05: Producer, Alex Pescosta // The film school approach to producing & respecting the budget

WE ARE BACK! 

After two and a half years we are finally back 'on the air'.

In part 1 of this 2-part conversation, host and Cinematographer Carter Hewlett takes a DOP deep dive with Manchester-based Director of Photography Mike Staniforth.

Mike shares his journey from one-man-band to Director of Photography and how a well-curated Instagram account and a mutual love Joy Division created a huge career opportunity for him.

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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London based camera assistant Christopher J Orr tells us about finding a way into the film industry in the north of England. He shares his experience working as a runner and his hunger to get into the camera department at all costs.
The guys discuss the relationship between the cinematographer and different camera assistants and how vastly they vary from job to job.

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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Bring you a very quick update on the state of the Better Cinematographer Podcast and what to expect in the next episode.

What do you think of the news?

Voice your opinion here

For more episodes and show notes head over to The Better Cinematographer Podcast

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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Dumas Haddad is a director based in London, UK. He works on music videos, commercials, and narrative.

We talk about his time as a content producer for Sony and how he used that time as well as his own spec projects to develop and refine his taste as a director.

He also talks about what he looks for in a Director of Photography and how much influence they have on the final look of his work.

Dumas briefly take us through one of his favourite projects. A short called The Gift. Which is well worth checking out. CLICK HERE to watch The Gift

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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This episode was recorded as a YouTube Live back in May during peak lockdown.

Stephan takes a deep dive into his career looking back at humble beginnings as a one-man band in Leicester, UK.

With a heavy portfolio of shooting music festivals, Stephan talks about making conscious decisions to steer his career in a particular direction.

For more episodes and show notes head over to The Better Cinematographer Podcast

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Send questions to carter@bettercinematographerpodcast.com

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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At the beginning of the Covid-19 Lockdown we hosted a live episode of the podcast on Zoom.
Carter Hewlett sits down (virtually) with award-winning cinematographer Rick Joaquim.
The guys talk about Rick's journey from being in a band and shooting music videos for other bands, to become a member of SASC (South African Society of Cinematographers).
Rick talks about reasons for becoming a Direct of Photography and how things have changed as his career has progressed.

If you'd like to watch this episode head over on youtube CHECK THIS LINK

There's also a live Q&A after the conversation where the live listeners got to jump in a put their questions to both Rick and Carter.

This is the first Live episode of the podcast as well as the first to have a video. There's definitely more to come!

For more episode and to check out the show notes head over to thebettercinematographerpodcast.com

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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Carter answers question listeners sent in via Instagram.

A few of the questions answered are:

How important are test shoots? and how much budget should we be setting aside for them?

How can you push production to confirm pencils?

Do you own kit or do you rent on a project by project basis?

Best and worst equipment purchases?

How do you go about selecting your crew?

Do you have favourite lights to work with? And do you have a base lighting list that you often build from as a starting point?

How to "get in" as a freelancer?

Do you have a standard day rate or does it vary?

What is your workflow/ technique for eye lights?

How do you prep for a project you've never shot before. Like a car commercial for example?

Head over to www.thebettercinematographerpodcast.com for full show notes and more episodes.

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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Manchester based Director, Jarred McKnight talks about his ambition of becoming a professional golfer and how that lead him to become a director.

He discusses the challenges he faced moving from directing "give away" viral content to directing commercials.

The guys talk about the nuances of creating work you can be proud of while at the same time ensuring the client is happy and ensuring you're meeting the brief.

Jarred's working can be viewed at www.JarredMcKnight.com

For more episode and to check out the full show notes head over to www.thebettercinematographerpodcast.com

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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In the second half of Ian's interview, he talks about moving in with a group of filmmakers fresh out of film school and the dynamic of living with a group of hungry creatives half his age.

The guys go on to discuss the hype and buzz that can build around a particular artist and whether or not it's good to be the "hot right now" DOP. If you get hot you can get cold. Is it better to just be consistently warm?

Ian sheds light on his 20 year relationship with his agent, Vision. He shares his experience finding an agent and how that process may be different in 2020.

As previously mentioned in part one of the interview Ian has been building an online hub to share his knowledge and experience as a cinematographer with his Instagram based lighting breakdowns called Set Notes. He's also been holding seminars, talks and lighting workshops. In part two of his interview, Ian explains where his passion for sharing and giving back to the community came from and where he plans to take it in the future.

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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In part one of this two-part episode commercials cinematographer, Ian Murray has an in-depth conversation with host Carter Hewlett.

Ian talks about what initially sparked his interest in cinematography and navigating his current 25-year career.

He explains his experience coming up as a Director of Photography in "golden age of commercials'.

The guys talk about shooting film in a strictly analogue age and how shooting on film today is different and the effect that has on the cinematographer.

Ian goes in-depth to explain his current approach to lighting and his love for the new CLRS lighting system by Lightbridge.

He also touches on "Set Notes", a new bts series he's started within his Instagram channel to share his approach and insight into cinematography and more specifically lighting.

To take a look at some of Ian's Set Notes head to the show notes at
www.thebettercinematographerpodcast.com

For show notes and more episodes head over to HOLISTIC DP.com

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