Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Roach.
Hi Trevor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As kid growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana, I was always attracted to art and image-making. My childhood consisted of painting, model ship building, and stick-figure comics with my friends. Going into high school, my brothers, friends, and I began to experiment with making short skits and “films” for this new website…YouTube. Seeing how interested I had become making these films (and because I would keep stealing my dad’s home video camera to make them), my Uncle Jeff gifted me my own small digital camcorder – and my passion only grew from there.
I attended Butler University for a BS in Video Production, where I became heavily involved in sports broadcasting, typically as a camera operator. I would do my classes during the day while operating for sporting events around the local area at night. This gave me a large amount of experience very fast, learning to operate in high-stress situations for ESPN, CBS, and FOX while still just a teenager. It also taught me from an early age how much work and long hours can be required of individuals in this industry.
Sports, however, just didn’t quite scratch the creative itch I had, and upon graduation, I went to work for an in-house production studio in Indy. All the while, I still dreamed of making movies and after two years with the company, I applied and was accepted into Chapman University for an MFA in Cinematography.
I was fortunate to find an incredible film family at Chapman, where we surrounded ourselves in the filmmaking process. I was a Kodak Cinematography Award Finalist in 2016 for the film ‘Look at Me’, directed by Andres Gil. The thesis film I was the cinematographer on, ‘Esta Es Tu Cuba’ directed by Brian Robau, won the 2018 Student Academy Award, a 2019 Student Emmy, and earned a Student BAFTA nomination, among a few notable highlights.
Since graduation, I have continued my work as a cinematographer in the film industry – having shot multiple features, short films, mini-series, a nationwide commercial, and music videos.
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?
Like many, the Covid pandemic affected me both professionally and personally. The shutting down of our industry for the better part of two years hurt the momentum myself and others had. I will admit, it was difficult to adjust from walking down the red carpet at the Emmys to months later, work being frozen and the future of your career being put into uncertainty.
Yet, that was nothing in compared to losing my dad in 2021. He had always been a key supporter in my dreams to live in Los Angeles as a cinematographer, and losing one so close to you – someone so pivotal to the development of who you are – can be devastating. Combined with the uncertainty of the film industry during that time, it was a very difficult moment in my life.
However, loss – in the many forms it comes about- provides an opportunity upon reflection to hopefully grow, both as a creative and an individual. I feel art is indented to remind us of the complexity of life, and the closer your work is to that, the more it resonates with others.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work in the Los Angeles film industry as a Cinematographer, predominantly narrative, but also commercial and music videos. There are many highlights to my career so far, including the success of ‘Esta Es Tu Cuba,’ as mentioned earlier. Additionally, winning and attending the Webby’s in 2022 for the hybrid feature ‘Night, Mother’ was a wonderful experience. I don’t think many of us make films with the expectation of awards, but the validation is always nice! It is an incredible feeling to see others not only enjoy your work but also connect with it.
Over the years of working in this career, I have met so many wonderful people from all over the world, many of whom are now some of my closest friends. I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to work with these individuals, but I also love new opportunities with other creatives who can introduce me to a new perspective or technique.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d like to thank VoyageLA for this opportunity to introduce myself, and look forward to what the future holds. I’m eager for the upcoming projects I’ve been working on, but also hope to be introduced to even more creatives in this industry. I feel so fortunate to have the career that I do have, and am living my childhood dream of making movies in this wonderful city!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trevorroachdp.com
- Instagram: @TrevorRoachDP
- Other: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/251596666
