In this episode of Crew Tales, Life in the Circus, Dustin Trernard sits down with cinematographer Christopher Charles Kempinski (IATSE 669) to talk about the real job behind “making pretty pictures”: translating script into visuals, servicing a director’s vision, and leading a team with clarity and calm.

Chris traces his path from skate videos and high school projects to major studio sets, commercials, and award-winning web series work. Along the way, we dig into why old movies still hit, what modern filmmaking sometimes loses to formula, and the gear (and principles) Chris keeps coming back to, from the Sony VENICE to lenses with character, to the Hudson Spider REDBACK.

Topics we cover

Turning words into images: what a cinematographer actually does

Coming up through lighting vs camera department (and how it shapes your instincts)

Learning by watching great DPs work (and why you shouldn’t rush to “the chair”)

Spielberg-style audience perspective, and the psychology of framing

Film vs digital: highlight roll-off, shadow detail, and why film still feels like magic

Go-to tools: Sony VENICE internal ND workflow, character lenses, REDBACK, Titan tubes

Guest

Christopher Charles Kempinski

Cinematographer (IATSE 669)

Links

Official website:

- Chris Kempinski | Cinematographer: https://chriskempinski.com/

IMDb:

- Christopher Charles Kempinski: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1922590/

IATSE Local 669:

- International Cinematographers Guild (Local 669): https://www.iatse669.com/

Riese / Streamy reference:

- Streamy Awards (Craft Awards “Best Cinematography” clip): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_3w3yD7yY0

- Streamys “Craft Awards” archive (Riese listed): https://www.streamys.org/history/

Subscribe for more conversations with the crew behind the camera: cinematography, lighting, sound, producing, and the wild career paths that keep sets moving.

#Cinematography, #Filmmaking, #FilmCrew, #BehindTheScenes, #IATSE669