Life & Work with Justin Gum of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Gum.

Hi Justin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My career really began in high school where I discovered my love for filmmaking. I’ve always wanted to work in film as a little child and was enamored with camera technology, but being able to craft and hone my skills was something I was very blessed to have experienced. In college, I was able to garner more exposure with my colleagues who were in film school, while I was studying philosophy, and develop my love and craft for cinematography.

From there, I took on as many side jobs as I could and put in a lot of hours working in the grip and electric department. This gave me a huge appreciation for how many layers there were to the art of filmmaking, and by extension, being a cinematographer.

I eventually landed a job at The Salvation Army’s in-house video team where we, as a crew, created some amazing work for the company while developing some great relationships and constantly learning and developing our creative language. While there, I also worked on a feature documentary that inspired me to look beyond The Salvation Army, and soon moved on to FOX. There, I was afforded a great privilege to DP, edit, and craft numerous episodes on their streaming service: FOX Nation.

After a couple of years, I moved on to full-time freelance where I continued my journey in filmmaking, working on many documentaries and short films for different clients along the way.

I am currently working on a feature documentary on the meaning of life, blending both narrative and non-fiction, and we’re looking to release the documentary next year.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think filmmaking is all about tension. And that applies to your next job/project. As a freelancer, I cannot say that it hasn’t bumpy. It still is, but in the journey along the way, there’s always the opportunity to better yourself and stand out. Even being on set, there’s also that tension, but the hope is to find creative ways to solve the problem at hand. So, especially during these times where film work has been very limited, you learn to cherish each and every opportunity.

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 work primarily as a cinematographer and my bread and butter has been doing documentaries. However, I’m most proud of my narrative work where I am able to truly lean into a carefully crafted plan, where it flourishes into a well-executed work of passion. I would say that something that sets me apart is my intuition. I’m very much lead by what my heart draws toward and that can look different on every set. But that also means I try to see every project as a brand new experience, drawing inspiration from the human condition and the beauty of mood, tonality, and a malleable aesthetic.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have too many, but some of my favorite childhood memories came from my visits to the Florida Keys as a young child. I remember the late afternoon fishing, hanging out with my cousins, and having new adventures every day while I was there, from walking to get the best Key Lime Pie to seeing the warm, tropical sunset with strangers in Key West.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.justineverettgum.com
• Instagram: shot_by_justin