Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Suppa.
Hi Drew, 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 was a kid enamored by my favorite things being immortalized on screen in experiences I could never fathom… seeing a T-Rex decimate an SUV and watching the Titanic succumb to the North Atlantic. The toys I played with as a child became central to stories, and I got to see characters as enamored by them as I was when I was deep into my imagination.
My father was notoriously horrible with the home camcorder on my childhood vacations, so when he bought a new one, I became the resident cameraman… which then meant I could start filming my movies with toys and eventually friends. The love of the craft became a career path when I was accepted to the University of Central Florida’s limited-access Film BFA program, and solidified when I moved to Los Angeles with every penny I had to my name.
Can you talk to us 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’m actively pursuing multiple disciplines in entertainment; I’m a Cinematographer and IATSE 600 Camera Operator who’s had the opportunity to learn from amazing DPs and lighting technicians, an Editor for Paramount+, and past that, I write, direct and compose. My career would probably be smoother sailing if I’d picked one role, but in the freelance world, it’s good to have options.
This has not been a smooth road. I’ve had both the feast and famine that many explain is the nature of this freelance industry. Just this year alone, I applied for a job I was one of only a few applicants with the acute skillset necessary and it turns out the whole job listing and application process were part of a scam; despite a detailed list of interview questions and vetting those I was talking to on a real company’s corporate line and a business website, these scammers defrauded me and my bank had to put a stop to it. I’ve also had six big jobs this last half year vanish or push until 2023. I’m still recovering from both of these things.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Seeing my name in the end credits of both a Scorcese and Spielberg film was a career milestone for me, regardless of how small my part in production was (I was part of plates units on The Irishman and The Post, along with others). Filling in as an A Camera Operator on Grey’s Anatomy and seeing my work consistently through episodes made me feel like I’d finally started living my childhood dream.
I’d like to think creative problem-solving is what sets me apart. On some productions, you get the green light for specialized gear and crew, whilst on others, you have to make do with what you have. Every day presents new challenges, and I wouldn’t trade this for a desk job ever. Except for when I’m editing… it’s been nice during this pandemic to be able to work from home in my studio.
I’m hoping the big thing that sets me apart is my mind. I’ve recently begun writing and directing — childhood dreams that died with an English minor in college — and my most recent film, Hindsight, made during the height of the pandemic has recently been winning laurels and awards at domestic film festivals. I’ve just started talks with a great literary agent about getting a limited series SciFi show off the ground, and I truly believe a story of this scope is going to land with a generation hoping for this unfathomable tale.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Some risks are worth it, others are not. I’ve done some really stupid things in my personal and professional life, but with IATSE training (and some physical therapy) I’ve learned I’m not trying to impress anyone with my strength anymore. My spine, knees, and ankles are the things that are going to keep me ambulating until the day I die, so I’ve got to take better care of them.
This means always finding ways to get shots safely, and always having a team to do the heavy lifting. Not having a 9-to-5 or a matched 401K is the first risk in this industry. Being physically on fire and nearly being mauled by a lion were others. At the end of the day, I’m confident I’m one of the most interesting people in any room I enter.
Contact Info:
- Website: drewsuppa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thmostinterestingmanintheworld/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/civil_shepherd
Image Credits
James LaMarr
