I'd literally go to the cinema and watch a movie just for having you as DP. You're a great asset no matter what you do or what role, I'm sure the production will be extremely happy with what you've done!
I had dinner with you Jake. You wouldn’t remember because you weren’t there literally lol. I’m at a very very fancy restaurant by myself and I’ve watched your video with AirPods in during my feast and it felt like we were chilling. Thanks for providing all the dinner conversation.
The perfect video for me to watch right after co-directing and acting in my very first short film that I actually wrote. I’ve never worked on a traditional film set or really with a team of that caliber, coming from UA-cam, so it was definitely a learning experience. I def felt like an imposter the entire time, but at the same time felt so welcomed in and encouraged by the team! We all have value and creativity to add. Love your content as always! 🤩
I’ve wanted to make UA-cam videos for years and always given myself reasons not to. All of this is stuff I’ve known for years and it’s ridiculous. I see your work and think everything you make is awesome! I think trying to give yourself credit for the things you do is always so important. I need to start practicing what I preach 😂
you have no idea how much I relate to everything you have to say about the process of creating something and the struggles of it.. you have inspired me so much to start working on my long lost dream of film making.. I am quitting my job and moving to another country to start working with a friend..making films.. I really wish..someday I can be as good as you and produce the level of work you do.. really wish to work with you and learn from you someday..
I literally just started my channel last week and began this journey. I can def say your YT videos have def helped me even get started and has given me the correct perspective on how to look at this journey. Thank you for being you unapologetically! Be Blessed!
INCREDIBLE! as YT filmmakers, we are asking for breakdown of your colour grading, your editing > colour process. Your lights and volumetric lights (haze?). As beginners who need to learn after a million BS tutorials, we've finally found something to learn from. For example we would all like to know how you did the laudry room shot, and more. Anyway you're content is awesome. Keep it up! :)
Thank you for making this video. I'm not a UA-camr/filmmaker, but your words of wisdom were so spot on that I'm starting to think you have the super power to read people's minds!
I think what you describe how hard it is to fit vision and expectations is what makes people struggle in creative fields. As it is so hard and sometimes really stressful fulfilling your expectations, it becomes even harder if clients are involved, which often have high expectations but no vision (that's why they hire you). But bringing these worlds together, that really can mess with you as a creator, and makes this kind of jobs super hard!
Super excited for you Jake, well deserved for sure! I'm only just getting started on UA-cam, also an aspiring filmmaker (as my 3d career, not sure if it's feasible at 41). Still trying to find my lane here on the platform. Your videos are always super inspiring, in fact I'm going to finish the video I had planned for today but scrapped because I was disappointed in my work. I'll make it anyway, so thanks!!
Love that you got that experience on set. Also, thanks for your honesty on the UA-cam and traditional filmmaking spheres. I'm a third-year film student who just finished working on a mid-budget feature and has worked on several student, independent, and personal short films (I've DPed a few and worked as 2nd or 1st AC on others). So, I fall more into that traditional filmmaker area. Even though there are some legit filmmaking youtubers (Luc Forsyth, WanderingDP, Spenser Sakurai, Cine Dailies, Gian Carlo Stigliano, now Danny Gevirtz, and a few others), I've seen more than a fair share of youtubers following the short film and narrative filmmaking trend for what just seems to be clout. All of them overuse "cinematic", "anamorphic", "A24 look", "Netflix quality", etc. And they don't hardly ever come across to me as legitimate, experienced, or they just seem to use traditional filmsets as a way to pump their channel or their courses. They give nice little nuggets of info but also unwittingly spread some bad or surface level information on filmmaking. So many of them say you don't need film school and then plug their own "film" courses which only cover a mere fraction of what film school offers. Sorry. I could go on and on in this rant. But I'm glad you were more than honest about your experience before the film and your insights from the filmset as a youtuber branching out. And you genuinely wanted to help bring the film to life. Being DP takes a lot of experience, knowledge, and management skill. I love doing it but even I would prefer having a more experienced person be a DP over me so I can learn more from them.
As someone who watched tons of breakdown of commercial - Tenfold for example (just one of them) and your breakdown of a video with skateboard - I can say with confidence that in terms of production there are like 15%-20% difference between you and other DPs. Mostly in working with certain types of grips and equipment, which does not have that much of an impact on the final result of some projects. So in general, I would also take you to my place just by looking at your videos even if i am not a director
This was so great! Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m currently focussed on videos on modular synths with the idea of utilizing storytelling to pull everything together. The more I do it though, the bigger the draw is to make videos on other things and try to tell different stories. The process is so hard but rewarding and after working in design for a while, there’s something so freeing about a completely different medium. But within that, I’m definitely a bit of an imposter in anything film related. Sometimes, I might dream about what it may be like to do stuff like that but definitely feel held back by the idea that I need to be a pro in order to have any business with it in the first place. But yeah, I feel like if your work speaks for itself and then you get work from it, that’s all you want really. Congrats and I hope the road continues to be surprising and the best possible ways. Feel free to drop bread crumbs as you go of course. Thanks again!
I’ve been a quiet viewer for some time, and just want to say thank you. Thank you for being a huge inspiration for me! You’ve really inspired me to always push to be more creative in my videos! Keep going! I love your creative energy!
Imposter syndrome is so real on set! I still struggle with it as well. And it can be intimidating to hire or surround yourself with more experienced people, because it's so easy to internalize the comparison of what you don't know to the amount someone else might know. But this is exactly what you want to do! Just how you stated, Murphy's law, film making at a certain point almost purely becomes problem solving. Something will always inevitably happen that changes the course of the shoot or shot. At this point film making is having the right and experienced people around you to help pivot and make accurate decisions to mitigate and solve these "problems." And as productions grow in size, it really just adds in a more detailed workflow. Rather having a DoP who's wearing 5-10 hats worrying about cam-opping, sound, setting up camera, setting up lights, dialing in the lights, you now have the ability to focus on the story and the image and to direct your team. Some sets and industry jobs can be pretty cut-throat, but it is starting to shift a bit more and I think its this new era of accessibility to film making. We're all humans. We all make mistakes. No one, and I mean no one wants to work a 10-12 hour day with an insufferable, rude asshole. Being kind and open to what you do and don't know will get you further than trying head-strong on every project by knowing everything and being "the best." Larger set work still makes me nervous, but I am at a point in my career where I'm seeing my own work being capped because I just can't do it all on my own. You need a team. And yes there are a lot of nuanced terms and skills that come in every facet of individual job on a set, but it just comes down to communication, because if you have the right people there that know what they need to do, then you no longer have to worry about how that light needs to be rigged up there and at what intesity, if you can just communicate your vision to the key grip and gaffer. The constant thing I have to remind myself of is everyone on set is a CREATIVE. Not just the director or DoP. By trying to micro-manage or control every position you are taking that creative decision from others and they probably have the more knowledgeable answer to your problem. Lean into others knowledge and experience. Share what you want to achieve and how you want something to look and go from there!
great video as well! (hit enter too soon). also this isn't a critique. Just some similar things I'm feeling and hopefully it helps other with more confidence!
Hi, new to the channel but love everything I've seen so far. Apologies if you've been over this before, but did you shoot your talking head portion on film, or were you able to achieve that look some other way? Either way, it looks great. The softness of the image is impeccable, pretty much the exact look I want for my stuff.
I came from commercial and corporate filmmaking and that’s definitely a level of nightmare given all the hands, opinions and ideas thrown at you in the projects. I have fun on UA-cam doing the skate thing and I recently walked away from my professional work idk if I’ll return🤷🏽♂️ I’m really feeling the urge to start a filmmaking channel and go all in on exactly the things I want to do. Something scary happens though, since there’s no clients there’s no project 😂 I guess I’ll have to get creative 😅🎥❤️
There’s something to be said about making your own films, yeah you may not have to traditional lingo on set right but having an idea how to make good shots is a skill UA-cam affords filmmakers for sure!
Honestly man I have thought about the gap between the vision and the final product a lot, and how no one actually achieves what they saw in their head. Maybe, it’s because we get it wrong by confusing the vision as supposedly synonymous with the end product. If the vision were the starting point instead, and the we actually regarded the actual, physical end product as the final result it actually is, we wouldn’t all be so disappointed in ourselves or our output. But maybe our human brains need the dissatisfaction to keep motivated to get closer to our visions. I don’t know. What do you think?
"Calling myself a DP feels fraudulent"...this feeling. This is what is keeping me from starting my own youtube channel, in portuguese. I have all the skills, still this feeling that I am a fraud...oh man, it sucks.
I specifically learnt the terminology so that I can blend in on set, but my buddy, oh my one friend uses the dumbest terms for things on professional shoots and it's always hilarious😅 "Can we put the flashlight on with the cone nozzle at 28 000 kevins behind the actor to give him a rimjob"
“Calling myself a DP feels fraudulent”
*casually sets up a beautiful teal & orange talking head*
I'd literally go to the cinema and watch a movie just for having you as DP. You're a great asset no matter what you do or what role, I'm sure the production will be extremely happy with what you've done!
I had dinner with you Jake.
You wouldn’t remember because you weren’t there literally lol. I’m at a very very fancy restaurant by myself and I’ve watched your video with AirPods in during my feast and it felt like we were chilling.
Thanks for providing all the dinner conversation.
The perfect video for me to watch right after co-directing and acting in my very first short film that I actually wrote. I’ve never worked on a traditional film set or really with a team of that caliber, coming from UA-cam, so it was definitely a learning experience. I def felt like an imposter the entire time, but at the same time felt so welcomed in and encouraged by the team! We all have value and creativity to add. Love your content as always! 🤩
I’ve wanted to make UA-cam videos for years and always given myself reasons not to. All of this is stuff I’ve known for years and it’s ridiculous. I see your work and think everything you make is awesome! I think trying to give yourself credit for the things you do is always so important. I need to start practicing what I preach 😂
you have no idea how much I relate to everything you have to say about the process of creating something and the struggles of it.. you have inspired me so much to start working on my long lost dream of film making.. I am quitting my job and moving to another country to start working with a friend..making films.. I really wish..someday I can be as good as you and produce the level of work you do.. really wish to work with you and learn from you someday..
I literally just started my channel last week and began this journey. I can def say your YT videos have def helped me even get started and has given me the correct perspective on how to look at this journey. Thank you for being you unapologetically! Be Blessed!
INCREDIBLE! as YT filmmakers, we are asking for breakdown of your colour grading, your editing > colour process. Your lights and volumetric lights (haze?). As beginners who need to learn after a million BS tutorials, we've finally found something to learn from. For example we would all like to know how you did the laudry room shot, and more. Anyway you're content is awesome. Keep it up! :)
Mane, you inspired me to again remember why I started making videos
Thank you for making this video. I'm not a UA-camr/filmmaker, but your words of wisdom were so spot on that I'm starting to think you have the super power to read people's minds!
I think what you describe how hard it is to fit vision and expectations is what makes people struggle in creative fields. As it is so hard and sometimes really stressful fulfilling your expectations, it becomes even harder if clients are involved, which often have high expectations but no vision (that's why they hire you). But bringing these worlds together, that really can mess with you as a creator, and makes this kind of jobs super hard!
Really happy for you man, love your work. Keep it up!
Being Director of Photography is not an easy task. Congrats on landing this job!
Another wonderful video! Thank you sir!
Looking forward to this new phase from you. You belong in every set you get into because you're Jake Frew. ILYSM🖤
Super excited for you Jake, well deserved for sure! I'm only just getting started on UA-cam, also an aspiring filmmaker (as my 3d career, not sure if it's feasible at 41). Still trying to find my lane here on the platform. Your videos are always super inspiring, in fact I'm going to finish the video I had planned for today but scrapped because I was disappointed in my work. I'll make it anyway, so thanks!!
I love this channel. You are a breath of fresh air! Thank you 💕 very inspiring
you and shaffer are my biggest inspirations right now, just people making stuff for the love of the game! Keeps me motivated, keep it up!
Thanks for the insights! You're a legend.
crushing it. keep going
Love that you got that experience on set. Also, thanks for your honesty on the UA-cam and traditional filmmaking spheres. I'm a third-year film student who just finished working on a mid-budget feature and has worked on several student, independent, and personal short films (I've DPed a few and worked as 2nd or 1st AC on others). So, I fall more into that traditional filmmaker area. Even though there are some legit filmmaking youtubers (Luc Forsyth, WanderingDP, Spenser Sakurai, Cine Dailies, Gian Carlo Stigliano, now Danny Gevirtz, and a few others), I've seen more than a fair share of youtubers following the short film and narrative filmmaking trend for what just seems to be clout. All of them overuse "cinematic", "anamorphic", "A24 look", "Netflix quality", etc. And they don't hardly ever come across to me as legitimate, experienced, or they just seem to use traditional filmsets as a way to pump their channel or their courses. They give nice little nuggets of info but also unwittingly spread some bad or surface level information on filmmaking. So many of them say you don't need film school and then plug their own "film" courses which only cover a mere fraction of what film school offers. Sorry. I could go on and on in this rant. But I'm glad you were more than honest about your experience before the film and your insights from the filmset as a youtuber branching out. And you genuinely wanted to help bring the film to life. Being DP takes a lot of experience, knowledge, and management skill. I love doing it but even I would prefer having a more experienced person be a DP over me so I can learn more from them.
How cool to see this growth in your career man. Reach out when you're in South Florida to hang out!
As someone who watched tons of breakdown of commercial - Tenfold for example (just one of them) and your breakdown of a video with skateboard - I can say with confidence that in terms of production there are like 15%-20% difference between you and other DPs. Mostly in working with certain types of grips and equipment, which does not have that much of an impact on the final result of some projects. So in general, I would also take you to my place just by looking at your videos even if i am not a director
Heck yeah Jake! Your skill with a camera are better than movies! Excited for your new NYC adventure, and you getting to learn and create more :-):-).
I *love* the new color grading. Keep up the good work, Jake!
This was so great! Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m currently focussed on videos on modular synths with the idea of utilizing storytelling to pull everything together. The more I do it though, the bigger the draw is to make videos on other things and try to tell different stories. The process is so hard but rewarding and after working in design for a while, there’s something so freeing about a completely different medium. But within that, I’m definitely a bit of an imposter in anything film related. Sometimes, I might dream about what it may be like to do stuff like that but definitely feel held back by the idea that I need to be a pro in order to have any business with it in the first place. But yeah, I feel like if your work speaks for itself and then you get work from it, that’s all you want really. Congrats and I hope the road continues to be surprising and the best possible ways. Feel free to drop bread crumbs as you go of course. Thanks again!
Land of opportunity here if you’re willing to put yourself out there! Congrats on this step man! Keep it moving!
Sidebar: do you like the rigid pro back for your fx3? Been thinking about pulling the trigger on one recently
Really informative video. Nice work!
Also sweet stache man.
Bro, I just finished shooting my first film project recently and I can totally relate!
Stoked for you Jake, this step is well deserved.
Damn Jake, talk about making the dream come alive. Congrats!
Universal truths spoken here. Thank you.
the best collaborator in town! Everyone hire Jake to DP
Congrats @jakefrew your my biggest inspiration. I will never give up on creating a film👍😊
Btw I film everything in 4:3, I respect you uploading it like that. I do it for shorts and long form. Can’t beat the flexibility ❤
I’ve been a quiet viewer for some time, and just want to say thank you. Thank you for being a huge inspiration for me! You’ve really inspired me to always push to be more creative in my videos! Keep going! I love your creative energy!
Woow beautiful video!!! Loved it. This reminds me of peter mckinnion’s just a UA-camr!
Great video. Really inspiring
Imposter syndrome is so real on set! I still struggle with it as well. And it can be intimidating to hire or surround yourself with more experienced people, because it's so easy to internalize the comparison of what you don't know to the amount someone else might know. But this is exactly what you want to do! Just how you stated, Murphy's law, film making at a certain point almost purely becomes problem solving. Something will always inevitably happen that changes the course of the shoot or shot. At this point film making is having the right and experienced people around you to help pivot and make accurate decisions to mitigate and solve these "problems." And as productions grow in size, it really just adds in a more detailed workflow. Rather having a DoP who's wearing 5-10 hats worrying about cam-opping, sound, setting up camera, setting up lights, dialing in the lights, you now have the ability to focus on the story and the image and to direct your team. Some sets and industry jobs can be pretty cut-throat, but it is starting to shift a bit more and I think its this new era of accessibility to film making. We're all humans. We all make mistakes. No one, and I mean no one wants to work a 10-12 hour day with an insufferable, rude asshole. Being kind and open to what you do and don't know will get you further than trying head-strong on every project by knowing everything and being "the best." Larger set work still makes me nervous, but I am at a point in my career where I'm seeing my own work being capped because I just can't do it all on my own. You need a team. And yes there are a lot of nuanced terms and skills that come in every facet of individual job on a set, but it just comes down to communication, because if you have the right people there that know what they need to do, then you no longer have to worry about how that light needs to be rigged up there and at what intesity, if you can just communicate your vision to the key grip and gaffer. The constant thing I have to remind myself of is everyone on set is a CREATIVE. Not just the director or DoP. By trying to micro-manage or control every position you are taking that creative decision from others and they probably have the more knowledgeable answer to your problem. Lean into others knowledge and experience. Share what you want to achieve and how you want something to look and go from there!
great video as well! (hit enter too soon). also this isn't a critique. Just some similar things I'm feeling and hopefully it helps other with more confidence!
Cool!Thank You
Hi, new to the channel but love everything I've seen so far. Apologies if you've been over this before, but did you shoot your talking head portion on film, or were you able to achieve that look some other way? Either way, it looks great. The softness of the image is impeccable, pretty much the exact look I want for my stuff.
I came from commercial and corporate filmmaking and that’s definitely a level of nightmare given all the hands, opinions and ideas thrown at you in the projects. I have fun on UA-cam doing the skate thing and I recently walked away from my professional work idk if I’ll return🤷🏽♂️ I’m really feeling the urge to start a filmmaking channel and go all in on exactly the things I want to do. Something scary happens though, since there’s no clients there’s no project 😂 I guess I’ll have to get creative 😅🎥❤️
Another great video Jake
Goes to UA-cam just to check if there's a new Jake Frew video. Success :)
Stoked for you bro!!
you are way better than just a youtuber my guy. not eve debatable tbh.
I'm seeing a 4:3 video. My brain explodes! wow!
5:40 kazoo kid ❤
great thumbnail
There’s something to be said about making your own films, yeah you may not have to traditional lingo on set right but having an idea how to make good shots is a skill UA-cam affords filmmakers for sure!
Great thoughts as always Jake °¬)
Honestly man I have thought about the gap between the vision and the final product a lot, and how no one actually achieves what they saw in their head. Maybe, it’s because we get it wrong by confusing the vision as supposedly synonymous with the end product. If the vision were the starting point instead, and the we actually regarded the actual, physical end product as the final result it actually is, we wouldn’t all be so disappointed in ourselves or our output. But maybe our human brains need the dissatisfaction to keep motivated to get closer to our visions. I don’t know. What do you think?
"Calling myself a DP feels fraudulent"...this feeling. This is what is keeping me from starting my own youtube channel, in portuguese. I have all the skills, still this feeling that I am a fraud...oh man, it sucks.
Amazing video
Стильно однако и я уже тут сразу же
Hey bro you inspired me 😊
Where’s the pod?
Love from india
You look like kip from napoleon dynamite.
I specifically learnt the terminology so that I can blend in on set, but my buddy, oh my one friend uses the dumbest terms for things on professional shoots and it's always hilarious😅 "Can we put the flashlight on with the cone nozzle at 28 000 kevins behind the actor to give him a rimjob"
podcast
I hate that word UA-camr, like what the hell is that.
You're not look like a Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan
First