Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Bell, Sr.
Hi Aaron, 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 backstories with our readers.
Hi, my name is Aaron Bell Sr. I was born in Gary, Indiana to Arthur J Bell Jr. and Berneta Bell we lived there until I was 2 or 3 and then moved to the New Orleans metro area where my father was a supervisor at the airport and my mother was an RN at Charity hospital. My twin brother Arthur Bell III had a great childhood and was influenced in many aspects of our lives by our upbringing in the New Orleans area. Around age 14 I gained an interest in photography which evolved into a love for cinema. Shortly after our high school graduation my brother and I received a DVD player as a graduation gift.
Instead of watching movies, I would listen to the director’s commentary on the DVD, which would be a source of education in movie production. Back in 1999, there was no YouTube to research things on and this ended up being a sort of film school for me. Learning different terminology and how certain shots were framed. After a short time, I had a list of favorite cinematographers in Hollywood. I would then study each one at a time and realized how important cinematography was a large part of movie magic. Fast forward a few years I am now residing in Houston, TX, and decided to make my passion a profession. I started networking with other creators in my area and built a pretty strong list of people who share my passion for filming.
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?
The biggest struggle I have is managing and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I have 3 wonderful children and raising them around the production schedule can be hectic at times but with help from family and friends, I manage to hold it all together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a freelance award-winning Director of Photography/Cinematographer in Houston, TX. I specialize in taking someone’s vision and turning it into a visual through the lens of a camera. I am probably most known for filming comedy skits for online personality “Callme Choko” we meet back in 2019 through social media and have been creating different projects since. Since 2019 I have worked on projects with people like Trae the truth, Lil Flip, Flesh Bone of Bone thugs and Harmony, David Banner, and Tommy Davidson.
In 2021 I filmed 2 full feature projects “Mahogany” and “Laced” that will be premiering on streaming platforms in 2023. I am proud of all my work but at the moment I am most proud of the work I did on the first feature I filmed named “Mahogany” Written and directed by Allana De nai. Allana approached me in January of 2021 and asked if I could shoot her project and I of course accepted. After shooting for 8 days in April we wrapped the movie and since then it has picked up multiple accolades from film festivals including a mention for cinematography. It was a team effort from everyone on set.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Everyone I work with on and off set.
I have a large support system that helps me. My mother & Father Berneta Bell Arthur Bell II. My aunts Anita and Deborah Bell also my brother Arthur Bell III. Everyone I worked with in 2022 Allana De Nai, Chirs Martin, Lonnie Strickland, Keydrin Franklin. Janard Harper, Shannon Washington, Iyonna Brown, Felton Young, and Stevie D the list goes on and on.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.awrapproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thats_awrap/
