Today we’d like to introduce you to David Mejia.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Junior year of high school in the midst of doing college apps, It kinda just hit me that I knew I wanted to be a cinematographer. The questions they make you answer for those essays sort of have you look back on your life. I realized that images and storytelling have been etched into my life since I was a kid.
After that, I took some video courses for the remainder of high school and wrote scripts for a class as a way to pursue it at full force. I think I’ve kept that same pace ever since. I made some short films outside of school with a Canon t5i and took that with me to college in San Francisco. There, I took my free time to help upperclassmen on their thesis’ films. One of the most notable experiences and one that I credit to being the single production that change my life forever was a little film called, “Hell and Back.” I remember being in my dorm and I started to cry after we finished production. For me, it was my first taste of what it’s like to be a part of something bigger and to be around such amazing people.
I ended up back home for financial reasons and found small jobs in the local film industry here. Getting rejected most of the first year (end of 2016/2017) with the latter part of 2018 being one where I found some of my favorite and biggest jobs so far as a crew member (haven’t made my way to DP’ing super big jobs yet.). Unfortunately, I can’t disclose any more info than that. I think it’s important to know that I work as a cinematographer on smaller productions and work as a Gaffer or in the camera department on bigger shows. In 2019, I hope to mainly be a DP or Gaff only.
Please tell us about your art.
There’s that question that I get asked or ask myself–what does a DP/Cinematographer (interchangeable terms) do? I’m still figuring that one out. It gets muddled in the midst of production. The easy answer is is that I serve as a curator for the images in the film. The director and the crew all create this image. I can have a say and let the director know that this is something I’m ready to roll with, or I can say no, “give us five more minutes.”
But think about it for a sec, when you watch a movie, what’s in the frame? There’s a character who is wearing clothes… wardrobe department… Their hair is styled; maybe they even have make-up… now that’s hair and makeup department. But behind that character is a rosey wallpaper with rich red sheets on the bed… that’s art department. All of a sudden there are multiple conversations occurring whether this shot is ready to shoot or not. That’s the biggest reason why I say I don’t exactly know what a DP does. I can have a say in some of those things, or in other jobs, maybe no say at all.
But to answer the rest of the question–what people can take away from my work? As a cinematographer, I feel my job is to help the director do theirs. I hope that my work doesn’t steal the show and that I let my colleague work.
Why do I do what I do…I deal with A LOT of anxiety and off and on panic disorder. Mental health has become an open discussion that has brought so much comfort to myself and those around me. With my work, I try and take jobs that will also create an open conversation in something that people don’t talk about a lot. I also flat out do this work because it provides a fulfillment I’ve received nowhere else. It’s provided so much for me that I feel I owe my life to filmmaking. And as far as what’s the message or what inspires me, that changes from job to job. I try to be really open to inspiration. It comes from friends, family, my daily life, books, music, from other filmmakers, from everywhere.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I’ve always thought limitations actually push you because you have to be more creative in how you use resources or in the decisions you make. I grew up very conscious of finances so I reinvest constantly into my craft–it’s the only place my money goes.
Biggest piece of advice I can offer is to just do it. I have a good friend of mine who shoots all his photos on a t5i still. That’s an entry-level camera, very basic. His photos are still of great quality. There’s always going to be something that isn’t quite good enough. Don’t get caught up on the newest and fanciest gear.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My website has links to some of the stuff I work on. There are a lot of projects still in the works though. My first feature I DP’d is currently in post-production. A fashion film is still being edited. Another short, unfortunately, isn’t going to see the light of day.
Anyone can support me by keeping me in mind for work. By giving my name out. Or following me on Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://davidamejia.myportfolio.com
- Email: davidamejia98@gmail.com
- Instagram: daavidmejiaa
Image Credit:
David Mejia
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