Q & A from Filmmakers

Special Thanks to David Kruta, Ryan J. Speers, and Tyler Yee!

How did you find yourself being a Cinematographer? What lead up to this point?

David Kruta

I fell into cinematography. Thought I would write and direct, but ended up shooting a short film for a friend. Fell in love with it and haven’t looked back. I took a few years to work in the camera department as an AC and DIT to learn from more experienced folks, and made the jump to full time DP a few years ago. I continued shooting the whole time to hone my skills.

Ryan J. Speers

I graduated film school and moved out to LA in 2010 and PA’d at a Production/Post house. I made it known to everyone there that I knew cameras and imagery. They would ask me to shoot things as a PA and I got to spread my wings and gain knowledge of set life. I got to learn a lot from Art Directors and SFX guys and so on. Great experience that you can’t get from film school.

Tyler Yee

Directing found me — I hadn’t planned on it. Was an actor first, but while in college, I didn’t have time to go to film auditions, so instead, I delivered pizzas for an entire summer to buy a camera. This was right before DSLRS started shooting video so my HVX200 cost me about 6k in pizza tips.

You’re an amateur DP and you have to reach Mastery in 6 months, what do you focus on in those 6 months? (Crazy Question)

David Kruta

You won’t reach mastery in 6 months. There are no shortcuts. Are you familiar with the 10,000 hour rule?

Ryan J. Speers

I think the key here is identifying what you want to show on your reel or portfolio, visualize it, and shoot it. I think if you focus on 2 or 3 things to strengthen over a 6 month period, it will benefit you more than trying to do or learn everything in 6 months. Even the great Masters didn’t learn or build their success over night. It was a gradual process. Keep that in mind and you will grow. I practice this myself. Identify what I’d like to have, and find a way to make it. Money and time are definitely a factor but if you start on a path and stick with it, you will find yourself progressing.

Tyler Yee

Watch the best of the best and emulate what you see. I’ve never taken a film class. Technical aspects are important, but figure out ways to achieve and adapt with whatever you have. The BEST DPs are problem solvers. Learn photography. Everything in photography is applicable to film since that’s what filmmaking is at its core. It’s all about the perfect picture. “Follow Every Frame A Painting” https://www.youtube.com/user/everyframeapainting — it provides some great analysis on camera movement and framing.

What has had the most impact on your path to becoming a Cinematographer/Director?

David Kruta

The most impact came from working with DPs as a member of the camera department. You see how they light, how they set up their cameras and shots, sometimes they give you advice, etc.

Ryan J. Speers

I think its easier to get yourself out there these days with the internet so I don’t think its completely based on location. San Diego will have plenty of demand for shooters and photographers. The food industry, lifestyle, commercials, production — these all exist in major cities and surely exist in San Diego. Plus its not uncommon to work in LA and San Diego since they are so close. The key is networking with people and to not be afraid of putting yourself out there.

Tyler Yee

Building relationships. Everything in entertainment is about building relationships. Yes, skill is very important, but people work and collaborate with you when they like you. Be transparent in your communication, and honest in your business. People respect that more than anything.

I have the motivation to get out there but I sometimes lack the crew to actually make a movie. Is shooting beautiful, unrelated shots a good substitute when DP gigs are in short supply?

David Kruta

You should shoot as much as you can. The beauty of shooting today is that you don’t need a film crew, a lab, a Steinbeck, etc. You can pick up a DSLR and pretty much do it all yourself. Anything to help build that reel. When you start getting one together, just think about what kind of DP work you would like to do and make sure your shots fit that aesthetic.

Ryan J. Speers

Sometimes focusing on smaller things can be better. If there is a shot you’ve always wanted to get on your reel, find away to just get that one shot. Pretty soon you’ll have more and more impressive shots. This is a good way to gain diversity too. Sometimes a short film of people talking won’t get you anything but people talking in a room. If you identify what kind of shots you want to get, and the kind of shooter you want to be, you can work on getting those in your down time.

Tyler Yee

YES. shoot anything and everything. Try however to tone skills — camera movement, composition — don’t be afraid to observe people — their movements, their emotions.

What has been a negative surprise about Cinematography and heading a camera department?

David Kruta

My most negative surprise is the amount of politics it takes to be a DP. I spend a vast amount of time attending events, talking with producers, meeting vendors, and playing the game instead of just being on set shooting.

Tyler Yee

[As a Director] It is a very glorified job. Yes, you get to make all the final creative decisions, but if something goes wrong, it all falls on you. You are the first one on set and the last one to leave. Prepare to sleep very little at times. But at the end of the day, it’s all worth it :)

I am looking to work in the San Diego area as my next step. Am I better off there or anywhere?

David Kruta

Best 2 places to be if you’re trying to build a career as a DP are NYC and LA. However, if you have a really great living situation (e.g. cheap rent) in San Diego, you then have the freedom to build a reel and not stress about getting jobs. I started out in Boston with a situation like that and I could build a reel and do freebie projects without much worry.

Ryan J. Speers

I think its easier to get yourself out there these days with the internet so I don’t think its completely based on location. San Diego will have plenty of demand for shooters and photographers. The food industry, lifestyle, commercials, production — these all exist in major cities and surely exist in San Diego. Plus its not uncommon to work in LA and San Diego since they are so close. The key is networking with people and to not be afraid of putting yourself out there.

Tyler Yee

San Diego is great — LA is obviously is great too. It doesn’t matter where you are as long as there are people from which to learn and content to shoot. I started in New Orleans, which has a ton of culture, but is also a very small community. It allowed me to progress and meet people very quickly. That being said, southern California is where it’s at and there is such a huge ocean of opportunity.

Share a story as DP or your best advice?

David Kruta

Best advice: keep the contrast towards camera and always trust your gut.

Ryan J. Speers

Some of the best advice I got from a DP was, “If you want to be a DP, then go be a DP. If you don’t want to assist, don’t assist. You may get stuck doing that well into your 40s. Advertise yourself as what you want to be and the jobs and title will come.”

Tyler Yee

Don’t ever give up. Love your craft. If you find you enjoy something more like art department, set design, producing, or even something completely unrelated to film, then don’t hesitate to explore it. That’s what this life is all about — experiences. Meet people, show love to others, and always go the extra mile.

Thank you David Kruta, Ryan J. Speers, and Tyler Yee!

David Kruta- http://davidkruta.com/
@Dkruta- https://twitter.com/dkruta
@Dkruta- https://www.instagram.com/dkruta/

Ryan J. Speers- http://ryanjspeers.com/
@Jurassic_parka- https://www.instagram.com/jurassic_parka/

Tyler Yee- http://tyleryyee.com/
@TylerYee- https://twitter.com/tyleryee
@TylerYee- https://www.instagram.com/tyleryee/

It’s not that hard to reach out to your favorite filmmakers. I dare you to try!

Instagram- http://valley_films