Welcome to Zen and Chaos Studios, an independent film production and photography company. We help our clients with all stages of video production and photography, whether it's for short and feature length film productions, Promotional Videos, Event Photography and Videography, or Music Videos. How can we help you?
- Inspired
Pre-Production
We help our clients navigate through all of the tasks required to get into Production. Writing, planning, budgeting, locations, casting, crew...
Production
Now the fun begins, we truly enjoy the look on our client's faces as they start to see their vision coming to life. We have all the equipment needed, cameras, tripods, glide-cams, lighting, microphones, Jib...
Post-Production
Once principal photography is finished, we have all the editing equipment and software you'll need to bring your work to final-cut. We can help with editing, scoring, motion graphics, foley...
About us
In 2002, I realized my passion for movies and filmmaking and worked with as many local VT filmmakers as I could find.
In 2007, I ventured out on my own and founded Zen and Chaos Studios, where I direct and produce scripts that I have written. Along the way, I had the wonderful opportunity to film concerts for The Jennifer Hartswick Band and Grace Potter.
In 2017, I added background acting to my resume. I played a C.E.R.T in Ben Stiller and Showtime's "Escape at Dannemora". In "Soulmate(s)" I played Farmer Hawthorn, which is now available on-demand. I also started working on my first feature film "Where Is She?" that I wrote, produced, directed, edited, scored, and was the cinematographer.
In 2019, I premiered "Where Is She?" at a local theater, which went on to win 4 online festival awards and was picked up for distribution by MBur Films. Available, on Tubi, and Plex.
I also volunteer my services and work with such charities and organizations as: Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Chittenden, VT National Guard Fallen Heroes Memorial Committee, Defenders vs. Enforcers Benefit Hockey Tournament, Josh. Pallotta Fund, Colby Pattee Foundation, and Afterglow Foundation
- Inspired
News Feed
Highlights
Lund Women Tell Their Stories
A wonderful collaboration with Natasha Payton from LUND, Sue Schmidt, and Cory Royer. Five brave women tell their complex stories of abuse, drugs, alcohol, trouble with the law and their recovery.
"At Lund, we are focused on providing hope and removing barriers that may get in the way of engaging in needed treatment services. Lund’s residential treatment program makes it easier for parenting individuals to get the treatment they need while continuing to parent their children."
Feb 3 2025
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Promo
At Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), we believe service is about much more than constructing beds for kids in need. Our mission of NO KID SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR IN OUR TOWN! extends to building communities, transforming lives, and creating opportunities for personal growth and learning. Luke Mickelson
I edited together pictures and videos from our bed builds and deliveries along with footage from the Giving Machines New England unveiling to make this promo for SHP!
Dec 18 2024
Brandon Gibbs 2022 Concert
I first met Brigitte Calisti at the premiere screening of our "WORST FEARS" pitch trailer for the cast, crew, and special guests. She was so impressed with our work, that she asked if I'd be interested in putting together a promo video for Brandon's FREE CONCERT. He was joined by Troy Patrick Farrell from White Lion and Joel Kosche from Collective Soul. We collaborated on filming the concert as well.
June 25, 2022
The Moth Interview
I teamed up with Flywheel Film Media Production and The Moth to film an interview with Burlington, VT Producer Sue Schmidt for a special video series that shines a light on the craft of storytelling. The series will be released in the summer/fall and will inspire people worldwide to share and listen to stories.
WORST FEARS
I met fellow filmmakers David Hazel and Darren Barcomb on the set of Ben Stiller and Showtime's "Escape at Dannemor" mini-series. They reached out to me in July of 2021, asking if I wanted to be involved in creating a pitch trailer for a feature film that they had written. Over the next month and a half I helped coordinate casting and crewing. We filmed the trailer over a 4 day period at the end of August 2021, and promptly started editing. We completed a finished trailer, paired that with an updated script and have sent it out to various industry professionals.
Aug 2021
Where Is She?
In the spring of 2017, I started building the set for the first feature film that I wrote, produced, directed, scored, and edited. We started principal photography in Sept of 2017 and finished in February of 2018. I finished editing the film in September of 2019 and screened the film for cast, crew, and special guests at Essex Cinemas in Essex Junction, VT. The film would go on to win 4 online festival awards and get picked up by Mbur Films for distribution. Available on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Plex.
Sept 2019
"Over Again" by GPATN
Matthew "Cado" Burr, the drummer from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, called me up and asked me to film their New Years Eve show at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT, back in 2006. I pieced together a music video from the concert footage of their song "Over Again". It was one of my favorites that they used to play and it has all the elements, great song, amazing guitar solo, and just an all out awesome performance.
Dec
2006
Past Projects
Troy Home for the Holidays
Concert Benefiting Special Olympics VT and Northwestern Counseling. The event included music from Troy Millette & The Fire Below, Forest Station, Frankie White, and Ryan Sweezey & The Midnight Walkers.
Dec 12 2024
Festival of Trees - Casino Night
A Gala like no other! Opulence, glitz and glamour combined for an unforgettable evening. A Casino style event where you will raise money for charity while winning opportunity to win fabulous prizes. Mill River Brewing company will provide delicious appetizers and a cash bar, and DJ Bun will dance you late into the night!!
Dec 6 2024
Giving Machine & SHP
Light the World Giving Machines, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Giving Machines provide a Unique way to donate to local and global charities. SHP (Sleep in Heavenly Peace) was one of the charities in the Giving Machine. SHP builds beds for kids in need.
Nov 29 2024
Afterglow Music Festival
A music festival to "Shine The Light" on Suicide Awareness. I had the pleasure of capturing this wonderful event with so many food/drink vendors and music from Quadra, Chin Ho!, and King Me!
Sept 21 2024
Colby Pattee Foundation Golf Classic
Colby Pattee Foundation Inc. a nonprofit dedicated to keeping Colby’s passion for helping others alive, by making a difference in people's lives one person at a time, one dollar at a time. We are dedicated to giving back to our community and helping those that have been dealt a Life-Altering medical condition and need financial help with unexpected bills,unexpected time off work and travel expenses. We also will be granting a $500.00 scholarship to 2 Franklin County Vermont seniors who will be continuing their education in a trade school.
June 30 2024
Kingman Festival
Jesse Agan, Morgan Miles, and Andre Maquera performing. A music festival benefiting St. Albans For The Future, to assist in their mission to help the revitalization of the St. Albans community. Together, we are bringing another FREE, fun, family-friendly event to Kingman Street including but not limited to a Large Scale Concert, Food & Drinks, Children/Family Activities, Kingman Street Business Showcases and more!
May 11 2024
SHP - 3rd Annual Charity Golf Classic
A charity golf tourney benefitting Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
At Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), we believe service is about much more than constructing beds for kids in need. Our mission of NO KID SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR IN OUR TOWN! extends to building communities, transforming lives, and creating opportunities for personal growth and learning. Luke Mickelson
May 11 2024
Vermont Maple Festival
The Vermont Maple Festival is a food and arts celebration held at St. Albans in the U.S. state of Vermont. The festival is a three-day event held annually over the last weekend in April. During the event, there are exhibits and demonstrations, entertainment, and a craft show all dedicated to maple syrup.
April 26-28 2024
VT Lake Monsters - Military Appreciation Night
It was a beautiful evening at Centennial Field in Burlington, VT. Great evening for a VT Lake Monsters baseball game. The theme Military Appreciation with a 50/50 raffle that supports Josh's House
July 5, 2023
8th Annual 11 Bravo Can Release
I volunteered my time to photograph the Annual 11 Bravo Can Release event every Year, which benefit's Josh's House. It was a day filled with great music, amazing people, delicious food and phenomenal beer!
April 15, 2023
2nd Annual SHP Charity Golf Classic
Bob Brosseau from SHP asked if we would photograph the tournament and film the closest to pin challenge at the Champlain Country Club in Saint Albans, VT. It was a beautiful sunny day.
May 13, 2023
Vermont Maple Festival 2022
I was given the wonderful opportunity to photograph this years Vermont Maple Festival which runs from Friday April 22nd - Sunday April 24th. For a list of events and activities, visit https://www.vtmaplefestival.org.
April 28-30, 2023
Jared and Jennifer Wedding
Good friend and fellow photographer, Chris Russell, asked me to join him photographing a wedding.
Sept
22, 2023
Festival of Fools
Woody Keppel asked me to film the 15th annual Festival of Fools on August 5! Festival of Fools brings over 100 free performances stretched across 17 hilarious hours of family-friendly entertainment to downtown Burlington. And it’s all served up on historic Church Street and in City Hall Park with acrobatics, dancers, sketch comedy, and unbelievable music. Follow BCA's social media and stay tuned to vtfools.org for more details on performers and all of the hilarity coming your way!
Aug 5, 2022
2022 Concert Series
We love to tour the concert series in Vermont. There are so many great bands! Sitting outside with friends and enjoying some food and music. I can't help but bring my camera and take a few pictures. Check out our Gallery to see more photos. A few we've see include:
Summer 2022
VT Lake Monsters - Military Appreciation Night
It was a beautiful evening at Centennial Field in Burlington, VT. Great evening for a VT Lake Monsters baseball game. The theme Military Appreciation with a 50/50 raffle that supports Josh's House
June 30, 2022
7th Annual 11 Bravo Can Release
I volunteered my time to photograph the Annual 11 Bravo Can Release event, held at 14th Star Brewery. The 7th Can Release with 14th Star Brewing Company! It was a day filled with great music, amazing people, delicious food and phenomenal beer!
June 18, 2022
1st Annual SHP Charity Golf Classic
Bob Brosseau from SHP asked if I would photograph the tournament and film the closest to pin challenge at the Champlain Country Club in Saint Albans, VT. It was a beautiful partly sunny day, the storm held off! There were a total of 31 teams and many sponsors.
May 21, 2022
Jacinda and Victor's Wedding
I had the pleasure of working on a wedding with my friend Jay Blanchard. The wedding took place on Burke Mountain in Vermont. It was a beautiful and quite warm day for the ceremony.
May 14, 2022
Vermont Maple Festival 2022
I was given the wonderful opportunity to photograph this years Vermont Maple Festival which runs from Friday April 22nd - Sunday April 24th. For a list of events and activities, visit https://www.vtmaplefestival.org.
April 22-24, 2022
