Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Pollini.
Hi Alex, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My interest in film and photography began as a teenager. I grew up on the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the small town of Bishop, California — about 4 hours northeast of Los Angeles. I was introduced to skiing, backpacking, climbing, and other outdoor activities at an early age and spent most of my free time in the mountains. The more I explored Sierra, the stronger my attraction grew for its grandeur and beauty. I wanted to share this affection with others and discovered photography as the medium that could best capture and portray nature as I experienced it. Photography has the power to subconsciously impact an audience and influence their perception of reality. I ultimately wanted my viewers to care about the environment and recognize its fragility.
As my photographic technique matured, I began experimenting with cinematography and motion pictures. Like photography, I found cinema to be a powerful form of communication. When combined with the elements of storytelling, music, editing, and sound design – the effect was amplified.
I left the eastern Sierra to study film production at the University of Montana and eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in cinematography. Over the course of the last decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a range of projects from music videos to short films to documentaries. Today I continue to embrace my passion of creating thought-provoking imagery and encouraging viewers to re-evaluate the world in which they live.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Unfortunately, there are no defined paths to navigating the film industry. There isn’t a book or a course in college that prepares someone to become a full-time cinematographer. It took many years and many mistakes to develop the knowledge and skills that allowed me to earn a living doing what I love. To this day, I’m still learning and growing – reflecting on ways I can improve my technique. One of the greatest challenges I face is taking creative risks, which has a direct correlation to failure and my acceptance of failure. I think if more people were open to new ideas, our world as a whole would be a better place. But we often fear what we don’t know and limit ourselves.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a cinematographer, I personally enjoy blending genres and cinematic techniques. When I shoot documentaries, for example, I try to bring a cinematic quality found in narrative film or commercials. In contrast, I’ll incorporate a “cinema verite” or raw tone when filming commercials or short films. This hybrid approach allows stories to be told through different and refreshing perspectives.
Over the last decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. One of my most notable and recent is the Netflix Original Doc Series “Home Game,” released in summer of 2020. With a crew, I traveled the world filming traditional sports in countries such as the Congo, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, and more. We followed top athletes as they prepared for the final events of their respective sports.
Another project, “Seeing Allred” premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. This documentary explores the career and story of civil rights attorney Gloria Allred. We began working on the documentary in 2014 and filmed over three years amidst the “Me Too” Movement and the Bill Cosby trial, in which Allred represented numerous women who were victimized by Cosby.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m constantly inspired by the subjects and stories I film. Most of these projects stem from a previous collaboration, but sometimes it will be a random cold call. I’m always open to working with new people and I’ve developed many unique and unexpected relationships over the years.
Many of the documentaries I’ve had the opportunity to film tell stories of people underrepresented and overlooked by society. I’d encourage readers to support me by supporting the causes in the films. There are many challenges we face both locally and globally that only can be solved by creating universal awareness and understanding.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alexpollini.com
- Instagram: @alexpollini
Image Credits:
Ethan Sigmon Louis Rodriguez Jennifer Pyo
