I received the email below via the Movie Photos web site, Boy. Oh Boy this kind of feedback makes it all worthwhile!!!!… To be honest Movie Photos was never a money making project and whilst we have recouped some of the investment of producing/designing and marketing the publication we are surely out of pocket….. But the fundamental idea behind it was to share information, considering the film biz and to some extent the TV industry are both relatively impenetrable I wanted to break down some of the barriers to what can be an extremely rewarding both artistically and financially area of the photographic industry to work in. Why is it so impenetrable? Well! More than anything it is the physical nature of the Film Biz that makes it so hard to pin down… Film companies by their very nature establish and dissolve with each production, so do for that matter a lot of independent TV productions therefore making it almost impossible to as such find any body or thing to Apply too for a job or even for that matter a little information. Now some areas of the industry are a bit more tangible. For Example: say one was interested in Visual Effects…. Then one could Weddle out and pin down possible companies who specialize in this area to whom one could apply for say in the first instance ‘Work Experience”. The same can be said for several other areas of the film and TV industry: Special effects, Grip companies, Lighting companies. Even colleges do not offer courses or much if any info in Film stills photography, and yet there are tens if not hundreds of courses available in moving camera related topics and lighting, Script writing, Directing and no doubt many more film related areas. Alas working in the industry as a stills photographer there is little or know way of getting much info unless people like me share our experience and knowledge. Hence Movie Photos…. and this BLOG… The icing on the cake for me is feedback such as the text below that not only acknowledges an initial influx of fact but helps to encourage and support further development in the art of producing quality commercial viable stills photography on film and TV sets. Encouragement to me as I finalize the next chapter… Movie Photos Digital work flow… Soon to be available… Hi Alex
I received my copy of your book last week and have enjoyed it
tremendously – I am a stills photographer based in Scotland, with 10
years experience of shooting stills and I am not embarrassed to admit
that I have learned loads just from picking up your book. I guess its
because its such a mysterious trade – and there is no one to ask
questions of…………so to finally have a book to refer to is
brilliant. It is also inspiring – it is too easy for the the stills
photographer to get despondent……not enough time, can’t get fellow
crew to co-operate etc etc, but already I feel a new sense of vigour
in approaching a days work on set……… I am the stills
photographer & I will not take no for an answer!
thanks again ….. neil davidson http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0203446/
I just wanted to second what was sent to you about your Movie Photos book and blog. I have been following your blog and have read your book, all while building up a portfolio for IATSE union submission here in Vancouver, Canada.
I have found both to be a source of inspiration, and the blog in particular has included valuable posts from you as well as other still photographers about the industry (esp. Larry Horricks). If nothing else, it has been great to hear dialog from photographers in the industry – giving hope that you can make a living at this job.
Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks and keep up the good work. You have played a role in getting me to my goal of IATSE union status – which I am thrilled to say I just received today! Hopefully I can contribute to your blog and like you help others navigate the confusing world of unit stills photography.
David Bukach
http://www.bukachmoviestills.com
PS Congrats on the baby – exciting times!