Some of the best advice that my favorite film directors and cinematographers have given revolve around three basic ideas.
1) Have a perspective. I once watched an interview with filmmaker Zack Snyder, who suggested that the best weapon that a director has in his or her arsenal is perspective. This advice has stuck with me because it's incredibly wise. Nobody else is going to see something through my eyes. Physically, it's impossible, but after reflection, this goes much deeper. I can bring a certain perspective to a photograph or a video shot that is informed by my experience and what I want to communicate to another person.
2) Study Art.
I've gone to many an art museum in my life, but it wasn't until a few years ago, that I started to truly value what was displayed in those galleries. What changed for me? My brother and I took a "Slow Art" class at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The concept behind Slow Art is to, well...slow down and admire the piece for five to ten minutes. After that time is up, the class offers the opportunity to discuss it with others. I recommend this practice because it's amazing how taking the time to study a work of art can become sensory. Maybe it's the comic book reader in me, but after taking the time to immerse myself in a painting or a photograph, I can start to hear sounds, feel the temperature, and imagine myself inside the image.
Normally, I would walk briskly through art museum galleries, only stopping when something visually interesting would catch my eye. Now, I make more of an effort to let the art come to me.
I am not an art student and I couldn't tell you anything about brushstrokes, but finding a new appreciation for art definitely makes a difference. Doesn't matter if what you are studying is a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, poetry, film, theater, dance, music, or even (one of my favorites) puppetry...study art.
3) Being a good photographer makes you a better cinematographer.
For the last sixteen years, I've considered myself more of a video person. That's what I was trained in, what I've spent most of my time doing, and that's where a lot of my strengths lie.
In the last few years, I've started to notice that my favorite filmmakers were also fantastic photographers, who were serious about the craft. Whether it be Zack Snyder, Larry Fong, Fabian Wagner, or Wally Pfister, these film people were also photo people. If I want to be better behind a video camera, I needed to get better behind a still camera.
These three small pieces of advice have inspired me to practice photography and look for ways in how that can influence my videography. This blog and website will serve as the placeholder for my progress.
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