KitMapper Feature: Richard Lipman
This week hear from professional filmmaker Richard. Read more as he inspires you to meet your heroes and work with others to keep creating.
1.Tell us about yourself and your background.
I have been making films professionally since 2007 creating run and gun self-shooter films for various audiences and clients. I specialise in the weird and beautiful. I have a background in market research and communications having previously worked in the public and private sectors. I also speak French.
2. How did you first become interested in photography?
Photography, film and music are all interlinked. As soon as you enter the world you are exposed to all three as figments of reality and dreams.
3. What projects are you working on at the moment?
With the help of friends I am developing web shows, feature films and documentaries. Each has its challenges and opportunities from story, concept, performance, originality, financing to distribution and audience retention.
4. Tell us about your favourite project to date.
‘Another Wannabe Model’ (UK, short film, 2015) featuring actress Lucia Edwards, about a person who desperately wishes to become a model. I had a lot of fun with the filming, directing and edit of the film. Part of the story was improvised and contained an element of reality. It was shot on super 8mm, has no dialogue and encompasses energy and raw surrealism. The film is released on VOD through Indieflix and Amazon and has been screened in festivals in Europe Suikerzoet Filmfestival and Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in Europe.
5. What is something, in terms of your work, that you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t got around to yet?
I have not worked with transgender actors. That would be very interesting and is relevant for a future project.
6. What inspires your work?
Life, dreams, literature, people, news, politics, religion and spiritual life all inspire as well as uninspire. From the way the bees move around a pettle to the way a hurried commuter walks. One recent inspiration is Simon Sebag Montefiore, the historian, who relates to history in the realms of the stories of everyday people and leaders.
7. What is your favourite piece of kit?
My Leica M3 from 1959 and the 1972 Leicina Super 8mm camera. Vintage 50’s and 70’s style is very appealing to me and to a niche audience.
8. Any specific kit you’ve wanted to try lately?
I would like to work with a compact lightweight and foldable gimbal that works easily with large format cameras such as the C300. As such that gimbal has not been invented yet.
9. Looking back, and knowing what you know now, what advice would you feel you could give someone else who is starting out in your field?
Read, watch and meet your heroes. Most importantly you must work with people to create stories and film. Have a look at Werner Herzog’s filmmaking tutorials available at masterclass.com (and no, I am not employed by the company however I welcome contributions).
10.Where can we find you?
You can reach me online at:
Not only can you rent Richard’s favourite Leica cameras, but he also has 13 various pieces of kit ranging from cameras and tripods to digital recorders.
What invaluable information. We love how Richard emphasises staying inspired. You can feel how Richard absorbs the good as well as the bad in life, channeling what he sees through art.
We have an eclectic mix in our KitMapper Community. Everyone has an interesting story to tell that you’d never know without asking. Have something to share? Get in-touch with us at hekla@kitmapper.com, we’d love to tell your story.
