#lizsales

[bubicanal]

I’m so honored to have been interviewed for LensCulture by Liz Sales. Read more here.

[yongmamedia]

Interview with Liz Sales

BK: Hi Liz. I'm Brendan. I would like to learn about your practice, as well as your approach in the media production field. May I ask you a few questions about you and your artistic style?

LS: Sure, I'd be happy to chat. What would you like to know?

BK: okay then, here goes. What inspired you into working at the media production?

LS: I went to Evergreen from 1997 to 2001. While I was a student I took Media Works and worked for media services and editing campus events, shooting campus. I also worked on films with friends like to Group: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332636/?ref_=nm_flmg_cam_38

I liked the summer camp feel of working with other people for 3-month periods on intense projects (filmmaking is intense).  So, I moved to NY where more films are made. 

After I moved I became a PA (Production assistant) A production assistant, also known as a PA, is a member of the film crew and is a job title used in filmmaking and television for a person responsible for various aspects of a production. I worked on commercials and the Sopranos. 

I liked the camera department best so I became a camera assistant and then a camera operator. I was an IASTE 600 and International cinematographer's Guild member.

BK: Very interesting. You went to Evergreen as well and took Media Works. I also took Media Works as well and the production experience was enjoyable. Where did you start out during your media production work? As in an independent filmmaking or a well-known movie studio? What sort of filmmaking techniques you applied in your production?

LS: I've worked on indies and big budget productions as well as TV commercials and TV shows and music videos. When I worked in the industry 2001-2008, everything was still shot 35mm film.

BK: what kind of commercials and TV Shows have you worked on before? just give out a few examples.

LS: I stopped working in film in 2008. Commercials are hard to remember. They shoot for a couple days. TV show wise I worked on 

White Collar (TV Series) (second assistant camera) 

Kidnapped (TV Series) (loader)  

Chappelle's Show (TV Series) (second assistant camera) 

BK: Who is your main inspiration and why?

LS: Just to be clear: Matthew Libatique changes his style to suit the movies he shoots

BK: Matthew Libatique, huh? I took a look about his work. He collaborated with Jon Favreau with a couple of films I saw before. Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Very interesting that he change his style to meet the movies he shoots. That's definitely flexible to also meet the vision of the director. Everybody have to start somewhere I guess. 

LS: Start somewhere? He's pretty famous. I think he may be considered one of the best DPs in the world. Requiem for a Dream in a cinamgraphic masterpiece.

BK: Guess I got the idea. He's really famous. I still find Iron Man and Iron Man 2 as my favorite choice in film he shoots. He's really a genius. Here's the last question. How do you apply your skills and practice in other forms of art? Is it fun to collaborate in a filmmaking crew?

LS: How do you apply your skills and practice in other forms of art? 

I do a lot of photography now so working film translates well. 

Is it fun to collaborate in a filmmaking crew?

Yes! It is super fun to work on a film crew. However, I wouldn't call working in major motion picture collaborating. It's actually a lot like the military. There is a distinct hierarchy. 

BK: Really? I'm guessing it depends on the members of the staff. I have no idea that there's a distinct hierarchy in the media production business.

LS:

Here I’m attaching a chart.

BK: I see. So the Executive producer's at the very top of the hierarchy judging by the looks of it. I guess it's really fun depending on who you're working with. Anyways, thank your for the interview. I have learned a lot from the whole panel. It's also enlightening to know about your practice and skills in the media production business. It's also a bit scary knowing about the whole production hierarchy tree. Thank you very much. This interview really presents lots of excitement and some challenges along the way. You have been very helpful in my assignment. To show my appreciation, here are a couple drawings I made at Visual literacy.

LS: You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback and the pictures! See you soon, Liz

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