Welcome to Q Stories - a multimedia production company.
Since 1998, James ‘Q’ Martin has helped outdoor brands, artists and athletes share their stories with audiences around the world. Now, Q Stories is not one individual but a team of curious professionals who bring unique and diverse skills to our projects. We believe that inside each of us is a wild story worth sharing, and telling around the proverbial campfire of life.
Rooted in the outdoor industry, Q Stories crafts authentic, narrative-driven media designed for global impact. We gravitate toward the complex environmental and social issues that we face as a global community. With tenacity for seeking the ‘why’ in every narrative, coupled with our diverse experience and passion for social change, we specialize in bringing unique stories to life.
Whether it's navigating complex events in the streets of Haiti or filming on sheer rock face in Patagonia — from project concept, to production, to global distribution — we are here to tell the story behind your “Why.”
Team
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James 'Q' Martin
Creative Director - Founder
Voted, “Mr Play your position” by his 6th grade soccer coach, he has always had a knack for handling a lot of positions on the field at an early age. Curious by nature, photography, filmmaking, location scouting and field producing all became natural jobs for the man who can wear many hats but who has learned that its easier to only wear one at a time. If Q is not on location shooting photos or video you can find him searching for what's around the corner- either exploring, mountain biking or pushing his personal limits on rock faces internationally.
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Chris Cresci
Filmmaker
An experienced shooter and editor, he works to bring a cinematic aesthetic to the nonfiction form - telling stories of real people that stick with audiences, and honor their subjects. He has worked with brands like Airbnb and The Home Depot, and his work has been featured on Vimeo Staff Picks, Short of the Week, The Atlantic, and at film festivals around the world. He is a semi-professional finger drummer, font enthusiast, and not a huge fan of pickles.
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Tom Attwater
Filmmaker
Tom is a multi-talented artist who works as a film producer, director, cinematographer, editor, and still photographer. He was born in Wichita, Kansas and now resides in Missoula, Montana. He has a background in outdoor education, having worked as a backcountry instructor and river guide. In 2016, he received a BFA in Media Arts and Digital Video Production from the University of Montana. If Tom is not crushing out insanely long hours editing his next independent documentary he can be found playing fetch with his dogs or taking a break from filmmaking with his wife Molly.
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Nelson Klein
Location Sound / AC
Nelson is Q Stories production Swiss Army knife. An extremely talented photographer, audio tech and camera operator, he knows the ins and outs of production. A true ace-in-the-hole on the most challenging jobs. In Nelson’s spare time he can be found paddling the Grand Canyon, ripping up finger cracks, enjoying a good novel on his rest day or heading offline on “Big Momma”, his 2003 Sprinter and residence.
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Sheila Smithson
Producer / Logistics - Partner
“There is no better job in the world than working with my boys.” MommaQ understands the realities of raising three rambunctious boys and also what it takes to book flights for 12 folks to fly around the world. When she is not navigating the logistics of the company, you can find her hiking near her home in Oregon or finding solace in her abundant garden.
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Phillip Martin
Marketing - Partner
Phillip is our managing partner and resident marketing guru. Prior to this role he has served as Vice President of multiple community based non-profits and has led sales and marketing efforts across several Fortune 100 companies. When away from his phone, he can be found trail running through the Southwest preparing for his next ultramarathon. When not crushing out long days of productions, he can be found taking long road trips, taking home the big dollars in Vegas and reading a book a week.
We Are Proud To Work With:
Film Awards
Sheri / Alpacka Rafts
Best Spirit of Adventure Award - Silver
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival 2023Audience Choice Award
Nederland International Film Festival 2022Best of Festival
Stories Worth Telling Festival 2022Finalist
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival & World Tour 2022
Finding Hetch Hetchy / Restore Hetch Hetchy
Vimeo Staff Pick
2022
Wild Climate / WildClimate.org
Jury’s Award
Tulum World Environmental Film Festival 2022
Paving Tundra / Passion Project
Environmental Film Award
Waterwalker Film Fest 2022Vimeo Staff Pick
2021
Unshaken / Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corps
EXCELLENCE in Docu-drama Short
Docs Without Borders Film Festival 2021
Wild Legacy / Tompkins Conservation
Vimeo Staff Pick
2018Best Conservation Hero Film
New York WILD Film Festival 2017Honorable Mention
Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2017Best Environmental Film
Adventure Film Festival 2016
Mile for Mile / Patagonia
People's Choice & Best Film
Aysen Mountain Film Festival
Drawn / Jeremy Collins
Best Adventure Film
Adventure Film Festival 2015Best Script
Bilbao Mendi Film FestivalCreative Excellence
5 Point Film Festival
Power in the Pristine / Rios Libres
Best Documentary Film
Sedona Film Festival 2011