBudge, Booooooom, and Directors Notes.
His work is purposeful and insightful with each moment packing a punch. Experimenting with storytelling in its many forms, Travis utilizes the power of truth to guide his process. His films often ride the line between fiction and non-fiction using a hybrid of techniques. He blends different mediums to deepen the emotional connection and to better illustrate the characters in his work. He works across many disciplines, including live action, animation, found footage, and miniatures.
Travis’ first collaboration with Farm League was on a Lexus-sponsored campaign for the Los Angeles Clippers, “Life in the League.” He partnered with animation studio Blue Cerberus to bring basketball players Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, and Ivica Zubac to life through playful animation. After spending only 15 minutes interviewing each athlete, Travis found interesting stories from their past to personalize the campaign.
Travis worked with Ancestry.com to create a four-part series of films that feature a central character as they discover new revelations about their own ancestry. The use of mixed media and textural elements intercuts the films with playful touches. He also received the One Outside Film Grant via Eddie Bauer, through which he directed a branded short film “Outside After Work.”
Most recently, Travis was selected as a finalist for Indeed’s Rising Voices grant program, which selected only 10 finalists out of nearly 1,000 applicants. He begins production on his original short film this month, in partnership with Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions. The film will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Travis Wood, director, comments: “The work and team at Farm League have always felt very genuine to me, which resonated a lot because that’s how I approach my filmmaking. I love that they’re invested in the long game. They’re thinking about what our legacy and careers might look like in five or 10 years, rather than being bogged down in the latest trends. The team is made up of adventurers and artists who value storytelling and aren't afraid to think outside the box. It’s really rewarding to be part of a team that supports non-traditional routes to success and encourages everyone to be themselves. I want to work with clients, cast, and crew who have diverse backgrounds and points of view, so we can make something together that is fresh and new”.
Tim Lynch, founder of Farm League, says: “Travis is an exciting young director who blends mediums to serve a purpose, and that’s usually to deepen an emotional connection in a story. He’s a skateboarder with a love for subcultures, and while there is an innate playfulness to his films, it’s always tempered with a deep respect for the characters. He’s also got a keen observational eye and a ton of wit, and I’m so excited to welcome Travis to our team.”