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and hitting record. You must have that vision of your “painting” in your mind and use the tools available to reproduce your vision for all to see.
The lighting, the type of camera(s), the movement of the camera, the position of the camera, how everything is positioned in front of the camera, and most of all your technique in manipulating all of those various things to create your picture…it’s just a rush to see it all fall into place as you saw it in your mind.
Brandy Reign: What is your favorite film and why?
Tom Stoops: There are so many, I don’t know what my one favorite would be…I have many favorites. I love the classic films as well as the more recent productions, but I enjoy silent movies as well. The ability to convey a message without sound was an art form in itself. Buster Keaton was amazing and what’s a silent movie without Nosferatu. The Universal monster movies were always my favorite as a child and still are. The George Romero zombie movies are very high on my list and Shaun of the Dead has to be an all-time favorite of mine.
Brandy Reign: Who or what is your biggest influence?
Tom Stoops: I’m not sure of who has truly influenced me who’s in the business per se, but I admire Werner Herzog. He is self-taught such as myself and I love his work. I would say that my family influences me as well as inspires me to never give up.
Brandy Reign: Through your personal experience, what cameras or equipment would you suggest to cinematographers?
I would say to use any camera you can get your hands on. It’s not the equipment, but
Tom Stoops: I would say to use any camera you can get your hands on. It’s not the equipment, but the person manipulating the camera and ability to tell the story to the viewer. Just because you have the best camera money can buy, does not mean that you’re going to be the next Janusz Kaminski or Tonino Delli Colli.
Brandy Reign:Have you ever acted in any movies, directed, been a grip? Or have you always loved the cameras?
Tom Stoops: I have done a little bit of everything. When working on projects that have low budgets, you have to have knowledge of just about everything…wear may hats as they say. Plus, I have a hard time sitting back while everyone else is having all the fun. I like to get my hands dirty.
Brandy Reign: Do you have any advice to anyone out there trying to pursue a career in the movie business?
Tom Stoops: Never give up! There is always something to learn no matter how experienced you are. If this is something you love doing, I promise that you won’t want to stop.
Brandy Reign:What does the rest of 2017 have entailed for you?
Tom Stoops: I met up with a fantastic film maker and one hell of a guy named John Reign who owns Polestar Studios. We’re gearing up this year to make some killer movies for you all to enjoy and we are not going to stop! I can tell you that we have some incredible projects lined up for next year as well as the years to come. I am stoked and I cannot wait to get started!