Private Project

Christina Ienna 2022

  • Christina Ienna
    Director of Photography
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 58 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

Christina Ienna is a Canadian cinematographer based in Toronto. She has extensive experience in documentary, narrative and commercial production. She is on the Board of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers and holds Associate Member status. Her vigorous devotion towards her craft makes Christina a versatile and collaborative ally to any production.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film and Communication Studies from the University of Windsor. She has fifteen years of industry experience working across Canada and the United States with companies such as TOURISM CANADA, VICE, CBC, AMAZON, LIFETIME, PIXAR and UNIVERSAL MUSIC.

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Director Statement

Growing up, I was innately fascinated with the behind-the-scenes features on our family DVDs more than the films themselves. I wanted to learn how the movie was actually made. I was a very imaginative kid that loved to draw, build things and pull them back apart out of curiosity. I was certain I was going to work in architecture or design until I picked up my father’s old Pentax 35mm camera. It was my introduction to taking photography seriously as a teenager and I loved the instant creation of imagery that film and digital cameras offered as a visual (and storytelling) medium over drawing and painting.

As a hands-on person, I was eager to find any kind of film related experience outside of university. I managed to intern at a small independent production company that happened to have the newly released RED One at the time. Having access to a cinematic camera confirmed not only my passion for the craft but made the idea of pursuing cinematography as a career tangible, especially growing up in a small town.

I come from a world of makeshift MacGyver type movie making. Over the years, I have worked with extremely limited resources and crew but still managed to find ways of upholding quality over budget. I try to be strategic in what I rent, having lit many sets with homemade rigs by frequenting hardware and craft stores for supplies. I find challenge is good at generating innovation and you really learn a great deal about yourself (and your crew) in a bind.

I strongly believe in the value of investing in myself over equipment and strengthen my abilities as a more versatile collaborator. I feel my own personal experiences and encounters offer a unique perspective, as a cinematographer's emotional connectivity to the material is always there in some way, translated within framing or lenses and other tools we choose. Documentary has developed my adaptable problem solving nature while narrative reinforced my acute attention to composition and detail. I light and move with intention, critical of how every element within the frame could serve the story.

To me, a cinematographer is a technician, a creative and a leader. This ever evolving craft requires true collaborative spirit and a clear vision to helm everything within the frame. I am always open and eager to any opportunity that will expand my abilities as a head of a department and cinematic artist. Bouncing back financially from the pandemic I have had to take on more commercial and documentary work over creative passion projects but hope to shoot more long format narrative work again soon. I am currently assembling my IATSE application with the encouragement of other union members in hopes a busy summer season in Toronto may lead to work as a second unit cinematographer or camera operator. Having the opportunity to be mentored by one of ASC Directors of Photography would be an incredible and invaluable experience.

Thank you for your consideration.

Christina Ienna
Director of Photography
Associate and Board Member of The Canadian Society of Cinematographers