Trying to figure out how to make the lives of an aspiring cinematographer easier

[Kenzentakahashi]

Hey everyone! Similarly stated in the title, I’m curious what the trials and tribulations are for an aspiring cinematographer



Which is why I have two very simple questions:



1. As an aspiring cinematographer, what are the 2 biggest issues you’re dealing with?

2. Regarding cinematography, what would you wish for more than anything else?



Thanks so much in advance - looking forward to reading your answers!

 

[NorBro]

1. Competition and not enough money.
2. More money.

___

Of course those are simple answers that may not be relevant to what you're looking for here.

Maybe a true artist that does it for the love of the craft will have a different perspective (like the lack of funding to make the creations they have in mind).

 

[Guest]

Hey everyone! Similarly stated in the title, I’m curious what the trials and tribulations are for an aspiring cinematographer



Which is why I have two very simple questions:



1. As an aspiring cinematographer, what are the 2 biggest issues you’re dealing with?

2. Regarding cinematography, what would you wish for more than anything else?



Thanks so much in advance - looking forward to reading your answers!

Seems like an interesting topic. can you expound on your questions?

Welcome to the forum.

1. Aspiring Cinematographers are given a wonderful set of options right now. Going into theatrical release centric cinematography is a bit in question, right now. Huge talent pool and shrinking diversity in that space. But the flip side is having the free platforms and streaming services, and relatively affordable tools.

2. I'd love to see more voices. More story tellers. Someone recently posted a self taught film maker's youtube channel. That is awesome. I'd like to see less focus on gear. everything is good now, yet when I see influencers or cinema branded sites and channels, that they constantly talk about what to buy. It is such a non-issue these days. Also, if you look our infamous Fx9 vs C500ii thread, it is funny to see people get upset at the idea that camera X might have a fractional stop less DR. The camera companies release updates so gradually, you are never out of date. Just get a camera and start shooting. Study painting and photography masters and cinematographers. Forget the influencers. Unless you want to be an influencer, of course. A totally cool new career for the self starter.

 

[lambert]

Maybe start collaborating with a production designer that’s at the same level. Many of the student, no budget films you’ll work on won’t have much if any budget for production design. It’s important to find allies as you grow. Figure out why you want to be a dp.
Study artists, writers and filmmakers outside your comfort level. Go to the theatre. Take acting classes. Figure out where you want to be in ten years and map out one month goal, six month goal, etc. listen more than you speak. Go to art museum’s, poetry slams, dance performances. Don’t get to heavy into partying. All the time continue to shoot and do your own studies. Any great film program can only teach you so much, 90 percent has to come from your own thirst for learning. Figure out what you won’t do. What level of success will make you happy, will that change when you have a significant other in your life. If anything else in life will make you happy do that, but if you have to be a cinematographer, good luck.

 

[Kenzentakahashi]

Seems like an interesting topic. can you expound on your questions?

Welcome to the forum.

1. Aspiring Cinematographers are given a wonderful set of options right now. Going into theatrical release centric cinematography is a bit in question, right now. Huge talent pool and shrinking diversity in that space. But the flip side is having the free platforms and streaming services, and relatively affordable tools.

2. I'd love to see more voices. More story tellers. Someone recently posted a self taught film maker's youtube channel. That is awesome. I'd like to see less focus on gear. everything is good now, yet when I see influencers or cinema branded sites and channels, that they constantly talk about what to buy. It is such a non-issue these days. Also, if you look our infamous Fx9 vs C500ii thread, it is funny to see people get upset at the idea that camera X might have a fractional stop less DR. The camera companies release updates so gradually, you are never out of date. Just get a camera and start shooting. Study painting and photography masters and cinematographers. Forget the influencers. Unless you want to be an influencer, of course. A totally cool new career for the self starter.

Thanks!

I suppose I'm wondering if intermediates/beginners trying to break in are struggling with technical skills? Networking? Getting a reel? Or all of the above, or something completely different. I know when I first started I struggled to get any quality work (even freebies) without showing a body of images that I could produce. Then the struggle after that was finding work that had a budget to keep up with my desire to produce even better images (requiring more light, bigger crews, production designers, etc.)

Heck, I'm curious what were the biggest struggles working cinematographers had when they first started.

 

[Guest]

Thanks!

I suppose I'm wondering if intermediates/beginners trying to break in are struggling with technical skills? Networking? Getting a reel? Or all of the above, or something completely different. I know when I first started I struggled to get any quality work (even freebies) without showing a body of images that I could produce. Then the struggle after that was finding work that had a budget to keep up with my desire to produce even better images (requiring more light, bigger crews, production designers, etc.)

Heck, I'm curious what were the biggest struggles working cinematographers had when they first started.

The trick is, not starting as a cinematographer. Start under others more experience. Serve them well for a few years.