Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Rosen.
Hi Will, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts in Dumont, New Jersey where I was raised for most of my life. While there I attended Don Bosco Prep High School where I really became one with the arts. I was actor, a news anchor, president of the media club, and so much more. It is also where I found out about SCAD and Savannah. I took one tour down here and knew it was the town for me. I haven’t regretted that decision once because since moving down here I’ve worked on sixty plus film sets, predominantly as a Director of Photography or Chief Lighting Technician and have gotten to do some insane things. For example, I’ve worked on a film that took entirely place on a boat, I’ve worked on a set that took place on a farm in the middle of nowhere and I’ve hung a fake pig in a ceiling. My life has been riddled with ups and downs, triumphs and failures but since coming here to Savannah not once have the failures stopped me, cause there is always another success around the corner.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a long road for me. I only recently found my true passion for being a Director of Photography while at this school. Before that it has been a long road of finding myself and finding what my passion is. The hardest part would have been the passing of my grandfather. He was a role model to me and to this day my family says I look just like him. He wore many hats, just like myself, but one of them that I didn’t realize we had in common was photographer. He had dozens of photos hanging on the walls and the images were always so beautiful. I only realize now that those pictures were a true inspiration for me. I’ve not landed every job I’ve applied for but what will hurt the most is him not being able to see the ones I do get. Everyday I strive to be better because of that. Because I know it’s what he would have wanted and it’s what he would have done.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a creative I’m known for my diversity in my work. I’m proud of the fact that my current reel has a drama about a sailor who killed his crew right next to a comedy power ranger’s spoof. My job is called a Director of Photography which many people may not have heard of since it is on the tech side of film, the side that doesn’t get all the glitz and glamor. My job is to lead the camera and lighting departments in a way that achieves the directors vision, while also achieving the look that I have made for the film, since I do have a say in it. Something I am very proud of is of course the diversity but also the range of directors I have worked with. Every director has a different way of working, different habits and things they like. I have been able to work with a ride range of them and work within what they want and it’s been a pleasure. I also try to make every crew I work with happy about the fact that they worked on the film at the end of the day. I want them to feel like they were not only apart of the production but had a say and a stake in the production going well. What sets me apart from the rest I would say is my commitment to the success of a project and achieving a consistent visual language throughout. Consistency is key when it comes to making a film (unless it makes sense for the story of course), audiences will better understand a film if you establish the world looks one way and stick with that. Throwing in crazy difference s can upset this consistency, which can be useful at times but has to be done purposefully.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Trust I would say is the most important. Trust in me, trust in my crew, trust in the production as a whole. There have been many times when I have had to really trust, trust that it is all going to work out and that everything is going to be fine and it hasn’t let me down yet. A director has to trust in me for me to do my job, if not then there isn’t much for me to do. They’ve hired me to bring their film to life and they have to trust me to do that with my crew. This trust is a huge part of the film industry because the movie doesn’t get made unless you trust in me, my crew and the process of making it happen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willrosen04
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/_INxWXtDbpc
