Meet Frederic Thomas | Film Director | Cinematographer

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

Hi Frederic, why did you pursue a creative career?

Since I was a kid, creativity has been an integral part of my life. I habitually push the boundaries of conventional thinking, exploring an unknown realm where my creativity thrives. From my childhood to now, people have always recognized my unique “artistic eye”. At present, I am serving in the Air Force on active duty while simultaneously pursuing my passion for filmmaking and photography.

During my high school years, I always wanted to join the Yearbook Club. They would go around, capturing photos during school and various events, and I always wanted to be part of that. Unfortunately, my commitment to being a year-round student-athlete consumed most of my time, leaving little room for pursuing my passion. It wasn’t until after graduation that I truly immersed myself into photography and filmmaking. Before that, my creative outlets were diverse—I drew, painted, cooked, and occasionally produced music. Anything that allowed me to express myself in a creative way felt natural. Over time, I discovered that cinematography was the most authentic way for me to express myself.

In September 2017, I purchased my first camera, a Nikon D3300 with a kit lens. Yup, I was rocking with Team Potato in the beginning! I literally had no clue what I was doing, but despite having no prior knowledge, my desire to learn was undeterred. I acquired a wealth of knowledge from creators such as YCImaging, Creative Ryan, and Vuhlandes, supplemented by my own self-taught trials and errors. My routine involved working from 7am to 4pm, going home to learn something new on YouTube at home, and then practicing. The speed at which I learned surprised many, but they never saw the countless hours I invested day and night. All this occurred while I was stationed in Germany, so imagine a 19 year old in a foreign country for the first time missing out on parties, trips, and other events. That part of the process wasn’t fun, but I still made time to enjoy myself and travel to 20+ countries. I prioritized what mattered most to me and have no regrets about my decisions.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed brands like Aputure, Epidemic Sound, Audiio, Prop Movie Money, Cuts Clothing, and Loyal Origins. I value every opportunity and strive to be as prepared as possible to maximize success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I’m still relatively new to San Antonio, I would definitely recommend a visit to the Riverwalk. Despite being a large city, downtown San Antonio often has a quiet atmosphere. There’s literally so much to do in Texas, I just don’t know all the spots. Having spent a significant amount of time partying during my time in Europe, I now prefer more relaxed settings. I still go out and have fun, I’m just more on the chill side of things at this point in my life. Now if I’m planning a trip to go out of the country, that’s a whole different story! I am a big steak guy though! If I were to choose my top three Steakhouse’s in San Antonio, they would definitely be J Prime, Bohanan’s, and Chama Gaúcha.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Firstly, I express my gratitude to God for the gift of life each day! I extend my heartfelt thanks to my parents for their unwavering support towards my filmmaking dreams. I am also grateful to my friends in Germany and New Mexico who have contributed significantly to my growth and development. The list of people who have supported and aided me on my journey is so extensive that I could literally write an entire book. However, the depth of my appreciation is such that it doesn’t always need to be articulated. What’s understood never has to be explained. Remember that!

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