Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Travis.
Hi Will, 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?
I started my interest with cameras when I was very young, taking pictures of my own soccer team. In 7th grade, I took my first film class, learned Imovie, and played with a video camera. I enjoyed doing that so I continued taking film classes all through high school. For a while, I just liked taking pictures and filming/editing little sports action videos. I made several fun videos for my cross-country team. My teacher saw potential in me and encouraged me to get more into the narrative side of filmmaking and learn how to increase my overall production quality. He also recommended I look at the Savannah College of Art and Design to continue my learning. Though challenging, I learned an unbelievable amount at SCAD and had a rewarding experience.
I practiced skills such as composition, lighting, camera operating, editing, and working with a large team. I worked with so many talented people on projects such as a documentary about the missing crabs in St. Paul, Alaska, a psychological thriller about the fears of international travel, and an experimental fashion video where we pushed the boundaries of the Steadicam. I also met Matison LeBlanc, a very talented director who brought me on as the Director of Photography for Ada and the Doc, my latest and biggest project. This project put all of my cinematography skills to the test. Through several challenging locations (including a swamp), multiple units, and constant fundraising, we created a film we are truly proud of. Through all of these experiences, I also found my current passion, Steadicam Operating, which is what I am currently pursuing.
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?
With every film comes a unique opportunity to overcome challenges. We faced many issues with securing period accurate locations, getting high-end equipment on a limited budget, actors unable to continue, crew shortages, being asked to get shots where we don’t have the necessary gear for, equipment failing, and lots of bad weather. What I have learned through these challenges is that you have to be persistent in figuring things out. When there is a will there is a way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a cinematographer, I love creating the mood of the story and then executing the director’s vision on set. When I shot Vagabond, a psychological thriller, we had to create an unsettling mood with our shot design and lighting. We played with light colors for different parts in a scene and experimented with different angles that made the character feel cramped or trapped. I also love experimenting with different kinds of cameras, lenses, and lighting. On Ada and the Doc, we shot on an Alexa SXT and Alexa Mini, which was really fun. For lighting a scene in the swamp we made a huge lighting contraption called a “Book Light” that outputted the “moonlight” of the scene. I love being behind the camera and bringing the film we’ve been planning to life.
At the end of my SCAD career, I was best known for my Steadicam operating. It is what I am currently pursuing and is something I love to do. While filming Ada and the Doc in Darian GA, I was challenged to do a long slow push-in, as stable as I could, where I had to walk through several rooms of a house and land in a medium shot. On a fashion shoot, we experimented with flipping the camera upside down during the take. Another fun challenge was shooting a push-in that switched to an orbit around the talent, all while the crew was building the set around her. I find the art of Steadicam so fascinating and I’m always eager to hone in my skill more.
I grew up in the mountains of Colorado and has always have a lifestyle of running, Mountain biking, skiing, and believe it or not, sailing. Because of this I love shooting in the elements, whether it’s shooting on a remote island in Alaska, waist-deep in the swamps in Louisiana, or chasing competitive bike racers through the mountains of North Carolina. One of my goals is to one day be skiing down a crazy mountain with a camera in hand.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success looks like creating memorable films, continuously learning new skills, and creating connections with friends and colleagues.
Contact Info:
- Website: willgtravis.com
- Instagram: @willtravman13
Image Credits
1 Steadicam- Jingjing Lyu 2. Alaska – Ryan Setzer 3 Vagabond (on the dolly) – Aidan King 4 Ada and the Doc (camera on shoulder) – Yuuki Shimizu 5 Ada and the Doc Still
