Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Peterkin
Hi Lee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I was a kid growing up in Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow, NY, I knew that I wanted to make movies. I remember feeling so affected by films and how they made me feel during them, and the lingering emotions and thoughts I’d have long after the credits rolled. The closest I could get to the artform at five years old was performing in a school play of Aesop’s fable “The Lion and the Mouse”. After that I completely caught the storytelling bug, but what I really wanted was to make movies. A film camp at thirteen introduced me to shooting and editing, setting me on a path that led to studying film at the University of South Carolina. After moving back up to New York and into the city, I sold my first screenplay, immersed myself in cinematography, joined the digital filmmaking revolution with a bunch of other filmmakers friends, and honed my skills with a Canon 7D to create projects on a budget. Buying that camera had set off a massive chain of events leading me from gig to gig as a director & cinematographer in one. Using the 7D taught me so much, and equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to move up to bigger, more serious cameras and productions. Even though the 7D helped me carve my path, one major thing I’ve kept in mind over the years is that the camera is not the heart of filmmaking, the story is.
A few years from graduating college, I was working with celebrities and major brands, directing, writing, editing, and operating cameras for a major livestream broadcaster. I shot for and did some acting for a sketch comedy web series called the Shorts Show. Some of my closest friends were in a band called Folding Legs, and I shot almost all of their music videos and concerts. In 2011, I managed a production studio for Damon Dash at DD172 (for the uninitiated, he started Rockafella Records with Jay-Z). I Collaborated with agencies like Bond Strategy & Influence and Sunshine Sachs. I worked on nearly every kind of production imaginable; music videos, promos, TV ads, sketches, documentaries, short films, feature films. Meanwhile, my own short films went on gaining festival recognition.
Since moving to Los Angeles in late 2014, I’ve continued directing and shooting films, with several shorts and a feature making their way to festivals and distribution. I’m always keeping my focus on directing scripted narratives, I’ve done whatever I could to keep myself working and looking ahead.
I’m very proud to be releasing my current project titled Möbius Loop this year, which is a science fiction time-travel short film centered around Palestinian-American characters. Inspired by some of my favorite films, and some of my family members.
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?
The road has been long, bumpy, and unpredictable. I’ve worked on so many types of productions and have worked in so many positions on-set or in post production, out of sheer necessity. I’ve had to learn so many skills out of survival. Although my goal has always been to solely direct scripted narratives and feature films. Looking back though I am glad have learned so much technical aspects of filmmaking. It’s given me the confidence to go into any kind of production with a sense of control and authority over my craft. Budgets are usually a challenge for everyone, but my approach was to minimize that by learning as many of the tools of the trade as possible for myself, so I wouldn’t have to rely on many others. As a byproduct that gave me the ability to know far in advance what is possible to pull off in production, which is helpful in the writing phase.
There’s also something to be said about the saturation of directors in the film industry. There are so many talented people and everyone’s vying for the same jobs and recognition. I’m a drop in the ocean.
Moving to LA from New York after establishing a solid network in NYC wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I thought there would’ve been more of a crossover than there was. Moving to LA meant I had to start nearly from scratch again. This time after the digital revolution took over and there were already plenty of camera-owner/operators in abound.
It’s difficult being a director who only wants to make films and episodic stories, and like most indie filmmakers, I’ve often been obliged to work on commercials. Which I don’t enjoy. Most people don’t consider how products or services might affect the world around us. We just do whatever it takes to make a living, never questioning what we’re compelled to create. And most people would scoff at me talking about the insincerity of advertising. It’s a double struggle because you have to first prove to people that it’s possible to even question the creative integrity of commercials, and then make the case for why it can be unethical to make ads for things, purely for the sake of money, while being completely apathetic toward what the product/service is. With that said, not all of it is bad, no good, and terrible. There have been some companies or organizations that I’ve felt have brought a net positive to the world around us. All in all, I’d rather be involved in the thing that got me into this industry to begin with. Movies.
Also, being half Palestinian has sometimes complicated relationships and the stories I’ve wanted to tell, with pressure to avoid or alter certain stories. But my ethical compass has always remained centered on equality, justice, and human rights for every cultural identity on this planet. So even if it’s been tricky to navigate, I continue striving to achieve my life’s goals, and tell the kinds of stories I would like to tell.
I’ve always felt that perseverance is a quality that should be nurtured constantly. It makes any accomplishment and success, major or minor, that much more meaningful. All of these challenges have made me stronger, more humble, more aware, and more knowledgable. I’m thankful for that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an independent film director, I strive to keep my stories grounded, no matter the genre, and I care deeply about every process of filmmaking. My films are carefully crafted, intentionally written, and I aim to explore the human experience with honesty in every project.
My default setting in life is always sarcasm and absurd humor, but I also see pretty much everything through the lens of drama. I’m passionate. And my work exemplifies the intensity I have in within me. I love so many kinds of films, and I have always appreciated directors who were chameleon-like in their filmographies. From what I’ve done in the past and what I want to do in the future, I hope to have shown my abilities of vast cinematic storytelling variety. And always with intention and meaning. Even in the seemingly frivolous comedy stuff.
I pour a lot into preparation—rehearsing with actors as much as possible and getting hands-on with building props, set pieces, or any tools behind the camera to bring my vision to life, no matter the budget. Once on set, it’s time for executing the plan, but I also embrace problem-solving and adapting to whatever comes up.
With the many hats I’ve worn over the years, I’m confident in communicating with any department head. And with my background in writing and editing, I know exactly what I need to capture and why. Which also helps me know rather quickly what is possible or too ambitious. I’ve also learned that the more prepared I am, the easier it is to embrace spontaneity and discovery during production. It’s all part of the adventure of filmmaking that is so dear to me.
As a bit of a surprise to me I found that this collection of qualities is not too common, so I feel like that sets me apart from many others.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
When I was nine I felt trapped on a cruise ship with my family, until I found out they had a movie theater that was playing the new film of the year, Jurassic Park. No exaggeration, I spent three days watching that film on repeat in that movie theater.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LeePeterkin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leepeterkin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TreoPictures
- Other: https://mobiusloopfilm.com/
Image Credits
Juan Luis Garcia (Profile Pic)
Luis G. Alarcón (BTS Pics)
Habiba Hassaan & Ziwei Zhao for American Cinematheque
