Conversations with Brandon Lin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Lin.

Hi Brandon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
When I was young, my family and I always watched movies or TV shows during our free time at home or a movie theater. Every time afterward, we would talk about how much work and time was put into creating a story in an alternate reality as well as how many different moving factors it took. From there, I started to develop an interest in the work behind the scenes and how everything was choreographed together to form a story, starting from pre-production into production and post-production. I also became intrigued by the different aspects of filmmaking and the overall structure. As a result of my curiosity, I decided to study media studies and film in high school. In my studies, I was able to develop an understanding of the history of film and the fundamentals of filmmaking, such as the roles of the director, cinematographer, etc. I soon started to become fascinated by the creation of visuals and how visuals could communicate a story while at the same time taking it to another level. I decided to take the next step and majored in film production after graduating high school at Ringling College of Art and Design. During my time at Ringling, I continued to gain a deeper understanding of film production, especially set workflow. I learned the ins and outs of set operation and everything it took to ensure it ran smoothly. At the same time, my passion for creating visuals through cinematography deepened. I loved creating meaning and subtext in images through different tools such as framing, lighting, and other techniques to tell a story. I graduated in the summer of 2022 and decided to continue my filmmaking journey by pursuing a master’s degree at Chapman University’s Dodge College with an emphasis in cinematography. 

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?
The road to get to where I am today has been anything but smooth. During my time in high school, there was a time when I did not know what I wanted to do for my career. This led me towards a downward spiral in many aspects of my life, such as my grades, and at the time, my grades and school performance were a determining factor for my college applications. It wasn’t until I finally figured out what I wanted to do in my career that I was able to straighten out my life and start focusing on the things that would get me into the schools I wanted. Further, along my journey, I realized that if I wanted to do film professionally, I would have to learn a lot at Ringling. Therefore, I spent a lot of time on set learning different equipment and taking on different roles. Due to COVID, I had to complete my junior year online and in small groups, which greatly affected the things I learned. By the time it came to senior year, I was inexperienced in many different aspects of being a cinematographer. I was only able to learn later on during my time on an indie feature film, working alongside industry professionals. I learned different methods and strategies for creating visual images. Once I started my master’s at Chapman, I completely moved into a new place, and I did not know anyone around me. In this new start, I had to continuously participate in different sets to help improve my knowledge and build working relationships with my colleagues. All in all, every new beginning I’ve had came with new obstacles that I had to overcome. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a filmmaker, I specialize in cinematography, which consists of creating the overall visual imagery for a film. This can range from the framing, lighting, angles, equipment, and many more. I also take on roles that are within the cinematography department. These roles include 1st assistant camera, 2nd assistant camera, gaffer, key grip, best grip/electric, dolly grip, etc. I am most proud of my growth as a filmmaker, especially staying resilient through all the struggles as well as the ups and downs. I believe that my work ethic, along with my attention to detail, is what sets me apart from others. I am always trying to make sure that issues can be minimized and that problems can be solved quickly and efficiently while anticipating what could come next. 

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
The Covid-19 crisis affected many different people in different ways. For me, one of the most important lessons that I learned from this pandemic was the ability to adapt to any situation that comes my way. I’ve learned that anything can happen at any time, and it could cause catastrophic effects. We must take a moment to process the information and find ways to adapt and make something still work. This lesson is something I’ve taken with me everywhere I go, especially during the pre-production of films, as many unknown issues always happen, which leads me to make adjustments to my plan. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blinfilms.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonlindp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonlin717/