Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Garth
Hi Sara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is all about stories. From a young age I have always spent my time seeking out new stories. I was an avid reader as a child. I remember doing a summer reading challenge where if you read 30 books you got a grand prize which was, of course, a book. I made my mom promise me I could start to watch horror movies when I was 10 and on my 10th birthday watched Halloween and The Nightmare on Elm Street. I grew up in the age of Netflix discs, where you could get DVDs mailed to you 3 at a time and I would watch about 15 movies a week. One day, while watching Life As A House it occurred to me that making movies was a job that I could do and the rest is history.
I got a degree in Cinema and Media Studies from the University of Chicago, did a summer internship making documentaries in NYC after graduation and then headed to LA. Cinematography is my craft. Of all the many jobs on a film set that let you tell stories I find myself inherently drawn to making the images we all see, interpreting what is in the head of the director into something physical (or more likely these days, digital). This will be my 13th year working in LA.
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?
Being a filmmaker is all challenges. That is literally the job. A screenwriter puts something on the page, the director envisions how the story should be told and your challenge is to figure out how to bring it to the screen. There are small, intricate challenges like how to rig a light where you need it safely and affordably. Then there are bigger challenges like a location falling through last minute and needing to think on your feet when all your planning has gone out the window. The greatest challenge is navigating this crazy career at all when there is no set path and each of us is just forging ahead the best way that we can find.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a cinematographer, or director of photography, and I’d say what I specialize in is not specializing. I strive to serve the story first and foremost and that means adapting your style with each shoot. I always want to be learning and trying new things so that each job brings something new and unique. I do my best to mold myself to the director to accommodate their style of working and nothing makes me prouder than being brought back again for the directors next project.
What makes you happy?
I’ve been thinking about this recently and asking people; is your favorite part of the job pre-production planning, working on set or drinks afterwards with your team? Thinking back I realize that I’m happiest on the drive home after a great day on set. That’s when the adrenaline of the job is wearing off and you get to relish in the successes of the day as you ride off in the the sunset.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saragarth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saragarth4/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-garth-945aa82b/
