Meet Giovanna Vittone of Culver City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Giovanna Vittone.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My creative journey actually began long before I ever stepped onto a film set. I was a recreational and competitive dancer starting at just 3 years old, and I spent 15 years training, performing, and competing. Dance was my first language. It taught me discipline, storytelling, musicality, and how to collaborate within an ensemble. For a long time, I truly believed I would pursue it professionally.

But in 2014, as a freshman at Nature Coast Technical High School (Brooksville, FL), I enrolled in a Digital Video Production class and something unexpected happened. I fell in love with filmmaking. What started as curiosity quickly turned into clarity. By the time I graduated, I found myself facing a defining choice: continue down the path of dance, or take a leap into film. I chose film and I’ve never looked back.

I went on to attend Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL), where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Film, graduating with a 4.0 GPA in May 2020. A few months later, in September 2020, I packed up and moved to Los Angeles to fully commit to building a career in the industry.

My first job on a professional set was in March 2021 as a Health & Safety Set PA. It was a unique time to enter the industry, but it gave me an incredible foundation and introduced me to some amazing projects including Season 5 of Insecure and working on Steven Spielberg’s, The Fabelmans. Being on sets of that scale so early on was both humbling and motivating.

In October 2021, I began working at Keslow Camera, a camera rental house that truly became my second film school. Over nearly 3 years (on and off), I immersed myself in the technical side of the craft learning the ins and outs of camera systems, lenses, builds, and workflow. That experience gave me not just knowledge, but confidence. During that time, camera crews would occasionally bring me onto commercials, shows, and films, allowing me to gain hands-on experience across different teams and shooting styles.

One of my biggest leaps of faith was stepping fully into the camera department for the Michael Jackson biopic, where I worked as a Camera PA. That experience solidified for me that this is exactly where I belong. I learned an immense amount from an incredibly talented team and saw firsthand the level of precision, collaboration, and artistry that goes into large-scale filmmaking.

I’m now working on a Netflix series and continuing to grow within the camera department. Through this show, I officially joined IATSE Local 600, the International Cinematographers Guild. A milestone that feels incredibly meaningful and full-circle.

When I look back, it’s clear that dance and film were never separate. They both taught me how to tell stories through movement, rhythm, and emotion. Choosing between them felt impossible at the time, but betting on film was ultimately betting on myself. Every step since has affirmed that decision. I’m incredibly grateful for the momentum I’m building and feel energized about what 2026 and beyond will bring. This is only the beginning.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road but I think that’s what’s made it meaningful.

Breaking into the film industry, especially during 2020 and the height of COVID protocols, came with a unique set of challenges. My first role as a Health & Safety PA was incredibly valuable, but it wasn’t the glamorous introduction to filmmaking people might imagine. It required long hours, adaptability, and a willingness to show up with a positive attitude in high-pressure situations. It taught me humility and work ethic very quickly.

There were also moments of uncertainty. Moving to Los Angeles without a built-in network meant I had to build relationships from the ground up. Working at Keslow Camera was an education in itself, but there were periods where I was balancing rental house hours while waiting for opportunities to step onto set. That in-between space (wanting to grow but having to be patient) was one of the harder mental challenges.

And of course, choosing between dance and film was its own emotional crossroads. Walking away from something I had dedicated 15 years to wasn’t easy. There were moments where I questioned if I made the right decision.

But each of those challenges strengthened me. They forced me to develop resilience, technical mastery, and confidence in rooms where I was often one of the newer or younger voices. I’ve learned that growth in this industry isn’t linear. It’s built on consistency, relationships, and being prepared when opportunity meets you.

Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the obstacles. They’ve shaped not just my career, but my character.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in the camera department, where I’ve built my foundation from the ground up, starting as a Camera PA and growing into a trusted, technically fluent team member on set. My specialty lies in understanding both the artistry and the mechanics of cinematography. Because of my time at Keslow Camera, I developed a deep knowledge of camera systems, lenses, builds, and workflow which allows me to step onto set not just eager, but prepared.

I’m known for being calm under pressure, highly observant, and detail-oriented. The camera department is a space where precision matters, and I take a lot of pride in being someone my team can rely on. I anticipate needs, move quickly, and respect the chain of command while still staying proactive. I think my background in dance also plays a role here. I understand rhythm, blocking, spatial awareness, and how movement translates on screen.

What I’m most proud of is that every opportunity I’ve earned has been built through consistency, relationships, and reputation. Joining Local 600 while working on a Netflix series was a major milestone for me, not just professionally, but personally. It represented years of quiet preparation finally meeting opportunity.

What sets me apart is the combination of technical fluency and creative sensitivity. I care deeply about the story being told, not just the equipment capturing it. I’m equally comfortable discussing lens characteristics as I am analyzing how a shot feels emotionally. I approach every set with humility, hunger to learn, and a long-term mindset. I’m not chasing quick wins. I’m building a career with intention.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t think of myself as reckless, but I do believe in intentional risk.

For me, risk isn’t about making impulsive decisions. It’s about recognizing when growth requires discomfort and choosing to lean in anyway. Every meaningful step in my career has required some form of risk.

Choosing film over dance was my first major one. I had dedicated 15 years to dance and seriously considered pursuing it professionally. Walking away from something I was skilled and confident in to pursue a career in film (where I was starting from zero) felt terrifying. But I knew that if I didn’t try, I would always wonder.

Moving to Los Angeles in 2020 at the ripe age of 21 years old, was another leap. I didn’t have built-in connections or family in the industry. I was entering the most competitive field during a global pandemic. It would have been safer to stay where things were familiar… But growth rarely lives there.

One of the biggest professional risks I took was stepping fully into the camera department on a major feature like the Michael Jackson biopic. Large-scale productions can be intimidating environments, and there’s nowhere to hide. You either rise to the level of expectation or you don’t. But I trusted my preparation, my work ethic, and the foundation I had built.

More recently, joining the IATSE Local 600 union felt like another level of commitment. A decision to fully claim my place in this industry rather than just participate in it. With each step up comes higher expectations, more responsibility, and greater visibility. That’s a risk in itself, but it’s the kind that signals growth.

I view risk as a necessary part of evolution. If something scares me but aligns with where I want to go long term, I pay attention to that. I don’t chase chaos, I chase expansion.

At this point in my career, I’ve learned that betting on yourself is always a risk. But staying still can be a bigger one.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @giovannavittone