Cinematography in Canada Since 1957

#emmadjwa #AssociateMemberCSC @emmadjwa
Elle EPK S1

Shooting socials is a brand new world! It’s satisfying to try and find a shot that works for both 9x16 and 16x9 - my challenge to myself was to fill the edges of the frame with new info so seeing the same video on instagram and youtube could be interesting. I’d keep both framelines on my monitor (5in SmallHD on my fx6) to maintain the image and be constantly thinking of socials. I think this is a big question for all of us that believe in visual storytelling - How does the medium change when the viewing platform changes? Would love to hear your thoughts!

This first still was done by photographers @kickassjess and Justine Yeung. We lit together then I did a video version and Jessica did the still version.

Starring @leximinetree @chandlerlkinney Zac Looker @gabbypolicano @jacobmoskovitz

Senior Unit Publicists: Carole Appleby, Michelle Welygan

#emmadjwa #AssociateMemberCSC @emmadjwa

@416cw says not too take myself too seriously, and I don’t! But boy do public posts heat up the imposter syndrome!!

1. I worked for a lamp op for 2 years in the midst of my camera work. Not enough to be great, but as a chance to learn what it takes to light a set, and how to host an 18k party.

2. I own an fx6, and it’s brilliant. My Monday - Friday is focused on operating union work, but my fx6 kit allows me to trust my setup when I take on docs, something I underestimated until this camera. It also allows me to do EPK work, which has been a fabulous part of my income and my work.

3. Hiring techs for skill is the only way to do it. Femme techs are often fantastic at their jobs. To hire properly, you have to have the context of the industry. Hiring crew means supporting them and creating an environment they succeed in. I back my crew through contracts, learning and being clear what environment the set is.

#femaledp #cinematography

#emmadjwa #AssociateMemberCSC @emmadjwa

Lovers (2024)

This was a fun one! Director @joywebs and I played with reflections at the cinematography intensive. By visually trapping the characters in a reflective surface we helped to emphasize their emotional turmoil.

A satisfying first for me was mixing anamorphic and spherical lenses. I was worried the difference in lenses would pull the audience out, but it was seamless!

Dir. @joywebs
Produced by. @cfccreates & the CSC
Starring. Golden Madison & Bella Cabellero
Cam Op. @claire.sanford.cinematographer

#emmadjwa #AssociateMemberCSC @emmadjwa
Are We Done Now (2023)
Feature
Couldn’t find my overheads so here’s a spec sheet because we had 2 time periods and 3 different looks.

Starring: Gabrielle Miller, Favour Onwuka, Elliott Ramsey, Nathalie Farrow, Giacamo Baessato, Jennifer Spence & Camille Sullivan.

Executive Producers: Jack Ong, Gosha Wen, Ben Immanuel, Ben Lu, Richard J. Lewis, Franco Pante, Pieter Stahtis
Producers: Ben immanuel, Kimi Aledandra Bernie Yao, Troy Mundle
Writer/Director: Ben Immanuel
1st AC: Sabrina Burnett
2nd AC: Nathalie Taylor
Gaffer(s): Mike Lightfoot & Libby Olson

#EmmaDjwa #AssociateMemberCsc @emmadjwa

Spent this past week on an NFB doc with a brilliant team.

I love documentary because it gives me the chance to step into someone else’s shoes. I get to sit and learn about unique lives, sometimes ground breaking, terrifying, heartbreaking, and sometimes just plain odd. It’s always an honour to sit with other’s lived experiences.

Documentary is crucial. In a different way than unscripted work is. Documentary brings an honesty and sincerity. It’s crucial for DPs as well. Our lenses have power. Beyond learning how to work with small crews and budgets, it’s crucial for learning about the heart of cinematography. It’s easy to forget how big our cameras are, and how biased our lens placement is. Documentary, done properly, demands attention to the real world.

To shoot documentary you have to make space beyond what space you need to make in narrative. when you’re shooting documentary you can be relieving anything from the best to worst day of someone’s life. If the team behind the camera are tuned in, then the audience won’t be either.

Kirsten Johnson talks of being withy people as she films them, she interviews them while operating and what remains of the viewer is complete humanity. When interviewing someone for a documentary I think of Kirsten Johnson, I make sure I am present with the subject and with the content of the film. Of course, I fail, things must be organized and our job demands stupid amounts of phone time, but the goal is always presence.

#EmmaDjwa #AssociateMemberCsc @emmadjwa
Hello! My name is Emma Djwa and I’m a cinematographer and camera operator in Vancouver. I live on the unceded territory of the
xʷməθkʷəy’em (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwəta /Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations, and I’m grateful to be here and to continue learning about and supporting reconciliation and decolonization.

I love the csc and I am so honoured by the chance to share my work. Thank you Carolyn for keeping guest hosting running all these years 💕 @416cw

Being a cinematographer has been a dream and a mainstay and a burr and a blur and above all, a driving force in my life. It’s been a privilege to earn a living telling stories. And playing pretend ;)

Few facts.
1. If it’s a strange shot I want to shoot it.
2. Real black licorice > other candy
3. My partner and I have a massive extended family and I love them all.
4. I worked at CBC News as a videographer in Nunavut
5. If not working, I will be making art or reading.

I’m an ICG 669 operator, a CSC associate member, the events lead for West Coast CSC, and I’ve been holding cameras since I was 2. Swipe to watch me Benjamin button.

Off we go! 🎥🦒

#cinematographer #cinematography #cameraoperator

#MattIrwinCSC @irwincine

Well, that’s enough outta me!
Thanks a million to the CSC and @416cw for having me, and to all of you for reading and engaging… I hope it was at the very least entertaining.

I’m going to leave you with a pile of favourite crew family photos, along with proof that I once had no beard and wore colours other than black. While I don’t want to turn this into a retrospective of a very much in-progress career, I do want to thank some formative mentors for all you taught me: @mwicscasc @gaffdaddy @hollywood.1964

Come say hello sometime @irwincine or better yet, in real life! In the immortal words of every cinematographer ever, probably: “I’m available.”

See ya down the road.
🫶🎥

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📸 Known photo credits:
1- @nimrabucha 2,13,17- @mwicscasc 5- @thefawz 6- @thecoffeeman71 7- Ryan Zaragoza 16- @squashfalconer 19- patty_bamber_bonelli_photog 20- @gzoz

PS, I hit the tag limit! Sorry if I missed you!