Meet Rose Fadem-Johnston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Fadem-Johnston.

Hi Rose, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers? 
My journey into cinematography has been an organic process; one that’s a natural extension of my immersion in unique and underrepresented communities, and my general inclination towards physical creation and the arts. Initially pursuing political science at UCLA, I soon realized the profound power of visual storytelling to evoke empathy and to impact culture at large. 

After transitioning to a focused degree in Cinematography, I was acceptance into American Film Institute Conservatory, where I received invaluable mentorship and learned the art and politics of collaborative creation. I had the opportunity to hone my craft by making all the best kinds of mistakes. 

Winding through narrative, music, experimental, and commercial forms, my work has always been guided by a desire to create a cohesive visual world paired with a fondness for practical problem-solving. Whether working on features with full crews, or music videos made with (sometimes literally) two buttons and some pocket lint, my priority remains rooted in empathy, practicality and creating space for others to bring their best artistic ideas to the table. My journey is defined by a joy in collaborative art and a commitment to ensuring the integrity of the stories we put on the screen. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From tight budgets to unforeseen production setbacks, each individual project presents its own unique challenges that require adaptability. For me, navigating these obstacles and resolving these puzzles is part of the fun. Personally, finding fulfillment in my craft has helped navigate the uncertainty of contract work. I expect a somewhat chaotic career and then draw stability from my home life- with a house full of wild and wonderful people who keep me grounded. 

On an industry level I’ve found I can neither ignore, nor dwell, on the challenges that come from being seen as an outlier in my field; I don’t match the vision many have in their minds eye for what a DP is supposed to look like. Surrounding myself with brilliant collaborators has been instrumental to my continued energy and optimism. Similarly, I’m continually energized by the opportunity to lift others up through the communities and organizations we’ve built across the film industry, such as the ICF⁺C. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a cinematographer I specialize in communication, and in taking the time to develop an understanding of each individual director’s and production’s needs, as well as their underlying intentions. As an artist, I’m drawn to projects with strong points of view and am personally prone to a bit of visual surrealism. I love working in effects, practical and digital, as well as stunts- areas that us the opportunity to do choreography across departments and dig into pre-production. As a craftsperson, I find particular joy in tabletop and stop-motion cinematography, where absolute precision and total creative freedom intersect. As a format, it challenges me to push the boundaries of my work. 

I am also passionate about making the technical aspects of cinematography accessible to anyone who interacts with the craft. To this end, I serve on the part-time faculty at AFI. Despite being embedded in the world of tech and having a great deal of fun with it, my personal approaches remain rooted in simple effects and practical solutions. 

Generally, boredom is my greatest enemy and inspiration. I have never been very good at waiting for things to happen, and if left offset for too long will inevitably end up either designing my own optical filters in the basement or embroidering all the napkins in the house. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’m fortunate to be drawn to people who intimidate me. As a result, I find I’m often surrounded by fantastically talented directors, producers, actors, filmmakers, and collaborators. These are inspired, intelligent, people who care about what they are putting out into the world, who value to collaborative artistry, and who create trusting healthy, work environments. 

I’m exceptionally lucky in my peer group of cinematographers, who are a constant source of inspiration and guidance, willing to share their knowledge bluntly and ready to celebrate each other’s success’. 

I’m deeply grateful to my mentors and former instructors who not only trained me technically but set the foundation of my expectations for this line of work. They instilled in me an ethos of scientific and artistic collaborations, ethical set practices, and value for community building. All of which continue to give me a bearing while I’m navigating a life in the arts. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rfjcinematography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rfayjay/