ASC Vision Mentorship Program

“Now You See Us” Narrative Film
bit.ly/NowYouSeeUsFilm
A comedy celebrating strong older women commenting on ageism in Hollywood.

“The Waltz” Music Video -
bit.ly/TheWaltzHDRough
This narrative music video is an anti-capitalist, feminist, and post-modern dystopia critique on what Purgatory would be for today’s American banker.

  • Danna Kinsky
    Cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Music Video, Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 16 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Awards List

    https://www.dannakinsky.com/awards
Director Biography

BIO -
I loved the visual arts since I can remember myself. For my 6th birthday in Israel, my grandfather gifted me a medium-format camera. I had the fortunate opportunity to visit the set of the TV show "Saved by the Bell," where I was captivated by the shiny gear rather than the actors.It was then that I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker, and I have never looked back. During high school, I completed my first documentary, and I was accepted into the only television station in Israel. I earned a BFA from Tel Aviv University, in the middle of which I worked as a grip on an AFI film grad feature in LA. In 2000, I moved to New York and found inspiration and joy working as a Camera PA on Gus Van Sant's "Finding Forrester," which solidified my career path in cinematography. Finally settling in Los Angeles in 2003, I fully dedicated myself to professional cinematography and camera operating.

As a bicultural global citizen, I embrace the opportunity to travel and film in various countries, collaborating with diverse personalities across language and cultural barriers. This versatility extends to my roles as a cinematographer, camera operator, and certified drone pilot, making me an invaluable asset in this "turnkey" world.

Drawing inspiration from revered cinematographers and directors, my work embodies a worldly perspective. With over 30 years of experience, my portfolio encompasses an array of award-winning projects, including narrative films, documentaries, music videos and commercials. I possess a keen ability to capture the effervescence of fleeting moments and explore the depths of character truths, creating visually impactful and emotionally resonant narratives. Notably, my recent film "Now You See Us" has garnered accolades, screening at 24 festivals.

My work has been showcased in theaters and on streaming platforms, as well as on broadcast and cable TV networks including Amazon, Netflix, ABC, PBS, NBC, FOX, MTV, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and in Israel.

My strong social and networking skills have cultivated lasting collaborations with numerous vendors, granting me access to an extensive array of state-of-the-art gear for free. This empowers me to bring valuable resources and expertise to the indie film industry, elevating the quality and capabilities of my work.

As a member of The ASC MITC since 2016, I immerse myself in cutting-edge technologies combining technical aptitude with a curious mindset to ask the right questions and push the boundaries of innovation.

Beyond cinematography, I am deeply passionate about the intersection of film and music. I have lensed hundreds of bands, capturing the essence of their music. Recently, I realized my lifelong dream of filming Pearl Jam live on tour. My photography has also graced Los Angeles gallery exhibits for 20 years, with two distinctive collections. Abstract Experimental Art, and my Burning Man Art Project that empowers and inspires women to embrace their bodies confidently. Finally, I have had the honor of photographing ASC cinematographers for the esteemed American Cinematographer Magazine, showcasing my artistic vision and keen eye for detail.

Organization Affiliations
The ICFC - International collective of female cinematographers
The ASC MITC - America Society of Cinematographers Motion Imaging Technology Council
CML - Cinematography Mailing List
DCS - Digital Cinema Society
FA - Filmmakers Alliance
WIMPS - Women In Moving Pictures Salon

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My interest in cinematography cemented at a young age. I’m very lucky to have found my calling so early in life. Cinematography is not just a profession for me; it is an integral part of my identity and self-expression. Infusing love and passion into my work gives my life unmatched significance.
Cinematography is an artistic, eclectic, challenging, and rewarding field. I believe cinematography has the power to communicate with people through images, illuminating and contributing to humanity. Our world will always benefit from more people emotionally connecting to themselves, others, their surroundings and the planet. I strive to help stories come to life on screen for this purpose. Creativity involves taking risks and telling stories in unique ways. Through my work, I aim to evoke emotions, inspire wonder, create change and offer fresh perspectives on life, making the world a better place.

I thrive on creating a meaningful connection between the director's intent and the viewer’s perspective. I enjoy carefully and meticulously preparing and envisioning the shots. I love exploring the visual metaphors and the symbolic communication of light and how it can illuminate the subtext. Light and color are vital, paralleling dialogue as integral story components. I synthesise the emotional reality of characters, their environment, and the story's evolution. I help the director create the space for actors to perform to elicit emotional reactions while pushing the boundaries of creativity through composition, movement, lighting, and shadow.

Career Challenges:
My biggest challenge is the lack of Diversity and Opportunity. Moving from Israel to the U.S. was driven by the absence of female cinematographers in my home country. However, the challenge persisted in LA, with limited gender diversity, wage gaps, and less opportunity in the narrative market. Yet, I'm optimistic about the positive shift, with organisations like ASC leading by example.
Another significant challenge I face is effective and appropriate communication on and off set. I need more skills in mastering the politics and diplomacy that are crucial to a successful career and a good reputation.
On-set time management has been an ongoing challenge, hindering my ability to work efficiently and effectively across different budgets and circumstances.
The ongoing challenge of finding my "Set Family" and a breakthrough in my career is intricately linked to the disadvantages stemming from the inability to leverage local film school relationships and projects.

Goals
My short-term goals: Break into the industry, start having a financially sustainable career, work on projects I truly believe in, finding those synergetic talented professionals who share my passion and possess genuine kindness.
I strive to join impactful projects that empower underrepresented individuals, offering visibility and inspiring positive change.
Master working efficiently with the available resources (time, equipment, budget, crew) to transform limitations into opportunities. I strive for speed to make the day.
My long-term goal is creating inspiring masterpieces for future generations.
My dream is to be a member of the ASC and to continue my role with the MITC to shape cutting-edge technology with fellow tech enthusiasts.