Check Out Kathrin Asmus’ Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Kathrin Asmus.

Hi Kathrin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m currently located in Los Angeles, California and I work in the film industry. I’m specialized in the camera department. It’s been a wild journey for me and overall, I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve been able to collect throughout the last years.

I’m originally from a small town near Vienna, Austria – far away from the big city of angels. Since my early childhood, I found great joy and fascination in stories and alternative worlds.

Books, TV series, and movies have always had a significant impact on my life – just as much as cameras. Growing up in the 2000s, I witnessed the development and improvement of many electronics. My father, who is a big believer in understanding new technologies, introduced me to the then-new digital cameras. I instantly fell in love with cameras and the way they work. I’d constantly borrow his or sneak it out of his office to take photos. Eventually, I became the designated vacation photographer for our family.

My mother, who used to be a hobby photographer herself, supported my interest as well, and it came as no surprise when I wished for my own professional camera at a young age. Finally, as a teenager, I realized that filmmaking is just my two favorite things combined, and I became obsessed with learning more about how my favorite movies and shows were made. It became a seemingly unreachable dream of mine to work in this field one day.

Prior to coming to the US, I pursued a BFA in marketing and advertising, along with event management. I followed my studies with internships in this field, which made me realize rather quickly that this path wouldn’t bring me the fulfillment I was looking for.

Due to that realization, I moved to the US in 2019 to follow my long dream to participate in a one-year filmmaking workshop. Like many international students, I applied for an OPT work permit after completing my studies, followed by an O1 artist visa.

Securing a work visa as an international professional is a demanding process, a battle really, requiring extensive preparation as well as the guidance of a skilled lawyer. Fortunately, I was able to demonstrate my value, and I was granted my artist work visa.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I personally do not believe in such a thing as a “smooth road” in life. There are always obstacles – but as cliché as this may sound, they are essential for our personal growth.

When I came to the US pre-pandemic, life felt good – amazing even. I was finally studying something I cared deeply about, making new connections, and living in the country I had dreamed of since my teenage years. However, halfway through my studies, COVID struck, throwing many of my plans into uncertainty. What was supposed to be an immersive, hands-on learning experience turned into a challenge as my classes moved online and access to filmmaking equipment became limited. It affected the quality of my studies enormously.

After all, how am I supposed to learn filmmaking up close without really learning how all the equipment works in person? Let’s just say it was a chaotic mess that nobody could foresee, and therefore, it caught everyone off guard. To make the most of my education, I decided to pause my studies and return to Austria to be with my family during these challenging times. Meanwhile, as an international student on an F1 visa, I faced additional hurdles due to policies enacted during the Trump administration. F1 students were asked to leave the country and were also forbidden to enter the US. Therefore, I found myself stuck in Austria, unsure if or when I could return to the US, all the while continuing to pay rent for my apartment and other various bills in Los Angeles.

Fortunately, famous universities pushed back against the ban, and once it was lifted, I returned to the US to complete my final trimester of studies. I finally graduated at the beginning of 2021 with the pandemic in full force. Finishing my studies meant obtaining my OPT work permit and finally being able to seek paid employment in my desired field of work. I was eager to maximize my opportunities and make the most of my limited one-year work visa period. However, the ongoing pandemic has left deep marks, and the film industry has taken a strong hit as well.

Eventually new rules and adaptations were formed that started to make it easier for everyone involved. Due to limited possibilities, I found myself accepting every job I could get. This led to me accepting a lot of jobs that were obviously underpaid and lacking in professionalism. At that time, it felt extremely frustrating, but looking back now, I realize I needed these experiences to grow into who I am today. Overall, I consider myself lucky because I was able to find great opportunities and make the most out of my OPT work permit.

Once my OPT period had finished, I started the process for the O1 visa, which would grant me the right to stay and work in the US as an artist for up to three years. As expected, the battle for the visa was very time-consuming, taking nearly a year before I was able to return to LA. While a year may not seem long, many of the contacts I had made during my OPT time had moved on. Former classmates and even some close friends had left LA to return to their home countries.

On top of all these things, I came back to one of the biggest strikes in the history of the film industry, which added another layer of challenge. It felt like starting from scratch like my one year of hard work was forgotten, and I faced the task of proving myself again. It’s been over a year since I returned, and the effects of the strike are still noticeable.

Like many others in this field, I left my home country with the dream of working in Hollywood. Leaving behind my established life as well as my family and friends already calls for a bumpy road itself – yet I could not have foreseen the additional difficulties I would encounter.

In the end, these experiences humbled me and forced me to leave my naïve view of Hollywood and this industry behind. And that’s okay because I needed that. They showed me the power of passion and determination in achieving goals that lie within me while also grounding me and teaching me to appreciate life’s smaller joys.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a cinematographer and additionally I work any possible position in the camera department. Cameras have been my passion since a young age and therefore any role within this field sparks my joy and interest. While my favorite position is being the Director of Photography, I also love and thrive as a Camera Operator and 2nd Assistant Camera.

The project I am most proud of this year as cinematographer is an advertisement I shot for a well-established beauty company. It turned out exactly as we had envisioned and we have gotten a lot of positive feedback on it. We are currently in the talks for another one.

As a camera department worker, I’m particularly proud of two very different projects. First, I had the opportunity to work on the FOX series “911 Lone Star,” where I gained invaluable new experiences since it’s a different type of format than I’m usually used to.

Second is a Feature Film I was part of in May titled “Smile.” It was the first set where I was paid to travel for work, which is something that I had always wanted to experience. Moreover, the set was immensely significant to me because of the learning opportunities. The environment was supportive, respectful, and nurturing, and I am grateful for the chance to have been a part of it.

I’d personally say that something that sets me apart from others is that I treat every project, no matter what size or level of production, with the same dedication and care. Furthermore, I am someone who values thorough preparation and organization during the pre-production stage. The set can be hectic and sometimes even chaotic, which can lead to mistakes and unforeseen problems.

I’m a big believer in preparing carefully and making sure that fundamentals, as well as some beyond, are covered and thought through so that new appearing problems can be sorted as quickly and effectively as possible.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why.
As a cinematographer, I am passionate about finding creative angles that convey the story in a clear and compelling manner.

I am committed to finding interesting ways to portray characters’ feelings as well as their inner thoughts and struggles. I understand that standard shots are often necessary to tell the story clearly. However, I believe there’s always room for creativity, and you can find unique ways to capture those shots.

When it comes to working closely with others, I believe it’s crucial to involve departments early to follow clear communication from the beginning. Making a film is collaborative art, and every single person is needed to get the best possible outcome; therefore, it’s essential to make sure that every person is on the same page. In my opinion, a harmonious relationship requires mutual respect, passion for the craft, clear communication, and care for one another’s well-being.

Lastly, on top of everything else, I believe that even though filmmaking is our career and how we make our living, it should still be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

If you agree with these work ethics, then we are likely a great fit. I’m always looking for new connections and collaborations, so if this sparked your interest, my homepage and some of my social media links are listed below.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kathrinasmus.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrinasmus
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/kathrinasmus