Ep38: Cinematographer Ben Saffer

Aaron Adrian Rogers is a UK-based cinematographer. In this episode, we take a deep dive into his time as a C cam op and 2nd unit DP on HBO’s Avenue 5 and House of the Dragon and Netflix’s The Gentlemen. We discuss war stories, lessons learnt, working with operators, and lots more! We also discuss Aaron’s youth work and how he juggles DP work and fatherhood.  Aaron’s site: https://www.aaronrogersdop.com/   Work discussed: Short Film POMMEL: https://vimeo.com/395053312 Avenue 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Zr3f-_Ft8 House of the Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNwwt25mheo The Gentlemen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnpfKsqeMrM   --- Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/t4YEZbJzrC Donate to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cotl Check out our website: https://www.cinematographersontheloose.com/ Follow us on IG & Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/  

Check out our new website! https://www.cinematographersontheloose.com/ --- Adam Barnett is a London-based DP. A graduate of the NFTS, he is prolific in the short form world and recently lensed an episode of Netflix’s ‘Champion’. We discuss Adam’s background, the nature of cinematography at the boundary of art and commerce, stories from filming ‘Champion’ in Jamaica, and so much more! Some of the things we discuss in the ep: Lucy Blue Music video: http://www.adambarnettdop.com/lucy-blue-taxi-driver Champion: Netflix / iplayer https://www.netflix.com/title/81478663 Short Film 'They Found Her in a Field': http://www.adambarnettdop.com/tfhia Adam's site: http://www.adambarnettdop.com Adam's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/adambarnettdop/ --- Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/t4YEZbJzrC Donate to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cotl Check out our website: https://www.cinematographersontheloose.com/   Follow us on IG & Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/  

Craig Dean Devine is a UK-based Cinematographer working primarily in TV drama and features. In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, we discuss everything from mental health and Craig’s podcast to how Warhammer taught him to light; from dealing with stepping onto bigger projects and how to work with crew to shooting in Tanzania and so much more! Here's some of the things we discuss during the ep: Craig’s “Butter Wouldn’t Melt” Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dFcjJwozMV5O97qq1tpAE?si=273c18177222430c School Spirits: https://www.craigdeandevine.com/school-spirits American Horror Stories: https://www.craigdeandevine.com/three-brothers-2 Derry Girls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddA0Vh5v0LM Pili: https://www.craigdeandevine.com/pili Short Film “The Entertainer”: https://www.craigdeandevine.com/the-entertainer --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/  

Kate Arizmendi is a New York-based cinematographer. Her work includes Succession S4, feature films Monica, National Anthem and Swallow, and 2nd Unit work on Dune, shot by Greg Fraiser, and Cyrano, shot by Seamus McGarvey. Kate’s website: https://www.katelinarizmendi.com Kate's IG: https://www.instagram.com/katearizmendi/?hl=en Projects discussed during the episode: MONICA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b8FpmXvcLM Bvlgari: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j41MLvMyrE&t=2s SWALLOW: https://www.katelinarizmendi.com/swallow National anthem: https://www.katelinarizmendi.com/national-anthem Succession S4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3D3ewle7XY Dune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4 Sons of my country: https://vimeo.com/714022470 Robby muller polaroid book: https://www.wolf-books.com/products/robby-muller-polaroid-interior-exterior Vincent Haycock music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L12ORqw6R7A Cyrano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e8apSFDXsQ --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/  

Ben Saffer is a London-based cinematographer. We chat about his first feature, his prep process, his use of cine tracer and unreal engine for previs and his time as a DIT. Links to things we discuss in the show: A kind of kidnapping (Feature Film): https://www.bensaffer.com/a-kind-of-kidnapping No time to die – Matera sequence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iIO3qG1E_0 Chris Courbald - Team Deakins: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0QXdCpTwOyBnER1ABNOwSz?si=ce5a6e507f4f40ef Mark Patton BSC: https://www.markpatten.tv Ben’s Instagram – Featuring “Unreal vs Final shot”: https://www.instagram.com/bensaffer/?hl=en CineTracer: https://www.cinetracer.com Polycam: https://poly.cam Andrew Rowlands: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0746756/ --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/    

In this episode, we talk to Callum Just, founder of UK-based Digital Orchard. Callum was one of the first DITs in the UK film industry and founded Digital Orchard 13 years ago to provide highly trained technicians and comprehensive workflow solutions for cinematographers. He has grown the company to deliver services on digital, film and hybrid shoots from on-set technicians and dailies through to scanning and post.  Callum was the first DIT to join the GBCT in 2011. He worked on both Murder On The Orient Express and Death on the Nile, both shot on 65mm. Alongside their core business, Digital Orchard are dedicated to making positive change in the industry to tackle inequality through their Foundation department.  Anyone interested in mentoring can contact the Digital Orchard Foundation at [email protected] Callum's IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2758462/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/

Alice Seabright is a writer and director. She directed eps 4 and 5 of Sex Education S2 before going on to create and show run the BBC1 / Amazon Studios series Chloe.    In this wide ranging and honest conversation, we cover everything from philosophy and mindset to interpersonal relationships on set, developing a visual language for a show, the nitty gritty of where a director should stand and how directors, DPs and operators work together, and the process of pitching, writing and setting up your own show as a showrunner.   Alice’s work: PREGNANT PAUSE – Short film https://vimeo.com/243605444 SEX EDUCATION - https://www.netflix.com/title/80197526 CHLOE - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0b69pc5/chloe   Things discussed during the ep: Walter Murch Book – Behind the Seen https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780735714267/Behind-Seen-Walter-Murch-Edited-0735714266/plp Rick Rubin Book - https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-creative-act/rick-rubin//9781838858636?awaid=3787&referrer=awin&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqs6lBhCxARIsAG8YcDgOYSNQ4CRS-dnWt1Ri8Gfx1SpCWyxy3uWqXDUvYx4PAm1veNo7a8YaAil-EALw_wcB Directors take podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SxfFVcpmih71NwbMvOON4?si=9cd95ecd2a1c46df Chloé Zhao - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloé_Zhao I know this much is true - https://www.hbo.com/i-know-this-much-is-true Catherine Goldschmidt - https://www.instagram.com/cgdop Jamie Cairney - https://www.instagram.com/jamiecairneydop/ Ilana Garrard - https://www.instagram.com/ilanagarrard/ --- This episode is sponsored by Rexy Wheels.  Rexy Wheels are cinematic handwheels purpose built for gaming. Control the X/Y axis on a computer just like a camera operator controls pan and tilt with wheels on set. This allows you to hone your wheel skills while having fun gaming at home! Check them out on https://www.rexygaming.com/ Reach out to Rexy on instagram with any questions you might have! https://www.instagram.com/rexywheels/ --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/  

George Rumsey is a below-the-line agent at Independent Talent Group. He rose to prominence in the UK short form world as the Head of Commercials at Panavision before joining Indepedent Talent in November 2021.  We chat to George about his journey through the industry before diving into the world of the agent - what does it mean to represent directors of photography, how do agents and DPs work together, and how can young cinematographers approach the question of how and at what point of their career to get an agent? BSC Show 2023 Panel - TV Drama in practice: https://vimeo.com/806761925 Lots of DPs are mentioned in this episode, but the ones mentioned by first name only are: Olan Collardy, Rick Joaquim, Eben Bolter BSC - all three of whom also happen to be past guests on our podcast! --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/  

We sit down for a frank, honest and very entertaining chat with director KC Locke (@kc.locke). We talk music videos, the Manchester scene, and KC’s journey from one-man band to building his production company, Swords & Eagles (@swordsandeagles), who today are prolific creators of some of the most innovative music videos in the UK.  Since recording this episode last year, KC has signed with a US rep, Swords & Eagles are going from strength to strength, and their new showreel has launched and you can see it here: https://www.swordsandeagles.com/   Here are some of the people discussed in the episode:   Swords & Eagles family: Jenny O’Sullivan (@jennyosullivan4) Lewis N (@_lewisnicholson) Jamil Shaukat (@friendlydictator) Danny Usman (@therealuzzey)   Agent Marisa Garner: https://www.marisagarnerassociates.com Action99 Cars (@action99cars) Phil Arntz (@philarntz) Stefan Yap (@stefanyapdop) G6 Moco (@g6moco)   Jobs discussed:   Take me back to London https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJQy_R9CYR4 Lola Young with motion control https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVbs5--NrJg Warzone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cd249MDLzQ Ruroc https://kclocke.com/commercial/2020/7/18/kd23f6ymdb7uirk27f35ydrcbot1lr  https://kclocke.com/commercial/2021/7/28/mhnjj06j4bus5p4ij4yyeluzi7zpqn Respect the come up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6-2l1o_6Iw Aitch learning curve https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpuIKVn5rsU  Tom Greenan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pldBRhJjOKE Pip millet ride with me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdadFmZWl5I Welcome to the hood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIRr1SD_TL0Meeks - Can’t Stop Won’t Stop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcG8c_KxeJ4 --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/  

Rick Joaquim SASC is a DP based in London working in Narrative, Commercials and Music Videos. His work has been included in the ARRI Camera Showreel 2019, as Official Selection for Sundance Film Festival 2021 and Cannes Film Festival 2022 and and most recently he won "Best Achievement in Cinematography in a Documentary " at the South African Film & Television Awards 2022 (SAFTA's). We discuss Rick’s early career in South Africa and his decision to move to London. We go into agents, pre production workflow, the interview process, lenses, filtration, and much more! Here’s links to some of the things we cover in the podcast: Bassam Tariq Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Kbn3Ars7i1xktzGHN45Fy?si=bGDRjHPtRIWwsulN6i7hkw&nd=1 “Little Big Mouth” Feature https://vimeo.com/638559098 “Can They See Us” Feature https://vimeo.com/760436522 Bronze Glimmerglass https://vimeo.com/162425508 Tommi’s recent job with Lomo Roundfronts https://thomasterminet.com/portfolio/textile-exchange-materials-matter Landscapers https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/erik-wilson-bsc-landscapers/ Jess Hall ASC http://www.jesshalldop.com Scriptation https://scriptation.com --- Follow Cinematographers On The Loose on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/cinematographersontheloose https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cinematographers-On-The-Loose-104520677909322/