Frame By Frame

Why You’re Not Making Money as a DP: Emmy Winner’s Guide to Fixing It | Ep 004

Episode Summary

In this episode of Frame By Frame, host Daniel Mogg sits down with Emmy-winning DP Jason Johnson to uncover the secrets to building a successful career in filmmaking. From transitioning from professional football to becoming an award-winning cinematographer, Jason shares his unique journey and the hard lessons he learned along the way.

Episode Notes

In this episode of Frame By Frame, host Daniel Mogg sits down with Emmy-winning DP Jason Johnson to uncover the secrets to building a successful career in filmmaking. From transitioning from professional football to becoming an award-winning cinematographer, Jason shares his unique journey and the hard lessons he learned along the way.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Welcome and Jason’s background: From football to filmmaking.
06:09 – Why DPs struggle financially and how to think like a business.
13:00 – Breaking into filmmaking: Lessons from shooting his first documentary.
21:18 – The importance of gaining experience and "hiring your mentors."
36:36 – Balancing passion with paying the bills as a DP.
40:19 – Jason’s top films and storytelling inspiration from Interstellar.
46:07 – Why working for free (at the right time) can open doors.
53:31 – Closing advice: Solving problems on set and staying creative under pressure.

Key Takeaways

🔥 Why many DPs struggle to make a living and how to fix it.
💡 The importance of treating filmmaking as a business.
🎬 How to stand out in a competitive industry.
🚪 Breaking into sports filmmaking and the power of relationships.
📈 Practical advice for scaling your career and making consistent income.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned pro looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed as a DP.

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