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Meet Michael Tilley

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Tilley.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Being born in the late 90’s just outside of Baltimore, MD my parents owned a mini-dv camera and a 35mm point and shoot to capture home movies and photos. It’s funny how these cameras are now back in trend but they were my first exposure to film and photography as a kid. I remember shooting some videos around the house and never wanting to put the camera down. This lead to my parents putting me into film camps and other clubs in my middle school years which just kept me motivated and pursuing film at a young age. When I turned 20 years old, I started freelancing with local production companies and clients. This was the biggest life goal to be working on sets and getting paid.

This was the only passion I had since a child and now I am doing it as a career couldn’t be happier. I started out working on corporate interviews and commercials across Maryland but still wanted to do more and work on bigger features and narrative work. I got word that the crew from “House of Cards” were making a feature over the summer and I wanted in. I asked a local gaffer about if there were any positions available and sure enough, I got the call for the non paid unofficial Camera PA position. I show up to set the first day with all the box trucks lined up and grab a walkie and earpiece for the first time and get to work. I met so many people that did exactly what I wanted to do and even though it was 18 hot wet and humid summer days I loved it. Shortly after that wrapped, I got offered to day play on the final season of “House of Cards” which didn’t seem real. One of my favorite and biggest shows at the time in Maryland, I was about to work on. I was so nervous the first couple days meeting a whole crew and learning so many names and faces. It was overwhelming for sure.

It wasn’t a holding your hand experience either like the other feature film. I had to be on top of my game, this was the real deal no one was going to hold my hand on this one. Once H.O.C left town, I had to make a decision to move out to Los Angeles to work on feature films. I moved in 2018 and Since then met a lot of like-minded people. Almost 50% of people out in LA are in the entertainment industry in one way or the other it seems. I joined Local 600 and started working on feature films just like I set out to do. Now in late 2019 and 2020, I’ve become a little sidelined from working on movie sets and started shooting my own projects and photography on 16mm and 120 medium format. It has really put me back to how I felt when I was a kid. I am very excited for my upcoming projects in 2020 and can’t wait to continue to keep shooting.

Has it been a smooth road?
It always felt smooth while I was working on a project or onset but then there were big crashes along the way. Freelancing can be mentally straining when you are working for months, then all of a sudden you are off for a week or more and do not know what the next project will be. That’s why having a big client list and frequently checking up on them it’s very important. I didn’t believe this when I started because I remember everyone haha but people do forget about you fast and they have to be reminded that you are available for work.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a cinematographer and photographer that specializes in film and 120 film photography. I am known for shooting with a variety of film formats like 16mm, mini-dv, VHS, 120, digital. I love mixing it up and not only using one format I think that helps me stand out from others. I get my inspiration mostly from the lighting in the environment. I want to keep the image as natural as possible. The location and production design also has a huge impact on how the image will look. I’d say it’s one of the most important thing for me is to have a good location.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The industry will only be growing in the next 5-10 years with social media and streaming services now in control of what’s being made in LA. Have you noticed a new show comes out almost every week now on Netflix. They are just cranking them out. I think that LA is a perfect place to be for the next five years working in the industry.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Portrait of myself: Daniel Whipp

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