Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Emerson Morgan Johnson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Always been interested in film. I started out at eight years old making stop motion lego videos and incredibly low production value war movies with my little brother, Joe. After sort of giving up on the whole idea of being in the film industry, I became a server/bartender in Denver, CO for about 4 or 5 years, shooting a little bit of content here and there for fun. I slowly started to meet people in the Colorado film industry, but not enough to quit my job. Somewhere along the line I was able to do both at the same time, and finally I was able to quit bartending and be a Denver cinematographer and overall camera guy full time, with my own little office space and all. A little over two years ago, I decided to make the jump to Los Angeles and haven’t looked back since.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, it was pretty smooth. The minute I got here, I had this feeling like I was finally home. I was (miraculously) able to network relatively quickly and the town has only gotten smaller since. My family lives all over the country (and now the world, my brother Joe is now living in London) so I never really got the homesick feeling that many people seem to have.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in all things camera, most of my actual income coming from pulling focus on feature films/TV shows for some incredibly talented DPs, which is exactly how I planned it. As a cinematographer myself, I wanted to come to LA, knock myself down one peg (not TOO many pegs, haha) and learn from the best. I wanted the best of both worlds. I’ve been able to make a living learning from some pretty incredible mentors, too many to name here. I still shoot plenty on the side with some amazing directors, and my girlfriend Brea is an incredible actor that I have the pleasure of shooting with whenever we want.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I would say to a younger version of myself; just go for it. I wasted a good chunk of my early 20’s doing a job I didn’t really want to end up doing, and as soon as I made the jump to the film industry, it didn’t take as long as I thought it would to pick up speed. It just sorts of started happening for me. I myself didn’t go to film school, but that doesn’t mean that’s the right or wrong path for anyone. Personally, I preferred learning hands on, on set. I feel like I learned far more quickly than if I were in school.
Pricing:
- $1200/day for DP work
- $500/day for 1st AC work
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: samuelemersondp.com
- Instagram: @samuelemerson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrguy3/
