Today we’d like to introduce you to Deangelo Harding
Hi Deangelo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Movies has always been a huge love of mine. Even as a kid going to the movie theatre was a huge event for me, and I always thought – “Man, I’d do anything to make a movie.” From then on I was making little short films & sketches in highschool for fun. If there was a school project that required a video I always took it.
Then I discovered film school was a real thing (who knew?) Got into film school, dropped out before graduating because I was already sort of working in the industry as a PA/Camera assistant. Kept at camera assistant jobs while continuously making my own films as a DP. Eventually I had a big enough body of work to start DPing full time, word got around I was no longer a camera assistant, and things just took off from there.
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?
Has it been a smooth road? No. I think in any trade you aspire to get into, you have to put in your hours. With that comes years of dealing with people you’d usually rather not deal with, sleepless nights, being away from family, wearing multiple hats in a project just to get it started. I’ve put years and years into this craft and still to this day you sometimes struggle. This has just became a fact you live with when you become a filmmaker: living with that has (in a weird way) become a driving force to keep going.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Director of Photography. I shoot commercials, feature films & everything in between; that means heading different departments. I work with lighting, camera, wardrobe, and all the way through post production. I always try and be involved in every process or producing an image on screen that the not only achieves the director’s vision, but also satisfies mine.
Honestly, I’m most proud of connections I’ve made while having this career because it’s essential if you’re first starting out. Get yourself out there, make connections, make art, find the people you vibe with to push each other forward.
I think what sets me a part is my ability to stay calm and collected during a shoot. I’ve been told time and time again by different crews that they are impressed with my ability to “stay cool.” A big part of making a film, or shooting any project, is solving problems. You can’t let problems break you, nor have your entire crew see you break. You roll with the punches, solve the problem at hand, and move forward.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you’re aspiring to be a filmmaker, my advice to you is… to make films! If you’re sitting around waiting for a career to take off, or waiting for someone to give you an opportunity, that isn’t how this business works. You need to create your own opportunity, create the jobs. You might make a film, a spec commercial or a pitch and time and time again you will be denied…and that’s okay! Move onto the next thing and create your own path and opportunity. Keep creating!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deangeloharding.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deangeloharding?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
