Today I’m continuing my mini series on foreign filmmakers. Today our “plane” lands in the UK with Scottish filmmaker Den Lennie, founder of F-Stop Academy. Den is a man after my own heart. A 20+ year veteran in the business, Den’s career dates back to the time when cameras weighed hundreds of kilos (I’m speaking foreign talk. 😉 (BTW, his first paid gig was shooting a wedding for about 100 pounds.) I like Den so much because despite being a talented artist, like me, he knows and values the importance of having a keen business mind if you want to make a living in this business. He started F-Stop Academy with DSLR guru Philip Bloom (who has since had to leave the partnership due to time constraints). Through F-Stop Academy, Den teaches filmmakers not only the creative aspects of filmmaking, but his periodic emails also include great business advice for professional videographers and filmmakers. You’re going to love this episode.
Den gets down and dirty and opens up about how he always wanted to be a television camera man. Not a filmmaker, but a TV cameraman. From there he’s traveled the world, worked for the BBC, is a leading instructor and a highly sought after filmmaker. He worked closely with Sony on designing the NEX FS100. The work he did creating the first public video shot with the camera (see below) led to some awesome gigs, including filming the current Duran Duran concert. (Yes, THAT Duran Duran.) He shares with us his thoughts on whether or not a formal film school education is important, and he gives some great inspiration and education for you filmmakers and videographers who want to make a living at this. You don’t want to miss this!
Bumper music for this show is “Tater City” by Glenn Shambroom, part of the TRUE ROMANCE collection, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.
| Download MP3 | Subscribe in iTunes
]If you can’t see this video in your RSS reader or email, click here.
This was a great interview! So much practical advice business advice, I listened while I mowed, need to listen again so I can jot down some notes. Thanks Ron!