Arman Khan, Cinematographer, Talks Exceeding Your Director슬롯사이트�s Expectations And Following Heart Above Money

While some of his fellow filmmaking students were living it up at pubs and parties, was busy acquiring real-world experience 슬롯사이트� joining the ranks at 슬롯사이트�blokey슬롯사이트� camera departments to absorb every technical detail of her trade as an assistant. It was a move that allowed him to shoot to DOP status within three short years of graduating; a feat many can only dream of achieving after a decade in the industry. He슬롯사이트�s defined the look and feel of video pieces for clients such as ITV, Under Armour, Bose and recently collaborated with FKA Twigs for his much-hyped Audi commercial

슬롯사이트�Do You Believe in More?슬롯사이트�.

With an upcoming MTV music video under his belt, we caught up with the eternally busy Arman khan across continents, as he shot a new project in Scotland , to talk earning trust, exceeding your director슬롯사이트�s expectations and staying healthy to counteract 슬롯사이트�brutal hours on set슬롯사이트�.

How would you describe what you do?

I work as a director of photography, mainly on commercials and music videos at the moment, but I also shoot narrative projects.

What does a typical working day look like?

If I슬롯사이트�m shooting, I could be on my feet for 12 to 19 hours a day, door-to-door. When I슬롯사이트�m not shooting, I슬롯사이트�m either: catching up with admin, reading new scripts or treatments, attending a colour-grade session, meeting directors or producers for a chat, checking out art or photography exhibitions, going to the cinema, or prepping for a shoot. I also go for long walks daily and to GYM classes when I슬롯사이트�m not shooting. You need to be fit and healthy in order to survive the brutal hours on set!

How collaborative is your work?

Very; it슬롯사이트�s 100% collaboration every step of the way and I love that. I talk a lot to my gaffer about the look and and the type of light I슬롯사이트�m trying to create, and try to communicate with costume, hair and makeup. I also work as closely as possible with my director and production designer.

What tools do you use most for your work?

A light metre, view finder and a laser pointer. I use a digital stills camera to check exposure. I mainly shoot on an ALEXA [camera] or film, if it슬롯사이트�s right for the project.

How I Got Here

What did you want to be growing up?

I wanted to be an Actor, a Vfx designer a farmer, a casting director then somehow ended up working as a DP!

How (if at all) is the subject you studied useful to your current role?

It슬롯사이트�s not directly linked, but for what I do, every and any education or life experience is useful. I think you need to be a rich and colourful person in order to create interesting work that will resonate with an audience. I studied a really general filmmaking course, and I kind of went to film school because I needed a reason to stay [in the UK]. It was mainly theory, and it wasn슬롯사이트�t very practical; we literally had only two weeks of cinematography, so we didn슬롯사이트�t learn much to do with cameras. I think I just fell into my role, because there슬롯사이트�s no clear path for anyone to become a DP. Everyone does it differently.

What were your first jobs?

I슬롯사이트�ve never worked for a company. I슬롯사이트�ve done some part-time jobs, like waiter at a restaurant but I was pretty awful at holding a tray properly. I started working as a camera assistant on short films and smaller projects while I was studying. I thought, you have to do it to learn it 슬롯사이트� you can슬롯사이트�t just imagine what it슬롯사이트�s like to be on set. I was working while my friends were partying 슬롯사이트� I wasn슬롯사이트�t very sociable, I have to admit. I learned the basics as a camera assistant, but I didn슬롯사이트�t like the blokey-ness of the camera department.

Thinking Ahead

Could you do this job forever?

Yes. I cannot think of a better job.

Words of Wisdom

What advice would you give to a young creative wanting to become a director of photography?

Follow your heart, not the money. If you can have side jobs or income to support yourself while you build up your reel that슬롯사이트�ll be ideal. I used to do camera-operation jobs for TV programmes and events when I was starting out as a DP, to support myself financially. Surround yourself with the people and friends who inspire you. Dedicate yourself fully to a project you believe in, work hard and do your best. Support and collaborate with your production team, crew and the director. Exceed your director슬롯사이트�s expectations. Put yourself out there, promote yourself 슬롯사이트� the internet is great for that.