Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Rivera.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am currently a commercial DP working on branded pieces but I started in a very different place and that was primarily in sports and documentaries. I started by shooting football motivational video for Appalachian State University and that transitioned for freelance work primarily for ESPN and the ACC. I also during that time changed my major to advertising and began to understand more of how commercials were shot and the process behind that, learning things that became invaluable as I transitioned into the commercial film space.
In those years I worked as a permalancer with a sports production company in charlotte and also interned at an ad agency for a brief time. Learning many valuable things about shooting interviews, working with high-profile talent and the ad agency and production company machine. But most especially that I wanted to pursue commercial and narrative production and definitely not work in an office.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In some ways yes and some ways no but I think that is most always the game, no? I was able to move into being a cinematographer with little trouble and not a ton of time having to work in positions that I didn’t want to. Which is a double-edged sword but allowed me to get to close to where I want to spend my career at a young age. But also have experienced loads of rejections, being doubted, and being passed over for work. Being in any arts career can feel like many days are you knocking on the door with someone not being particularly interested in opening up that door.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a commercial DP, my work is very multi-faceted. Some days I am more of a politician on set and some days I am more an artist and they are both things that I enjoy very much. Being a strong leader that can lead a production, camera team, and G&E team to success is something I am very proud of.
My work itself is usually very naturalistic with a heightened sense of reality. I want everything to look real, lived in, but in the most beautiful way possible. My work as a DP means I am one of many talented collaborates, executing the director’s goals and visions. But something I take very seriously in giving the director what they want, but with a little sauce and flavor of my own on it (if I can manage it). Being able to keep everyone in the loop and allow everyone a voice in the collaboration while creating something beautiful is easily what I love most about my job.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
People and friendships are everything, not just in getting to where you want to go but also making this “job” as enjoyable and fun. It is so easy to get caught up in where you want to go and how you want to get there when I first started out being outside of the traditional film world. I thought making the best and most impressive work was how I would get noticed and get work. And I went through some of my slowest times doing that. After I started reaching out, forming friendships, and meeting collaborators was when my career really got going. Especially as a DP being seen as a hard worker and a problem solver that people want on their team is a great place to be. And when you are all of those things and friends with the people you work with is when the magic really happens on set.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alexanderjrivera.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexanderjrivera_/
