Cinematography & The Fundamentals of the Craft - Robert Machado
Mar 18, 2024
auto_awesome
This podcast explores the journey and evolution of cinematographer Robert Machado, from his passion for photography to his leadership role in cinematography. Topics include navigating monitor challenges, creative decision-making on film sets, reflections on YouTube journey, and the significance of mentorship in visual storytelling.
Transition from Las Vegas to cinematography fostered personal connections in a tight-knit film community.
Evolution from technical precision to emotional impact as a cinematographer, focusing on crew collaboration and leadership.
Balancing creative autonomy and collaboration with directors, emphasizing trust and effective communication in film production relationships.
Deep dives
Transitioning to Cinematography and Las Vegas as Home
Starting out in Las Vegas, cinematographer Robert Machado discusses his roots and transition to cinematography. Despite Las Vegas being a small town compared to LA, Machado finds comfort in its tight-knit film community, fostering personal connections with fellow professionals. His journey reflects a deliberate choice to pursue behind-the-camera roles, leaning towards DP-ing early on, showcasing a different market dynamic in Vegas with abundant corporate and event work.
Exploring Technical Expertise and Leadership Traits
Machado delves into the technical and leadership aspects of being a cinematographer, sharing insights on the evolution of his approach. Emphasizing the reliance on technical precision early in his career, he now prioritizes achieving emotional impact over technical perfection. He highlights the importance of fostering crew collaboration and establishing leadership through example, navigating challenges of hierarchy on film sets with a fine balance of technical expertise and interpersonal skills.
Balancing Creative Vision and Collaborative Dynamics
Discussing the dynamics of creative decision-making, Machado reflects on navigating relationships with directors and crew members. Balancing creative autonomy and collaboration, he shares experiences of advocating for creative ideas while maintaining flexibility to adapt to diverse directorial styles. Machado underscores the significance of trust and effective communication in fostering strong working relationships, shedding light on the nuanced diplomatic and political aspects prevalent in film production.
Balancing Commercial Work and Documentary Projects
The speaker discusses the balance between working on commercial projects and documentary films, expressing a preference for commercials due to the creative freedom and infrastructure available. They highlight the importance of creative control and the enjoyment derived from making things look visually appealing in commercials, while documentaries offer a more profound impact on humanity. Despite the occasional documentary work, the speaker emphasizes the creative freedom and flexibility experienced in recent commercial projects.
Personal Approach to YouTube and Content Creation
The speaker reflects on their journey with YouTube, describing it as a therapeutic outlet for expressing personal experiences and connecting with viewers. They discuss their relaxed approach to YouTube content creation, focusing on personal enjoyment rather than aiming for specific goals or high viewership. Through sharing personal struggles and thoughts, they aim to create relatable and authentic content for their audience, emphasizing the importance of self-expression and creative fulfillment over external validation or metrics.
