Check Out Kieran Armstrong’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kieran Armstrong.

Hi Kieran, 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?
Pinpointing the moment my journey started is a bit difficult, because I’ve loved storytelling since I was a little boy. I used to play outside and then hurry inside to draw and write what I’d imagined. That grew into writing novels and novellas as a teenager, and then student journalism in high school. I entered college wanting to be a screenwriter, and I was extremely impassioned by that future. But the moment I stepped on an actual set, cinematography swept me off my feet. I loved the visual storytelling, the lighting, the symbolism and movement of the camera. I knew that being a DP was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. So I worked my way up through the grip and electric departments for several years, learning and shooting when I could. Now, I’m fortunate enough to be a full-time freelance DP, shooting narrative, documentary and commercial work in Los Angeles! It’s a challenging and demanding job, but I couldn’t be happier.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My fellow below the line folks know that none of these jobs are particularly easy. I spent most of my years as a grip without a car, meaning I’d spend most of what little I made on Ubers and bus rides. But, it made for great experience, and I was honestly happy to be a small part of the process. The discipline and independence necessary to survive in LA as a freelancer is a challenge for sure, and there’s always that looming ‘Will I make rent?’ Feeling. I’ve had to figure out my hustles, diversify my sources of income and make plenty of mistakes along the way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelance director of photography, meaning I specialize in shooting films and commercials with an emphasis in lighting and camera direction. My background in lighting lens tech-ing has rooted my taste in striking visuals and intimate camerawork.

Though it’s taken a long time to feel this way, I’m proud of many of the short films and commercials I’ve shot, including work for Nathan Hayes at MILK Studios and some beautiful short films for a myriad of brilliant directors. I’m also proud that this year, I directed my own short film, which is a very personal story called “The Boy With His Heart in His Hands” and made for one of the most incredible set experiences I’ve ever had.

I think that my writing foundation sets me apart as a DP. Story is everything to me, and it comes first in my approach to each piece I work on. I have a strong sense of narrative cohesion and character, and that’s helped me make smarter decisions as my skills have developed over time.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a huge proponent of Milanote and ShotDeck as cinematography tools. Organization and inspiration are two of the most important parts of the craft, and those two are great, respectively. YouTube is an amazing tool as well, just requires a bit of fact checking and subjectivity. Movies are made in prep, and the more research you can do in pre-production, the more equipped you’ll be to face unexpected challenges when you arrive on set.

The American Cinematographer magazines and handbooks are also invaluable tools for anyone in the camera, grip or electric departments, and I highly recommend subscribing to AC.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://karmstdp.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesnosheckk/

Image Credits
Cary Qian. Nathan Hayes.