Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Friedberg.
Hi Daniel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I grew up watching movies with my parents. They loved old classic films and that really influenced me at a young age. As I grew up, I fell in love storytelling and the process that went into to making these films that entertained me so much. That passion for the craft of making movies eventually lead me to go to film school. After I graduated, I started working as a camera assistant on bigger productions while always continuing to shoot projects on the side. Looking back, it was a great education for me to see how Cinematographers at the top of their craft worked. I would bring a small notebook with me to work and take notes on set and try to utilize some of the things I had learned on set and practice them on the smaller jobs that I got to shoot. Those years were a great time where I got to develop my style as a cinematographer, trying things and seeing what I liked visually and more importantly what I didn’t. In time I was shooting more and more projects to the point where I was supporting myself as a working cinematographer. I started shooting short films which lead to commercials which eventually lead to television and features.
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?
It took a lot of sacrifices to make the switch to shooting full-time. You hear “no” so many times that it can make you question your resolve. It would have been much easier at times to quit but I think ultimately when you know what it is that you want to do in life you find a way to manage the hard times and keep moving forward. My determination and love for the craft has led me to where I am. I would like to think that the qualities I have gained by going through the hard times have helped me become better at my job as well. No matter how hard the project, no matter what we are up against as a production my determination and eye for the craft has helped navigate us to elevate the final product. I take a lot of pride in the fact that the hardships I have gone through ultimately shaped me into the professional I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a cinematographer and I specialize in shooting episodic television, feature films and commercials. My job is to work with the director and help bring their project from words on a page to images on a screen. In 2017 I was selected by the International Cinematographers Guild as an Emerging Cinematographer Honoree. I believe my experience has made me to be very technically efficient in creating compelling and beautiful images even under tight schedules. However, my ability to listen and collaborate is what makes me an ideal choice for many directors I work with.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
My whole career has been a risk. The risk of failure, the risk of not living up to expectations. I think that putting ourselves outside our comfort zone is how we grow and better ourselves and ultimately become the person we want to be. Without risk, there is no reward, and, in my case, the reward is living the life I know I was meant to live and doing a job that not only brings me joy and satisfaction but also may hopefully inspires others to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielfriedberg.com
