Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Stutenroth.
Hi Shannon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I moved from New York two years ago after graduating from Pratt Institute. I’m a freelance cinematographer so I wanted to work on productions that were small enough for me to shoot as I was just starting out but I could move up and begin to shoot bigger stuff as I got more experience. I think thats what LA has to offer over New York sometimes. More is happening the industry as well as the city itself is bigger and goes beyond just commercial work or random indie films.
I moved here with no job and no place to live. I started working at a bar and inserting myself into any conversation that I overheard about film. A lot of camera operators and producers came in for a beer and to vent. I networked everyday while I was serving drinks and was able to get connected with some really amazing people. I would slip them my email on a napkin and eventually, I was able to quit the bar and start freelancing full time!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been extremely hard as well as extremely rewarding. But I’ve had a great support system of friends and family. Not only the struggle of freelancing, having to connect with complete strangers enough for them to hire you but also not knowing where your next job is coming from, how much you’ll get paid or if the work you put in with be worth the outcome.
Not only career-wise but life in general is hard when you start out in a new city. Finding an apartment, making friends, meeting people, navigating my social and personal life while working 12 hour days is not easy but this city is so accessible in so many ways. Even though I’ve lived here for two years, I feel like somehow I’ve traveled the world just within LA county. There’s so much to do and explore and being able to step away from my job and enjoy the really fun aspects of city life has been a breath of fresh air.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a cinematographer. I enjoy shooting Music Videos and narrative films the most! It’s the most rewarding and the most creative for me. Filmmaking is such a team sport and I love being able to work with a crew that I know will give it their all to create beautiful images. I love that cinematography has two sides, the nerdy, technical, formulaic side of the camera, lenses, aspect ratios and all that as well as the lighting, color theory, composition side. I like using both sides of my brain to problem solve. Trying to figure out what will work in one space with certain amount of lights, people and movement. It’s a giant puzzle that I get to move around the parts and see what works.
I’m most proud of a short I shot and directed called Fell Asleep Alone. I had an amazing, supportive crew and cast. Being able to step up to the challenge of directing and directing photography was tough but rewarding. I love the way that the storytelling and imagery intermixed cohesively and it made me realize that Directing is another path I’d like to pursue later in my career.
I think what sets me apart is the way I work with the team as well as my work itself. I believe in respecting each person on set, hearing out their opinions, making sure the director and crew and I take the time and care to understand each other, help each other, do a job well done as well as have fun together. I also believe my footage is unique and I’ll do whatever it takes to get the shot even if it means taking risks, trying something new, going off book and experimenting to create something interesting and maybe a little whacky sometimes! 🙂
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Learning when to say Yes and when to say No. There are a lot of people in this city who are ready and willing to take advantage of you. Being an advocate for yourself is important. I had to learn how to push for the rate that I deserve and sometimes still struggle with that. Asking for the proper gear and hiring on crew you know you can trust is super important. I can look back on some films that I’ve shot where I should have asked for better gear or a better location and the value of the film would have gone way up. It’s really hard sometimes because it’s easy to just be thankful just to HAVE the opportunity to shoot, but there comes a point where you and your work are worth more than working for free!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: shannonstutenroth.com
- Instagram: sh_nn0n
Image Credits:
Cinematographer: Shannon Stutenroth
