Mike Pecci

HAHA yeah!

Thanks for your response. I went to your website and your work is stunning! Where did you go to school?

I?ve been training to be a DP and have shot about 15 short films, 1 Television pilot, 2 music videos, and recently my first feature. The unfortunate thing is that since film school (NYFA) they have all been on video. Main reason for that has been the independent scene here in Boston tends to want video. It?s been great because it has forced me to be ultra creative with video and stretch the limits of the format putting me high on this towns list, but there is always that tugging at my heart to become a ?professional? and that means finally shoot film. I have spent time slowly familiarizing myself with the gear and have surrounded myself with an exceptional lighting and camera crew. But I just haven?t had the chance to put my hands on the format and screw it up(I say that because I?m sure I will the first time and actually look forward to it. Seem to learn more that way). My strength has always been camera work (compositions and movement), lighting has taken me much longer to master (mainly back to the Indi thing again. Producers don?t want the large units or crew needed to maintain the lovely big sources). Needless to say it?s very frustrating. Sure I can go crew for people as a grip or AC (I?ve done it in the past). Carrying C-Stands and babysitting Lenses has taught me a lot so far. It just doesn?t give you the chance to test your concepts and skills as a DP. I know almost everyone on here is in the same boat, and I?m really not expecting the golden answer that will solve all my problems. There is a reason why most DP?s are over 40..haha. And no one is ready to pull someone up through the ranks just to have them take the future jobs. So I will keep struggling and if anyone has any tips or suggestions in which direction to struggle I would appreciate it greatly! Thanks for being here and continuing to inspire!

Where did you learn your 35mm Skills? I?m curious to hear the war stories and tales of how you learned how to helm the mighty 35mm format. Film School? Assistant Camera positions? Or just sinking cash and playing? How did you do it? What gave you the opportunity?

I agree completely. As a DP I have learned how to digitally grade my own work so not only do I know how to shoot for post but can also give better direction if someone else is going to correct it. It's an awsome tool, no different than the use of chemical processing as a tool.

So here is a great example of getting lucky. I was recently tested on an extremely low budget feature at a ?slightly? controlled location. Basically we didn?t have control of this diner until after 3PM..but the production had us show up two hours early to basically do what we always do in film?wait. The script called for the actors to be in front of a giant front window during the day. Well shooting this in the dead of January in New England means the sun is useless by 3:30 and that I would have a BIG set-up ahead of me and not the time or amount of crew for it. So I sat waiting? and watching this family finish their meal in front of the window drooling over the light set-up the God had provided. It was perfect, and I was sad because I knew there was no way I could recreate that with the tools I had. So as soon as that family finished their last bite I hustled the crew and was able to jam out the scene just barely before the sun died. It?s one of my favorite set-ups in the film and I will lie my ass off about how long it took us to light it when asked. With lighting sometimes you just get lucky. Shot on XL-2 with mini55 and Zeiss super speed primes.