Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Saban.
Hi Rose, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’d like to think I’ve always been a creative person. I started dancing when I was younger, inspired to start by the movie “Barbie in the Nutcracker,” and continued throughout high school. I was in art classes and guitar lessons growing up too. In high school, I pursued photography as a career. I was a part of the yearbook team, carrying a camera with me every day, photographing sporting events and school rallies. I became obsessed with finding the perfect shot and being able to freeze moments in time. I was invited on my first short film set in my senior year by my friend. He started his own production company, Something Pro, to create short films and web content. I got my start as a behind-the-scenes photographer capturing the collaboration of a team at work. I kept being invited back to his sets until I soon found myself being the Cinematographer before I even truly understood what that meant.
I attended Moorpark Community College first, being a part of their Film Television and Media Arts department and participating in various productions. In my first semester, I decided that shooting films was what I wanted to do with my life, and I transferred to Chapman University in 2019. After a gap year due to covid, I graduated with a BFA in Film Production with an emphasis in Cinematography in December 2022. Now I’m freelancing on film and commercial sets while working on my reel and building connections with other filmmakers.
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?
I think a creative person’s harshest critic is themselves, and I am definitely not an exception. A good rule that I have is if my latest project is better than my last one then I’m happy. It’s difficult to be 100% satisfied with your shots or lighting because you’re always going to look for improvement and strive to be better. Art is such a unique and individual thing. No one else thinks exactly the way you do or expresses themselves in the same manner. The last thing you need is for your biggest supporter (aka you) to be against you.
Finding my people has also been a challenge for me, although we can share similar experiences, everyone processes and moves through life in their own way. I’m so lucky to have finally found amazing friends that I can collaborate with because being in a creative field like the film industry is already a struggle in itself. I now surround myself with people that have a similar work ethic and inspire me to become an exceptional version of myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Cinematographer (or Director of Photography) which is essentially the person who visually brings a story to life. As a visual storyteller, I work closely with Directors to develop a look that will best serve the story. This relationship is my favorite part of being a filmmaker. The greatest feeling to have on set is the Director say that the shot is exactly what they imagined in their head.
While working their way up in their careers, Cinematographers wear multiple hats. That being said, I also work as a 1st and 2nd assistant camera as well as on grip and lighting teams. All those roles work under the Director of Photography. My experience lies is in short films and commercials; I recently finished shooting a dark comedy short that centers around two bomb diffusers on a job gone wrong. While I enjoy comedies and dramas, I am looking to branch out into other forms of media like television and music videos; but my next goal is to start shooting more horror-based projects as it’s my favorite genre of film.
Any big plans?
My long-term goal is to shoot a feature film I can connect with, because when I am passionate about the story I am telling and the image I am creating it’s my best work. I know the path to becoming a Feature Film Cinematographer will not be linear, but I hope to continue working with the filmmakers I’ve developed strong connections with already because they are some of the most talented people I know. I have a few short-term goals to shoot even more films, expand my network, and meet filmmakers. I want to keep myself open for opportunities to learn and grow as a person and creative. I’m excited to see what the future holds and where my career will take me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rose.saban/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-saban/
Image Credits
Ash Bhasin, Kristen Gao, Katie Ann O’Keefe
