“To me, if there’s an achievement to lighting and photography in a film, it’s because it’s not really about the lighting and photography. It’s about where you place the audience and the emotional connection that it creates.”
Growing up in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, JC has been an avid lover of movies. He fully recalls seeing “Star Wars” in 1977 at three years old, and he carries the experience and emotional influence it had on him as one of his sources of inspiration. He also recalls walking in downtown Chicago in 1993 with his parents when they walked down to the Chicago Board of Trade building, only to accidentally wander onto a film set where the Cohen Brothers were filming, “The Hudsucker Proxy.” Although he didn’t get to meet anyone in particular, he was awestruck by the enormity of the production; he would find out later that one of his all-time favorite cinematographers, Roger Deakins, was the DP for that movie.
Initially in life, JC did not get opportunities to start working in film. He went on to study pharmacy, and is presently a pharmacy manager. However, he is looking to transition away from healthcare and into the creative arts, as he feels that happiness in what you do is far more important than anything else. He does not dismiss the value of the experiences he has received as a pharmacist and as a manager, and he realizes the true value in what it means to help those in need.
As a filmmaker in several indie short films and documentary projects, JC has worn several of the proverbial hats across all phases of production: producer, director, cinematographer, camera operator, boom operator, post production editing in color grading and sound design, just to name a few positions. Ultimately, he felt his calling as a cinematographer would be the role he would dedicate himself to learning. He feels a profound connection to creating story and emotion through imagery - so much so that he is also an ardent photographer. He has shot several images of various types: landscape, portrait, and even pet photography.
At 51 years old, JC realizes that his dream of working on large-scale productions in order to gain membership to the American Society of Cinematographers. Nevertheless, he does not let this crush his goals to become the best he can be in the world of cinematography.
JC is currently a member of the Professional Photographers of America as well as a student in Shane Hurlbut’s Filmmakers Academy. He networks extensively and travels to any location he can in order to meet and work with others.