Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Chinn.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Ever since I was a kid, I loved movies, especially ones that gave me hope to make the world a better place. None of my family is in any kind of artistic industry. My mom owns a restaurant and my dad is an accountant. I don’t think any of them expected me to go towards this industry but I’ve always been more interested in trying to make a difference in the world and I believe art to be one of the most powerful things in existence. I believe art has the power to change the world.
I was bullied a lot when I was in middle school, and that has definitely shaped my worldview and my passion for equality and social justice. I’ve always wanted to fight back but in a way that can make a true difference and change people’s perceptions. When I was in college, I thought directing was my true path, to get my vision across. Over the last 10 years, I realized with my world view and the way my brain works, cinematography is my true passion. I love collaborating with others, getting an emotional connection from the director’s vision, and turning that into reality that can be shot in a practical way.
Please tell us about your art.
I am currently a freelance cinematographer, working with a handful of directors and production companies, shooting mostly music videos, shorts, and feature films. A majority of the projects I work on tend to be very passionate and personal for the directors involved, which draws me in as well. I feel that I cannot do my best work unless I connect with the material. Most projects I work on tend to deal with very similar themes even though they’re with different directors. I find myself drawn to projects that involve racism, insecurity, anxiety, loneliness, and the grime underneath a shiny surface.
For the look of my work, I try to get as much in camera as possible, but I also do a lot of in camera effects and tricks. I love shooting with prisms, experimenting with frame rates/shutter, and trying to get unique shots that look like vfx but are done in camera.
The way I work tends to be different with different directors. My process is very adaptable and fluid depending on the director. I can work with whatever method best serves the director I’m working with, whether it’s specific storyboards and very technical shots, or a looser documentary improvisational style. My biggest inspirations for cinematography are Roger Deakins, Sean Bobbitt, Bradford Young, and Vilmos Zsigmond. My goal is to be the greatest version of me as possible, and hopefully have projects that will make the world a better place than the one I was born into.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The biggest challenge facing artists today is oversaturation and originality. There is so much material out there now, that it’s extremely difficult to get it seen and also to be original. I believe this also makes the good material that stands out to be absolutely amazing, but that also means only the elite of the elite will get seen unless it’s something new that no one has seen before that goes viral. The competition is extremely fierce but I think in the end, it’ll create bigger and better art, but in the process, also create more and more losers.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My independent projects are available to view on my Vimeo page and my website http://chinnland.com. I shoot branded content as well, which may pop up randomly before a YouTube or Vimeo video you’re watching. To support me, keep watching my stuff and hire me!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://chinnland.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/andychinn
- Other: www.vimeo.com/andychinn
Image Credit:
Noam Kroll, Joseph Armario, Ryan Oksenberg, Tom Edwards
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