[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: What do filmmakers get wrong when they put together a camera package?
Jake Jalbert, Cinematographer/Filmmaker: I don’t see that side because I’m the guy that’s usually doing that. I can tell you how I do it.
Obviously, I start with my network of people. If I’m in LA shooting a project, which I just was, a film called Bot or Not, it’s a short film. My goal was to get a crane. How are we going to get a crane for this? I’ve never had a crane before of that caliber. I reached out to a buddy who’s in LA and I was like Hey, nobody has a crane. He gave me a guy’s name. Then the director, we were talking to the same guy so he was cool. He had a camera package, the Sony Venice. I was like If we have an ideal camera for this, the Sony Venice would be the camera we want. We’re shooting on an LED wall where the Sony Venice performs the best. They shot Avatar on this camera. It’s crazy.
So starting with your network and just asking around who starts putting out feelers and then have a dream package of what you want. My goal was obviously the Sony Venice. Originally I was looking into the Sony FX3…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
About:
Jake Jalbert began his journey into producing and cinematography 14 years ago, shooting his first feature film, *House Guest Massacre* (2013), starring Alex Vincent from the *Child’s Play* franchise (as Andy Barclay). Over the years, he’s worked his way up by contributing to numerous films and TV shows, collaborating with actors such as Burt Reynolds, Amy Smart, Sean Astin, Michael Shannon, Alexander Ludwig, and Charles Melton. From 2020 to 2024, Jake served as Director of Photography on several films, beginning with *Mind Games*, starring A-list talents Robert LaSardo, Jim Fitzpatrick, and Michael Paré, as well as *Soulmates*.
Jake was later hired to shoot two studio films, *Megaboa* and *Shark Waters*, both of which had small theatrical releases through The Asylum, the studio behind the *Sharknado* franchise. In addition, Jake was the cinematographer for the Tubi original film *DC Down*, directed by Geoff Meed and starring Eric Roberts and Sean Young.
In 2023, Jake produced and shot his most ambitious project to date, *Off Rip* (Sports/Drama), directed by and starring Jadon Cal, which is currently in post-production.
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