Conversations with Camerawomen

So great to finally have DP Vanessa Whyte on. What a great episode for all of you aspiring cinematographers. We get into everything from being a woman in the industry, so her work on Ted Lasso, shooting shorts, doing well in interviews, putting yourself out there and the genesis of Illuminatrix. You can follow her work on https://www.instagram.com/noodlle/. Hope you enjoy the chat!

A really special episode with Sophie Darlington - Wildlife cinematographer specialising in long lens. Sophie has been in the game for 30 years so you know you're getting some valuable knowledge. She has shot with penguings, polar bears, wolves all around the world and continues to create beautiful, meaningful imagery that humanity needs to see. We talk about the solitary nature of the job, making decisions, working with fixers, some of the technical aspects of shooting in the wild, and a lot more. Links to some of the things she mentioned in the episode.  https://www.instagram.com/sophiedarlingtondop/  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOzdNRX4Vas  https://www.instagram.com/wildlife.camerawomen/ 

Excited to share this chat that has been next in line on my calender. Nicola Daley (ACS) joins me for a great chat about her career, working as a DP in both docmentary and then drama and film. She has spent time all over the world, and she talks about her experience on the Handmaid's Tale, how important it was to have the same creative language as the director, coming on as a later block DP, learning to edit in your head, and a lot of other things. You can find her on Instagram, link below.    https://www.instagram.com/nicdaleydp/?hl=en     

Welcoming our first grip Georgie on the show. Georgie started her career in the camera department and pivoted into the grip shortly after where she felt she was better suited. We talk about her experience in navigating that and how she functions in what is still a predominantly male heavy department. And we learn that being a grip is not only physical - although that is an important part of it, but needs a lot of other skill sets and abilities to do the job. 

Simona Susnea joins me today on the show. Another engaging chat where we cover topics such as prepping, working with your operators, your team and your director, the importance of knowing how to edit, creating LUTS and working with the grade and lots more. It was so informative and I really enjoyed learning about and understanding her proces. We talk a lot about Heartstopper, her latest TV drama which is set to be released later this year.  https://www.instagram.com/si.sus.dop/ 

Kate Reid BSC joins me today to talk about her earlier years starting in the industry, and how she navigated the sometimes difficult landscape of getting her first jobs. We then go into more detail about her work as a cinematographer, focusing on working with your director, scheduling, and managing your time on the shoot and working with the limitations that they often bring. Make sure you catch Kate at the BSC expo as well she's on a panel all about advice to my younger self- which there is no lack of in this episode.  You can see her work on her website: http://katereiddop.com/  And here's the link to the seminars at the expo: https://bscexpo.com/seminars/     

If you have'nt seen The Quiet Girl, you should stop this right now and watch it, as it's truly a stunning film. Cinematographer Kate McCullough joins me today to talk about her career in the industry, her move from documentary to drama, her work on The Quiet Girl, her process, her relationship with the directors she works with, and so much more. It was a pleaseure having Kate on, and to have the opportunity to chat about this gem of a film with her. You can follow her instgram here: https://www.instagram.com/kate.mc.cullough/?hl=en-gb 

Kicking off 2023 this January, with a few words for all those who are not working and might have the January worry. In this episode I talk to Sara and Laurily over at Sara Putt & Associates. With decades of experience, these two women have seen and been through almost everthing you can think of. They are both diary service and agents to crew and HODs. We cover so many things including - what a diary service is, what an agent does, how to search for one, some tips on how to negotiate, how to deal with the January slums and how to go about finding work. An episode to start the year off with solid career advice. You can connect with and find them over at: https://saraputt.co.uk/  https://www.instagram.com/saraputtassociates/?hl=en  https://saraputt.co.uk/trainee-scheme/ 

Ashley Barron ACS is a cinematographer based in the UK. She grew up between Ireland, Armenia, Russia and Australia. Ashley entered the industry as a Camera Assistant before attending the American Film Institute in Hollywood. She is a member of the Australian Cinematographer's Society. We discuss her path in the industry, her creative process, her challenges and lots of other topics.  Follow her on https://www.instagram.com/ashleybarrondop/?hl=en 

A great hang out with super talented and awesome Katie Goldschmidt and Olga Abramson. We cover a lot of ground and bounce between conversations about being a DP and focus pulling, drawing on both their experiences in the industry, challenges and things they have learnt. A lot of great advice in there and generally a fun episode. 

For everyone who is interested in wildlife filming and underwater cinematography - this is a good one. Christina talks to us about her background in documentary and Broadcast TV, how she became an underwater camerawoman and DP, her work with sperm whales and cold water sharks (what!) and other amazing stories. Enjoy!

After a long (unplanned) hiatus, we're back with a great episode to kick off. In this episode I talk with Well-Being Facilitator Leo Anna Thomas about everything to do with dealing with stress, mental health and handling different difficulties and situations on set. I love this episode and hope you all find it as useful as I do. Please check them out on instagram and all the amazing work they are doing. Well-being should really be something we are all invested in beyond the technical and creative aspects of our work.    https://www.instagram.com/leo_thomas81/  https://www.instagram.com/6ftfrom/ 

Juliette Carton on the podcast today talking about her decision to step up into loading, the things she learned as a trainee, dealing with tough days on set and lots more. Great episode for those in the beginning of their career and those in management positions who could find it useful to hear from the POV of someone who recently stepped up.  https://www.instagram.com/juliettecarton/?hl=en  Some links to things she mentioned: Follow link to the overflow https://chat.whatsapp.com/JpRtPLPI0bA18vumOP1zmR  Discord :  https://discord.gg/XdzrNJYSqM  Or: https://discord.gg/ruamf3dkeD  Another link for signal messenger trainee group https://signal.group/#CjQKIHrXE0Eg_0_rKkf5P_kKv9obFeAP5P8HFqd8evwSeE0GEhC25WikaCNvqcOrhEdINOOk 

Camera operator Zoe Goodwin-Stuart ACO,  joins me for a great chat about everything operator related, with lots of technical advice and tips, working with different equipment, the dreaded stand-up sit-down shot and a lot more stories and information she has gathered over her 20 year career.  https://www.instagram.com/zoegscam/ 

Today's episode features Focus Puller Emma Friend. Emma is an extremely experienced 1st AC, and she talks to me about her journey, working with operators, navigating actors and directors, staying calm in stressful situations and lots of other techinical aspects of being a solid focus puller.  https://www.instagram.com/emski25/ 

Rebecca is a camera operator based in New York. She came up as a focus puller and has operated on the TV show Orange is the New Black, the Ray Donovan film and many other projects. We dive into the details of being an operator, handheld vs dolly operating, getting better at the craft, managing a team and managing stress in between many more things. Enjoy!

Ashlea is an awesome operator and an awesomer friend. We talk about her start in the industry, jumping from loading to operating, navigating the industry as a woman, how to get your foot in the door, and a bunch of other great things. Enjoy! Follow her on: https://www.instagram.com/ashlea_downes/ 

Faith is a focus puller based in Los Angeles. In this chat we talk about so many things including her path in the industry, mentorship, some tips for focus pulling, some challenges she faced, being part of a union, the relationship between the focus puller and operator, team work, the importance of kindness. 

Hannah Jell is a camera operator in London who I had the pleasure of interviewing. We talk about her stepping up into operating after being a loader, how she works with her team, the importance of fitness and how to be put yourself out there on instagram. Follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/steadi.jell/?hl=en 

Steadicam operator Ilana Garrard ACO/Assoc BSC talks about her beginnings as a camera operator, working with a steadicam, the challenges of the job and how to network.  Links: https://www.instagram.com/ilanagarrard/  https://tiffen.com/pages/flysteadicam  https://opticalsupport.com/2016/07/15/steadicam-camera-stabilising-courses-from-optical-support/