Hello everyone!
I'm a cinematographer with over a decade of industry experience. Raised just outside of Atlanta, GA, I had a love of movies and a dream of filmmaking since I was very little. As my parents like to say, I knew how to put a VHS tape in a VCR almost as soon as I could walk.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Digital Filmmaking and Multimedia Communication from Georgia Southern University. While at GSU, I moved from Editing to find my true love in Cinematography. In 2010, I moved to Los Angeles, where I attended USC’s School of Cinematic Arts; furthering my education in Cinematography and earning an MFA in Film & Television Production.
Since then, I’ve shot over 80 projects - ranging from narrative features, series, and shorts to documentaries, commercials, and music videos. My upcoming work includes 3 narrative features, currently in post-production, as well as several narrative features and documentaries in various stages of development or production.
In 2021, I was honored with an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for my work on the hit documentary, The Social Dilemma. The film took a unique hybrid documentary-narrative approach, and I shot the narrative sequences of the film.
As you’ve noticed, quite a bit of my work spans narrative and documentary. Which brings us to the main topic today: the differences between these types of cinematography (spoiler - not much). Of course, please don’t feel restricted to this topic alone. If other questions come to mind - whether it be lighting, cameras, lenses, or something else - ask away and I’ll do my best to answer.
As always, it’s important to remember that just as every project is different, so too is everyone’s personal journey and process. Every day, I’m continuing to learn and grow, but I hope that I can share at least a bit of that experience with you.
Gotcha, Jonathan Pope. Thanks for the extra insight.
2 people like this
What interesting questions, answers, and comments from all here. Jonathan, your wide-ranging background and experience certainly come through with insights and advice. I especially like the idea of a...
Expand commentWhat interesting questions, answers, and comments from all here. Jonathan, your wide-ranging background and experience certainly come through with insights and advice. I especially like the idea of a 'special signal' to the crew to keep filming. Back in the 80's/90's the director Leslie Dektor did that on commercials and it soon became a "thing". Certainly like you note, it can be helpful to capture times and doings that aren't necessarily on the shot list but do support the mood and message. Thanks for all the helpful advice!
2 people like this
Jonathan - Yes, on the signal to roll! Even on scripted shows I've worked on, sometimes I see the camera pointing at a great sunset or something cool happening that gets filmed maybe while we are waiting for something. And some of these make it into the final cut. That's fun!
1 person likes this
Parabéns pela experiência! Jonatan Papa, dizem que bons cineastas vêm da Geórgia? Gostaria de saber mais sobre isso.
1 person likes this
Jonathan Pope thank you, Jonathan. The screenplay title is called “Breathe” and I wrote it during last year’s November Write Club. It’s on my bio page.
It’s a poetical conversation between a young poe...
Expand commentJonathan Pope thank you, Jonathan. The screenplay title is called “Breathe” and I wrote it during last year’s November Write Club. It’s on my bio page.
It’s a poetical conversation between a young poet and her older self, so there is a rhythm to it, that you wouldn’t get with say a drama. So not ‘dialogue heavy’ more dialogue light!!
It’s set in a forest, so it is location over studio shoot. There may be one shot which calls for SFX.
Thanks for your reply and apologies that I’ve only just seen your reply.