The Cinematography Journal

Kicking off the first (very late) episode of 2020 is an unusual PSA film. It tackles some unusual challenges including water, miniature sets and motion control systems. Enjoy!

This episode covers my first experience on a car spot. It was a test of my adaptability with lighting, working with both available and staged lighting, as well as my ability to problem solve on the fly and be a team player when sh*t hits the fan. Enjoy!

Today I talk with Emmy-nominated director Zach Lipovsky. Zach has directed and produced projects for Syfy, Lionsgate, Legendary and Disney. Following the recent release of his feature FREAKS, we talk everything from getting started in film, to directing for big studio productions and everything in-between. Enjoy!

Today I speak with our first guest. I'm so privileged to invite ex-west end STOMP! performer Omari (Motion) Carter to the podcast. Omari has been building a Screendance production company for several years now and has been a close collaborator of mine on several projects to date, some of which I have already done breakdowns for in the podcast (The Oner, Tripods For Sea Sickness, Finding A Documentary). In this episode, we navigate his development into directing. Enjoy!

This shoot was a culmination of past experience all coming together to craft a visual style that was story driven but still heavily conceptual. Working with mixing camera sensors and shaping a location using practical lighting. Enjoy!

Episode number TEN!! This time I am talking about my unique use of the oner. How I work with stage performers, and how it works in practise when I walk you through a really neat short screendance film I DP'd. Enjoy!

This episode is a bit of a different format. I'm looking over multiple projects to compare and analyse the various interview setups I've done over the years. This selection of frames spans both planned and unplanned interview setups as well as high key & low key looks. Enjoy! 

I'm walking through the process of lighting and shooting a Gospel music video. This video had us in one very conventional studio and one very unconventional location. This music video project is also the project responsible for hooking me on the Kinefinity cinema camera bandwagon. Enjoy! 

A look at an old project from back in the 5D heyday. From braving the freezing beaches of northern England in late November to the shifting workflow of shooting for coverage, rather than executing specific visuals shot by shot. Enjoy!

A look at one of my favourite dance films to date. This hybrid concept short/music video was a great chance to explore my love for available light. Enjoy! 

This episode looks at an unconventional documentary process with good friend and collaborator Omari Carter from The Motion Dance Collective, and how this seemingly small project has brought about the pursuit of a new feature exploration into the psychology of injury and the ideology of identity. Enjoy! 

Here's an oldie, but a goodie! Looking back at one of the rare occasions where I have taken on music video projects. This one has a really unique and simple concept that was fun to shoot and also pretty fun to edit.I also have a quick rant about the low budget music video scene and the culture of under-cutters who have made it a hostile environment for creatives. Enjoy! 

Talking this time about a high street fashion commercial shot on an infinity cove. Let's talk about how I went about lighting this cove without overhead rigging and tackling the challenges of directional lighting when props are involved.Also in this short chat I will be talking about that dreaded moment when equipment goes down mid shoot. Enjoy! 

Taking a look over a recent shoot. This one was for a long time collaborator and friend Brendon Hansford and was a 9 minute concept film about mental health.I will be talking about the journey of the shoot day and some of the things we tackled to get this project on its feet. Enjoy! 

I am going to be sharing experiences and insights from my recent cinematographic exploits. The good the bad and most of all the truth. This podcast is about relaying my journey as a cinematographer trying to find a foothold and seeing if there's anything interesting about where I may be heading next.