Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Goss
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Director of Photography who specialized in aerial photography. What that means is that on a movie, they might hire out helicopters and other various tools to shoot some of the more sweeping, dynamic, or cinematic images they need to capture. More than that gear, they rely on specialists to make sure that type of work is safe and successful. I work hand-in-hand with stunt pilots, often as a stunt-player myself, making sure the aircraft camera captures the director’s vision on set. We deconstruct scenes that might involve layers of effects, or certain challenges to photograph. I have to come in with the experience and confidence to make sure we leave with the shot – and considering the price tag, really make sure our involvement is a worthwhile addition to the film.
We’d love for you to tell us how you got started in this career.
I got started how I imagine a lot of film people got going – a bit of accident and some trial and error. After various roles, I was finally working as an assistant cameraperson in TV. After some period of assisting, a mutual friend recommended me for a helicopter shoot, to assist but with specialized gear. Well, I never went back! It might not have been love-at-first-sight, but I saw opportunities in working in a specialty that have served me well.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I had the privilege of already working in film and being accepted pretty directly on some level. But from trying to do a job to having clients who booked me regularly enough to pay the rent… that felt like it was a long span of time. And then click, I got an offer on a large movie (“Elysium” with Matt Damon) sort of by accident – someone wasn’t available for my job – and then suddenly it became “oh, wow, you do movies?” At that point I had over a decade of working hard at TV commercials and foreign-market work, thinking that would gradually evolve into me doing to films. Instead it was one job, one single job that I guess just sort of showed people I could fit in there.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Filmmaking is a collaborative art. I not only rely on others, I feel that I cannot think of a project where I was just able to come in and “do my own thing”. It is always a team that comes together to capture what is hopefully a well-thought out vision from the director. If not, we can work together to support the project by providing options, or showing them something they might not have pre-imagined. From that first call, the trust from the producer, to the support of the office and then finally the collaboration with the other department heads, film is truly a medium where – at its best – a team pulls together to create something larger than the individual pieces.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dylangoss
Image Credits
Alexey Orlov is photo credit for the diving helicopter shot.
