Meet Curt Apduhan

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Curt Apduhan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Curt below.

Curt, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Having started my career in the entertainment industry back in the 90’s, I often found myself being fairly unique on set. Not so much for my Japanese/Filipino heritage but for my conservative ethos and political beliefs. The cliche of Hollywood being more progressive than conservative is a reality and has been for the majority of my career.

I would venture to bet some of my longtime collaborators who read this article will find this revelation surprising. Some may even find it disturbing or sadly disappointing. If this is the case it represents the perfect example of how I have been able to build a successful career that has lasted over two decades while managing to retain my private personal life. For me the secret sauce to thriving while being the only one in the room is to provide the utmost value to those on set while keeping my personal opinions to myself (at least while at work).

It has not come easy. I have been “outed” by my production sound mixer on location only to be asked by the director not to return to set. She explained to me being a conservative represented everything her film was not. As a conservative she noted I stood for exclusion and that her film was all about inclusion and love. She actually told me to my face that I as a Christian stood for hate. To say I was a bit shaken by her rant is an understatement. So I followed her request and packed up my light meter and hit the road (I was over seas at the time so more specifically I flew the coup). Grace is real my friends.

So here’s the good news.

Hollywood is a place of accomplished, passionate, and decent folk. Most are focussed on the the mission and could careless about politics and religion. Yes, there are those who will actually hire based on political orientation and exclude anyone who does not follow their ethos. But there are thousands more who are ethical people who are tolerant of differences and are supporters of craft and accomplishment. My career is evidence of this fact.

My advice for those who find themselves the only one in the room who is different is to focus on the task at hand. Develop your skills and craft so you are so valuable that replacing you is not an option. And by all means keep your personal and political thoughts to yourself while applying your craft. That being said, never back down from who you truly are. Follow your heart and alway be respectful of others no matter the situation. Developing a thick skin is imperative.

You are known by the company you keep. Your career is a reflection of this. So continually work to improve your craft. Show up to work on time and with a smile on your face. My job as a cinematographer is to help others make their dreams come true. If you adopt this mindset to your craft I know you will create a fulfilling life well lived.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an old school cinematographer who has adapted traditional cinematography technique and craft from the film era to the new digital age. I find technology exciting and on balance a good thing. You can’t hold back the rain so it’s better to jump on in and get wet.

I do find today’s filmmakers much more technically advanced than the average crew member of the past. But I fear with the advent of new technologies which create fantastic imagery and work efficiencies, our industry is sadly losing the institutional knowledge of craft. Just owning great gear does not mean it will result in telling great stories. There is much value in the tradition of apprenticeship and we have lost much of this.

On the plus side when I mentor young filmmakers today I find there is a growing interest in the craft of cinematography. Just as there is a resurgence of folks wanting to spin vinyl records there are young filmmakers specifically interested in working with lighting control (grip equipment) and understanding lens selection, frame composition, and camera movement. I find these young filmmakers bored and unsatisfied with their work product resulting from using the latest gear which mirrors every other filmmaker shooting with the same camera and using the same LUT’s (“look up table” pre-packaged color grades used to apply proper luminance, contrast, and color to original camera footage). They hunger to make their stories stand out in look and texture. They want to create their own visual style. They seek to find their unique voice. This is where craft comes to play.

So I find value and satisfaction when I’m asked to pass on the craft I learned from my mentors. I’m proactive in my advocacy of film craft which moves me to volunteer my time to a local school district to mentor students in media arts and filmmaking. Sharing our knowledge is critical for us who have learned from the giants who have came before us. It is imperative in the evolution of our craft and to keep our beloved film industry relevant.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The value of having lived a long life in the ever changing film industry is the insights to success I have observed in those who have worked their way to the top.

1. Know your craft.
First and foremost you have to be expert at what you do. Expert does not mean being the best. It does mean you are the best you can be. And this is not an end point. Your craft is continually evolving. A producer whom I adore shared with me his key factor for a long successful career – “you simply have to do the work”. No faking it to you make it. When you are tapped on the shoulder to be responsible for shooting a film you must know what you are doing. If not you will quickly be replaced.

2. Be on time.
As the director of photography I am responsible for manufacturing the imagery that makes a motion picture. Aspects of this task include many craft departments not limited to camera, grip, and electric. I also have input on set design, wardrobe, makeup, and transportation. I advise post production color grading and time release prints and often supervise digital cinema packages (final digital files of the film projected at your local theater). Having this vast responsibility that stretches over the many departments of filmmaking, I can’t say I have took particular notice of a crew member showing up early. But I do remember the ones who have been late. Don’t be late.

3. Be true to yourself.
The movie business is known for type casting. This fact is not limited to actors. Directors, cinematographers, editors, composers, and even producers are all type cast. Some are known for drama or thrillers. Others rom coms or sci fi. So the take away is to get good at what you love. Because if you start to get hired for a genre you actually can’t stand you are going to be spitting in the wind. Better to take the time and make the effort to develop your talents and craft in a genre you love. A genre you are passionate about. Your off set life will be much better for it.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

At this point of my career I am blessed to be able to collaborate with folks who inspire me. Yes, I do work for hire because I still gotta eat and I don’t plan on ever retiring. But my interest is in meeting passionate filmmakers who’s company I enjoy and are committed to making their film.

I look upon my craft of cinematography as a way to impact lives through emotional moments. To have an audience be taken away from their daily grind. To create a common experience that can be passionately discussed over coffee after the screen fades to black. I seek collaborators who share in my passion in telling stories.

On set is where I feel most alive. Collaborating with young enthusiastic crew members blowing me away with their exceptional craft. “Doing the dance” with inspired actors while operating my camera as they move through my light. These are the magic movie making moments that are both intoxicating and infinitely rewarding. It is the fountain of youth.

So if you are passionate crew member or have an indie passion project, feel free to reach out to me. I will be happy to chat about how we might collaborate in making our dreams come true.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://curtapduhanofficial.godaddysites.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-apduhan-6a378271/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cacine

Image Credits

All photos courtesy of Curt Apduhan.