Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Piantanida

Hi Robert, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

On the Edge of Consciousness and Creation
When I think about creating relaxation content, I always come back to the hypnagogic state—that fleeting edge between waking and sleeping. For some, it’s easy to drift into; for others, it’s more like skimming the surface of an ocean without sinking in. Either way, it’s a space where the mind becomes both open and reflective, where creativity and perception blur. Ambient Film, my PBS series releasing on Earth Day 2025, is an intentional exploration of that state—inviting viewers to slow down and engage with the beauty of a rapidly changing world.

For the past decade, I’ve traveled the world, documenting special places that deserve to be preserved forever. These places, with their breathtaking landscapes and quiet power, often leave me overwhelmed by the urge to make their beauty timeless. As a documentarian, I try to capture the vibrational honesty of a place or moment—to reflect something that feels true and real. This means looking at the world through a wide lens, integrating experiences, data, relationships, and history into a coherent narrative.

Ambient Film is my attempt to bring this honest lens into creating hypnagogic states while documenting the Earth. Each episode is both an immersive journey and an invitation to pause and reflect. Whether you let it play in the background or choose to dive fully into the experience, the films are designed for quiet moments—late at night, early in the morning, or anytime you’re seeking stillness.

For those unfamiliar, hypnagogia is the state between wakefulness and sleep—a threshold where the conscious and unconscious worlds overlap. It’s a space of heightened intuition, creativity, and reflection. The process of creating these films mirrors this state: flowing intuitively while maintaining focus, capturing every detail of a place’s essence. By combining this approach with a slow cinema ethos, I hope to create a series that doesn’t just show you the world but helps you feel it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Creating Ambient Film has been a dream come true—a labor of love that, despite its challenges, brings immense fulfillment. Like many artists today, we face financial hurdles; producing high-quality, ad-free content is costly. Scaling our operations while staying true to our mission presents additional complexities. Seasons 2 and 3 are underway, featuring both vintage and modern films, and we’re committed to keeping our content free and uninterrupted.

Our strategy is to grow deliberately, partnering only with those who share our vision. As we expand and welcome more creators, I’m eager to collaborate with scientists, artists, and technologists. Together, we’ll build a rich, experiential organization, freely sharing our time and energy to craft meaningful experiences.

With adequate financial backing, we could transform Ambient Film into a vast library that captures Earth’s natural beauty and remarkable human achievements in architecture and infrastructure. Imagine a platform akin to an “interdimensional cable,” offering viewers a boundless array of immersive experiences that celebrate our world’s diversity and splendor. This vision drives us to seek support that aligns with our mission, enabling us to expand our reach and impact.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am a filmmaker, and I like to think I speak film. As a cinematographer and editor, I serve as both translator and technician to capture and tell stories and show experiences. My collaborations with Al Warren, particularly on projects like Dogleg (2023), have garnered recognition. I’m especially excited about our latest endeavor, King of the Chitlin Circuit, a documentary on the legendary blues singer Bobby Rush.

Working with real people—be they professional actors, personalities, or everyday individuals—is a specialty of mine. I deeply value collaboration across all areas, relishing the creative processes of discovery and improvisation. My improvisational nature allows me to adapt swiftly to changing landscapes and environments, always seeking truth in my work. This focus enables me to capture moments that might otherwise be lost to time or prove difficult to recreate. My passion for nonfiction stories provides a rich reservoir of knowledge to draw upon when working in documentary film.

My work aims to captivate audiences by weaving together hypnotic, humorous, pensive, and often beautiful imagery, ensuring each piece offers a unique and engaging experience.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?

Always give 150%, you never know who is watching.

Pricing:

• Rates available by request.
• collaborations welcome

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ambientfilm.org
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/magneticdispatch

Image Credits

personal photo wide angle in the woods shot, credit Andy Johnson
Green daytime photo in river – credit Animal Prince
Railroad Tracks, BTS shot from Dogleg
solo shot with desert mountains in background, credit Kevin Perez
blue dark shot – credit Animal Prince