Cinematographer Archives

I am a filmmaker. It’s more than what I do… It is who I am. I may never see my work on the silver screen, I may never win any awards, and my name may someday be forgotten… But still I fight.

I fight because I love this industry, I love the stories, I love the visuals, I love the creativity, I love the imagination, and I love the work. I strive for success like everyone else, and I am no different or any better than those who strive for the same goals I do.

People may feel I’ve been wasting my life fighting to make this wild dream a reality… The reality is, it would be a waste of my life to not fight wildly for this dream.

The Journey is what shapes us… Not the Destination.

I wasn’t born into it. I wasn’t given any free rides. I don’t have all the greatest and latest toys in the business. That’s what makes the fight more exciting, more meaningful, and more worth achieving. The harder the fight, the greater the victory. Each small accomplishment is validation to continue.

Along this road, I will work with others as hungry, driven, and full of dreams as myself. However I’ll also have the misfortune to trust the wrong people and make some bad mistakes along the way.

However I promise this… I’ll remember those who fought along my side, and I’ll forget those who stabbed me from behind. I won’t forget the lessons I’ve learned and I’ll always fight to make my next project better than the last. In this industry, you’re only as good as your last project.

I know the importance of reputation, and I will fight with passionate ferocity to defend it. It is more valuable than any camera, lens, or lighting kit I could ever own. Without it, I have nothing. My reputation is what validates my level of professionalism, skill, creativity, and authenticity. It is what makes me stand out among the masses, and it provides a guarantee of my commitment and dedication to those I work with.

This journey requires sacrifice. It demands my time. It fuels my passion. It both mocks and inspires me. It tests my limits. It shapes my life. It exposes me to ridicule and praise. It offers me no guarantee. It allows me no rest. It defines who I am.

I learn from those ahead of me. I teach those who follow. I take chances and develop new skills always. I practice, I study, I train. I give my respect to those who give it to me. I give none to those mistake my kindness for weakness or abuse my trust. My cast and crew are like family and I give credit were credit is due.

I am driven to constantly challenge the way I see film. While it’s technology evolves, the foundation of telling a story remains constant.

I search for inspiration and embrace it when it finds me, as it often finds me when I least expect it, or when I feel like giving up. There is a reason why we fall…

As a filmmaker… I am a dreamer, a storyteller, and a visionary. This is a bold statement, but it is a bold ambition. I see life through the lens and I play with shadows and light. I create worlds and characters that don’t exist. But if even for a moment, I suspend your belief, then I believe I have succeeded.

Some may love my work, others may hate it. It can anger, scare, offend, or make a person laugh or cry. As long as there is an emotion to be experienced, it was worth the motion of calling “Action”.

Is it worth the fight? Without a doubt, the answer is “Yes”! If it takes a lifetime to define myself, then it would not be a wasted life.

I am a filmmaker… and I have a story to show you.

To keep updated with samples of my work, please visit my facebook profile, I AM CINEMA.

Also, be sure to visit Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue. Your visit and donations help provide funding for their food, medical needs, rescue maintenance, and overall quality of life for their Tigers, Lions, and Leopards.

In Sanity, Florida is a new comedic drama series written and directed by See~Worthy Films. Marc Zatorsky and Shawn Morell have created an amazing production with a cast of 35 professional actors, and a full crew of film students learning how to be filmmakers. Their offices are locate out of G-Star Studios and Marc often teaches acting at the Burt Reynolds Institute and at G-Star Studios. I’ve teamed up with them for our second production together as their Director of Photography and Editor.

I had the privilege of first working with Marc and Shawnee last year, when they hired me to be their Director of Photography for “TWEET: The Series” 2nd Season. We had both just finished some rather negative experiences and cut ties with some people who would rather steal and take credit for other peoples work. Sadly, not everyone in this business is truly professional, or actually has any talent… they just know how to manipulate and use others for their own career advancement. Needless to say, we both had to take a chance working together, hoping the other was legit and professional.

Long story short… We hit it off tremendously! Which was a huge relief for all of us. I came on board with a wonder lust for creativity and taking their productions to an entirely new level, and they came on board with the highest level of professionalism, respect, and quality production, along with a full cast of amazing actors. They have a true talent for directing, producing, and writing. The quality of their writing alone was enough for me to enjoy working with them, as the last so-called “Writer” I worked with, well… that’s a story for another day, or maybe just one better off forgotten.

Anyway… Fast forward to present day, after finishing up season 2 of TWEET: The Series, and after writing it’s 3rd season, both Marc and Shawnee agreed they needed to challenge themselves further, and put our combined talents to the test. Their team of actors were certainly up to the challenge as well. So they wrote “In Sanity, Florida”. The town is small… the crazy isn’t.

Trust me when I say… “This show is hysterical”!!! Normally as a cinematographer and DP, the most challenging aspect of my job is to create quality lighting and composition, and to keep the actors in focus. For this production, the hardest part was trying not to laugh and shake the cameras as we filmed. Seriously! In Sanity, Florida is a whole new level for independent filmmakers. The talent and the crew were amazing and working with SAG actors, among them included the legendary Burt Reynolds.

Our location was based out of Yesteryear Village in West Palm Beach, and the quality of production even rivaled film studios with huge budgets. We have a few more surprises in store, but you’ll have to watch to find out!

SYNOPSIS and DETAILS

In Sanity, Florida is centered around a fictional village in Florida, where as we say, “The town is small, the crazy isn’t”. Our lead actress “Tommi Rose” (Model/Actress/Singer) takes us through the town and we encounter it’s crazy town folk.

We have 35 amazing actors, including Noah Schnacky (How I Met Your Mother, Hitstreak, Got Home Alive), Mike Benitez (Wrecked, Serendipity, The Sponge Bob Movie, and the Do Over with Adam Sandler), and Louis Tomeo (Every Witch Way), and many other top quality actors. We are also honored to have Mr. Burt Reynolds join the cast, as himself! They all auditioned against over 300 actors, from an original 1,500 submissions. There’s a reason why so many people want to with See~Worthy Films, their quality and reputation are phenomenal. I’m very fortunate to be a part of their team and I love working with them.

To keep updated with samples of my work, please visit my facebook profile, I AM CINEMA.

Tag: Cinematographer

I am a Filmmaker

In Sanity Florida