Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Fytelson.
Dana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was always drawn to cameras and lighting but I never thought it was practical so I started college as a chemistry major. About two years in I came to the realization that the rest of my life was going to be in a lab or in a classroom and as someone who has doesn’t like to sit still, that terrified me. My parents nudged me in the direction of filmmaking and I switched my major within days. I took two years off between undergraduate at American University and graduate school at Florida State University where I received an MFA in Production, concentration in Cinematography, and of those two years I spent one year in AmeriCorps NCCC traveling around the midwest completing community services projects and experiencing different communities and cultures. Those experiences solidified my decision to pursue filmmaking as a career and I haven’t looked back since!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry doesn’t exactly lead to a smooth road, but it’s progressively getting better!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a cinematographer based in LA known for a realistic, natural look and an unparalleled handheld style of shooting. Most of the directors I’ve worked with compliment my framing and camera movement as well as the added production value that comes with my ability to work with the tools given to me (afforded by the budget).
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
A little cliché here but my favorite memories from childhood are summers spend down the shore in Jersey with my friends and family. I still try to get back at least once during the summer. My extended family spends a week down the shore every July and I’ve missed the past few years, but hopefully I can get there next year!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danafytelson.com
- Email: dana.fytelson@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danafyte/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dana.fytelson
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaFyte
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