My name is Benton Brown and I am a cinematographer from Lethbridge, Alberta. I began creating films during my senior year in high school in 2007. Since then, my artwork has evolved in style and complexity and continues to do so to this day. My recent works are short narratives, which have challenged me to think outside the box to make them look as professional as possible. Whether it’s filming a realistic car crash in reverse or getting on to the roof of the tallest building in Lethbridge to get a panoramic shot, a student cinematographer must improvise to be successful. Although I believe having a strong script is important but a cinematographer also must be able to be flexible. Preparation and improvisation is key to how I do my work.
My current work differs from my older pieces in many ways. For one I am now using better quality equipment. But the biggest difference in my current work is the risk taking. Before I only used tripods for all my shots. Currently I am experimenting with dollies, steady-cameras, and free hand. Sometimes the shot does not look as good, but by experimenting you can really get a precious shot you were aiming for.
My creativity comes from researching endless amounts of music videos. I find they are interesting because they can involve many different techniques and shots, they are always changing, have many different themes, and they are short films like the ones I produce. Music videos are a great example of how much information can go into a short amount of time. That is my goal for all my films. Make them short, interesting, and enjoyable.
The reason I produce short films is because I want my audience to have an entertaining experience without consuming lots of their time. I believe you can have extremely powerful stories and themes in a film that is less than fifteen minutes.
I like being a student cinematographer because I get the chance to work with my cohort. However I prefer to be in charge of myself because I am confident in my abilities. This enthusiasm shows in my work and I will gladly present it to anyone.
