Meet Joseph Wise | Director of Photography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Wise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
As a cinematographer, a large part of my process consists in collaboration with the directors I work with. For me, my biggest values within this space are honesty and trust, and in order for these two to co-exist, intimacy (which I have grown to find is the magic word) must be present within those collaborations.

Trust is important in any relationship, but especially in a creative space, I have found that trust offers a window large enough for any idea, good or bad to be brought about. In the filmmaking process, you aren’t just telling a story with the director, you are putting your faith in so many different people who are (hopefully) just as good in their own way and lane. It takes trust in them and vice versa for the whole picture to be painted. Its really quite symbiotic. The same can be said with honesty. It’s especially difficult for someone like myself, to be honest about creative ideas. It’s a vulnerable process. Which is why creating such an intimate place with your closest collaborators only allows for the evolution of the filmmaking process to grow in greater directions. The expression of it becomes more real.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My job is pretty cool. It’s cool because very few people know what it is I do. I am a Director of Photography (DP for short or in layman’s terms, a Cinematographer). My job in short entails creating the look and feel of the project along side a few other key collaborators like the Productions Designer, Director, and Colorist to name a few. And translating that feeling into visuals through light and framing.

The role of DP allows me to channel and express so much and can be incredibly creative. It’s also a super technical job. Which is fun becase through technical challenges, comes a creative solution. I think my approach is different because my first and biggest step is understanding the characters within the story which will ultimately guide me through the rest of the process of prep, production and post. It’s about whats in the frame and what it needs to feels like. And the most terrifying part of my job is the question of “will they (the audience) feel it too? Will it hit them like a ton of bricks or will they be waiting for it?”.

I’m proud of my approach and it seems to be working as I think it has allowed me to work with some pretty terrific people who see story and film in a very unique way. I’m proud of the people I work with. Proud of myself for being chosen by and for choosing them. And I’m excited to continue expanding and meeting more people who see the world differently and similarly.

It’s been a really long journey, almost 20 years if you consider the first time picking up a camera at age 5 the beginning. A lot of people have guided me to where I am now. I’ve met a lot of talented people along the way as well as a lot of people who have shown me what not to do. I’ve been fascinated with story and film my whole life, and my role models, like Roger Deakins and Emmanuel Lubezki have given me a North Star to aim for. They have become heroes to me really.

It’s never easy achieving a dream. And I would say I’m pretty still far from that achievement as it takes a lifetime of work and mastery. But it’s certainly on its way. Having the opportunity to DP a feature film at the age and stage that I am currently in, is a dream come true on its own. But even that comes with it’s challenges as my collaborators know all too well. But when you love what you do so much, you begin to feel lucky and grateful for the challenges. You begin to enjoy solving them. And you welcome them as they come.

I’d say the 3 things I have learned most critically in my field and the 3 things I hope to hold onto forever are:

1. Story and emotion first.

2. The theme park is always open for business. So dont get off before the ride gets good, and dont get off just because you think it’s over. It never is.

3. Love the process, or learn to.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ill make this as simple as possible:

In n Out Burger, and The Academy Museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When you start out in the business of filmmaking, due to the nature of the industry, support and people in your corner is absolutely critical. Not only for your mental health is it critical, but in order to find longevity and consistency in your work, and collaborators, you just need people who believe in you and love you.

The first group of people I have to thank would be everyone apart of our recently started Production Company, 413 Productions, whom I work with the most frequently. My dearest friends and collaborators Marco, Sam and Alessia, who I met in Film School and we’ve been working together on almost everything ever since. I love them and they love me. And they have supported me through a lot of projects, tough decisions, tough times and good times. God knows it can be just as hard running down hill as it is up.

Next I want to thank a friend, a collaborator, a mentor and ex-professor at USC. Tim Kirkman who is known for his work writing and directing, LAZYEYE (2016), Loggerheads (2005), and Dear Jesse (1998) to name a few. Last year, he began development on his latest feature film “12-21” a story inspired by his experiences growing up a gay man in Raleigh, NC in the 80’s navigating the AID’s epidemic. When we sat down last year in November, he had offered me the opportunity to shoot the project, and since then our collaboration blossomed into a beautiful and intimate relationship. He has taught me so much about the craft and myself. I thank him for taking a leap of faith with me and believing in me.

Besides my other friends (you know who you are), I’d like to lastly thank my parents who have supported me in my artistic efforts since day 1. From buying me my first camera to sending me to my dream film school, USC, they have never put a foot in between me and my passion. They continue to support and guide me and I love them for it.

Website: www.josephwisedp.com

Instagram: @josephwisedp

Image Credits
Image Credits: Taja Felisa,