Today we’d like to introduce you to Joewi Verhoeven.
Hi Joewi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and grew up in a tiny village in the south of the Netherlands. I found my love for filmmaking at a young age, tinkering with my dad’s dv camcorder. Before that, I would always play around the house imagining films I was seeing in my head. Once I had the tool to capture and act out some of that movie magic, I was pretty sure this is what I wanted to do when I “grow up”.
Along the way, I’ve learned that it ultimately pays off to step out of one’s comfort zone and take calculated risks. The first time I experienced this was when I decided to spend time in China after graduating high school. I found myself in Beijing, China at age 18 to find my roots and study film. This venture turned out to be remarkably enriching; it was during this period that I discovered my true calling: cinematography. Following my graduation from the Beijing Film Academy in 2013, I rolled into a Chinese film industry that was booming. Not long after, I had the opportunity to DP my first feature film. This marked the beginning of a fruitful seven-year journey within the Chinese film sphere – a journey that was abruptly interrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This unforeseen hiatus prompted much-needed time to reflect on my cinematography path. Eventually, I started to entertain the idea of my old dream of coming to LA. In many ways, it felt similar to my initial decision to move to China. The transition required bidding farewell to colleagues and friends and embarking on a new leap of faith. With an acceptance for the cinematography program at AFI (American Film Institute), I recognized this as the definitive sign to embrace the change, resulting in my relocation in 2021. As I stand on the cusp of graduating from AFI, I am eager to chart my course within the industry in this new landscape.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Viewed from a broader perspective, the journey has undeniably been relatively smooth, and I find myself incredibly fortunate to continue pursuing my passion. Being a cinematographer is an amazing profession. When you zoom in on the details though, there were certainly bumps along the way. Initially, adapting to Chinese society presented considerable challenges, and it was daunting to learn cinematography in Chinese. This experience humbled me and honed my adaptability to diverse cultures and environments, which has proven invaluable in acclimating to life in the United States.
In terms of career trajectory, when I just started out there were incredible opportunities but it was also very hard work, often without the basic working conditions that are taken for granted elsewhere. I’ve done a Chinese feature film where we shot 60 days in a row without a single day off!
Lastly, shifting one’s career path and relocating to a new place comes with its own set of challenges. Departing from an established professional network in China, coupled with foregoing promising projects there due to my commitment to moving to LA, occasionally fosters self-doubt regarding the choices made. But it’s also fuel for me to really make things work now that I’m here.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have a supportive wife who embarked on this adventure to LA with me. Last year, we welcomed our first child here. Maintaining a sense of gratitude for all that you have and the family standing by you is incredibly important to me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a cinematographer, it’s my main responsibility to help the director “translate” the film visually from the page to the screen. Making creative choices with composition, lighting, camera movement, etc. to help elevate the story in the most fitting and visual way possible.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have an anecdote on how the “rec button” became my source of creativity which I still very much use for my work today. I think there is something magical about pressing “record” that is like a shortcut in becoming fully focused and immersed in the moment. When I was about 10 years old we used to have a radio at home that doubled as a tape recorder. Alongside a close friend and my younger brother, we would record these playful “radio shows.” In our make-believe world, we envisioned ourselves hosting live broadcasts, conducting outrageous interviews, spinning music, and concocting fantastical scenarios within our makeshift studio. Taking on the roles of both hosts and eccentric guests with silly voices, we let our imaginations run wild. I think that’s when I realized that creating something can be so much fun, and in many ways my creative drive probably started there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joewiverhoeven.com
- Instagram: @joewiverhoeven
