Day In The Life of a Commercial Cinematographer

On Set with me for the day (part 1) of shooting a big-budget commercial as a Cinematographer. Commercial shot for Metro DC.
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Directed by Lee Morton
BTS: Josh Heinrich: / josh.heinrich
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[@wasislos]

Your backstage cameraman did a fantastic job of capturing all those crucial and important moments of how the shooting is done. Cheers to him and to you!

[@renemullersongs]

That's easily the best behind the scenes of a commercial I have ever watched! Please make more of this.

[@carlostigs]

I appreciate that

[@vtnbkt1339]

@@carlostigs subscribed ⚡️

[@two4mediapng]

Agree

[@mmsa9911]

agree we need more

[@SukiSiahUh777]

Agreed, I subscribed after watching this one.

[@xavpil2]

You: 13k followers. Peter McKinon 2M. You: actual working pro. McKinon (and others): pro “talking heads” going out once in a while to play with new toys. Awesome video!!

[@MichaelSteighner]

LOVED this BTS look into the project. Like a masterclass if you pay attention. Hats off to the BTS crew too. Captured some great moments. Totally agree with the wrap up comments at the end. Sometimes it's hard to remain cool and communicate effectively on long production days, but goes a long way with the crew if you can master it. Looking forward to part 2!

[@carlostigs]

Thank you!

[@LukasHauf]

100% agree. Keeping a cool head and clear communication is key.

[@MichalOlender]

It was awesome to see the BTS on this one!

[@christiancocuzzo]

I've never seen such a raw BTS this is amazing!

[@gabethompson9538]

Bro, your channel has blown up since I’ve last checked it out. Congrats on the success man! Also you kinda look like Patrick Mahomes

[@ekphotography]

You are killing it man and you deserve it... Congrats.

[@LukasHauf]

Loved the BTS. Watching this felt like a super nice and professional working day. Absolut enjoyed it.

[@focusmedia2465]

Yo let’s go for Day 2!!! 🙌 Day 1 was insanely helpful to see. Thank you for helping lift up your community! We appreciate you!!

[@WillJBailey]

Fascinating - thank you.

[@rprbeck]

Great insight! Honestly would love to see the finished commercial at the end of these bts looks :)

[@JustLamarCarter]

I watched this on my plane ride back west yesterday like, damn! Gian does the same thing I do hahaha! Thank you for this. I'm def hiring BTS for every shoot now.

[@coreybond7356]

Great video, exactly what I've been searching for. Very insightful!

[@ryanpenny8272]

Loved this and subscribed for more! I do wish though that the bts footage had some color / contrast added in just so I can better see how you shape the light for the final scenes.

[@dlnews27]

I just saw this commercial on TV last night!! This is so dope to see the process and thought behind how you all made the beautiful shots!

[@carlostigs]

Wait really? It’s out already hahah

[@dlnews27]

@@carlostigs haha swear, literally 18 hours ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWKtfnmVqbtkhJY

[@Sophie-if5oc]

really want to see the end result! where can I find it?!

[@FivosVas]

Oh man, this was very enjoyable to watch.. It looks as raw as it can get.. Thank you for posting

[@carlostigs]

Thanks!

[@bephrem]

These thumbnails go hard

[@Linda-yh4qo]

GOGOGOGO~ Very cool~Buy it~

[@bbrunorocha]

This is awesome !! I've started doing some bigger commercial sets this year and i can relate with everything that you said ! Communication is key !!

[@WoolyJumper5]

Awesome man. Really appreciated the low key, practical info.. peace out.

[@glowedupglen]

I really enjoyed this video🥹🥹

[@shawwn.mp4]

Bro, I loved this video. I’ve been so curious about commercial work as I work my way there. It provided so much insight I felt like I was there 😂

[@JordanPulmano]

Great video man! How do you like that Panther S-type? I’ve been trying to get this on a shoot to test out for a minute!

[@vladbobe26]

Great BTS, much appreciated!

[@jannisnewiadomsky]

how did you get this job ? what was you carrer path so far ? this would be very interessting !

[@carlostigs]

Through hard work and relationships

[@juanmontes7878]

This is dope! Would be really cool to see the final commercial

[@carlostigs]

Stay tuned for this monday! Day 2 + Some clips from the commercial!

[@rodrigovillanuevasuazo6521]

Amazing video, thanks Gian Carlo !

[@ScottBell]

Super interesting to watch. Nice job man!

[@naterinehart2142]

This was fantastic to watch! Thanks for sharing, hope to maybe get the chance to work on your team one day!

[@vindecaro]

amazing bts 🤝

[@kolecava]

Carlo bringing out the goods 🤟these are the ones 👌

[@carlostigs]

Thanks!

[@romain_do]

fiiiirrreeeeeee thanks for sharing

[@AryanTalla]

I really enjoyed this, I’m actually going to be the Camera OP on the final project for a film class. I also happen to get to use the URSA 4.6k on it!

[@carlostigs]

Amazing!

[@tomaszbejnarowicz]

can we see the final video?

[@SoundSpeeding]

You forgot to feature sound in the BTS! We're always forgotten.... 😞

[@carlostigs]

There really wasn’t much sound most was MOS

[@joalmeria891]

Quick question, how did you remove the reflection from the glass in the front door? It could possibly be the fact that there isn't that much exterior lighting but I still feel like you would see more reflection.

[@carlostigs]

We had that issue, we opted to have them shut the door quickly plus leave it cracked at a certain angle to avoid my lights

[@joalmeria891]

@@carlostigs Ah gotcha. Thank you! I appreciate the speedy response!

[@grind.production3843]

and where can we find final result ? :)

[@Konstanurkkala]

KZbin got some great recommendations. I have been thinking of getting into commercial filmmaking. Do you think I can get clients when Im doing all alone. I just cant get a crew right away. How should I approach this career?

[@FOTOLOCO_]

Are the shots graded in the intro or is it log?

[@adambobroy7682]

yesssssssir

[@oukserei]

This was so great to watch thanks! Loved the vibe on set wow!! I still have a question, will you be able to talk about the dp and colorist relationship? I found this one tricky and don’t know really how I should approach the colorist everytime.. Again, thank you Carlo :)

[@carlostigs]

It depends alot on the type of project. Some instances I have no say in coloring but others I have more control. Once you understand that dynamic you can better communicate your thoughts.

[@williampeeler8177]

Awesome Video! Loved seeing your style and how you work with people. That being said, how do I work for you?

[@TexoorTexcel]

Very great !

[@alejandrooliva8371]

In terms of lightin units i seen you got 2 astera kits but what where those with the balloon difusión ? Dope video !

[@carlostigs]

I talk more lighting gear in EP02 Stay tuned for this monday! Day 2 + Some clips from the commercial!

[@tarquin8270]

Why is this footage dark and grey?

[@elijahsakiya]

Could Josh confirm if this is non-conformed log footage BTS / post-mastering omission?

[@carlostigs]

It is log. I forgot to grade :/

[@prottentogo]

TheBlackAndBlue yooo 😀

[@zanderwilll]

What did you have for lunch??? Don't leave us in suspense

[@carlostigs]

I think a grilled chicken sandwich

[@JohnLuna]

I noticed the Panther wasn't on a track. is that a benefit of using that specific dolly or did you get it for another reason?

[@carlostigs]

So we didn’t end up getting track but used speed rail as track when needed but it can work without track. Also don’t reccomend this dolly we went with a Fischer afterwards

[@JohnLuna]

@@carlostigs ah got you. I appreciate it

[@OMGitsJOSEPHsSHOW]

You didn’t wanna throw any lut on this video?

[@carlostigs]

Forgot :)

[@TLFILMS]

super cool day in the life, but miss a LUT or something

[@TABALEEZMO]

Whats your cameras

[@ShotBySoutoo]

My Dream Job

[@tharuntt8261]

wow😲

[@carlostigs]

:)

[@LandofJapan]

dude, you look buff

[@leftclot]

this is sooo insightful. Shoutout Josh Heinrich, he did a great job!! Thanks for hiring him!!

[@carlostigs]

Thank you! He’s awesome

[@JoshHeinrich]

Ayy! Thank you!

[@Jared10112]

Love the BTS! You hear from a lot of people “If you want experience just get on set” This is truly an inside look on alot of the experiences on set. Love it!

[@carlostigs]

Thank you

[@antonbrask4574]

Realest behind the scenes ive seen on youtube, this is really seeing how it is actually done. So fun to see, and this crew seemed so proffesional. We want more!

[@Thomas278F]

It's really refreshing to see how well you work with everyone, considering it's commercial work as well time-constraints can be a killer so it was great to see you keep composure and professionality throughout

[@HermannOberg]

LOVE BTS where you actually show decision making between departments! Super usefull. Keep griding Stigliano!!

[@carlostigs]

Thanks!

[@joshmillerdp]

This is dope dude. I work as a DP as well and it's WAY more then just making things look good. Just the ability to manage a crew makes it a whole different ball game.

[@paulloth]

BTS Footage still in LOG??

[@FlyPavilion]

Was tempted to save the video and throw a REC709 lut on it to make it easier to watch 😂😂 felt like I was watching dailies!

[@carlostigs]

Yeah my bad forgot about that

[@FlyPavilion]

@@carlostigs All good, watching for the insight more than the colours! Very interesting video to watch. I still work in smaller production teams of 3-5 with everyone working multiple roles, very much looking forward to the day when I get up to this level!

[@palojujaisrirampssppp590]

🙏🌹🇮🇳 PSSPPP 🇮🇳 PALOJU JAI SRIRAM 🇮🇳🌹🙏

[@goldencenturyfilms]

Super informative and an awesome way in to see what this kind of production consists of. Gotta say I also appreciate seeing more of your personality and the way you interact with your colleagues on set. Letting us get to know and see you more is a big win of this video that may not have been planned! Thanks for sharing

[@carlostigs]

I appreciate that!

[@lukakrstovic_]

Really interesting to see the difference when I film a commercial here in the Netherlands it goes totally different in terms of roles and schedule because they always expect to film longer than originally planned.

[@Andyax]

This was a fantastic idea for a BTS video; To just let the audience be there with you. It got me super motivated for our next project :) So thank you!

[@carlostigs]

Thanks guys! Big fan of your work. Appreciate the love

[@stevepanagio605]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWKtfnmVqbtkhJY For those who wanna see the final video 🙌

[@carlostigs]

Thanks for sharing

[@JamesWilliams-in3py]

Love the video But what’s the point of shooting in log if you can’t even slap a r709 lut on top to make the colors somewhat normal. Takes 10 second to do. Videos look so amateur without the colors

[@carlostigs]

Forgot :/

[@rafilonking987]

4:54, someone know why shutter is setting on 180 instead of 50? cause they are filming in 24 fps, i said it cause the motion blur. (im newbie)

[@carlostigs]

180 degrees not shutter speed. So 1/48 or 1/50 is the equivalent to 180 degrees

[@lucabortolami]

my dream is working on sets like this! I shot my first mid budget shot film as a Cinematographer last week and it was incredible.

[@avdcam]

Holy shit, the OG Black & Blue Evan Luzi. Amazing to see you on set, still grinding.

[@FILMSCHOOLCINEMATOGRAPHY]

god how useful this video is!!! thanks man, i watched whole video and i found that I knew about camera. please make more useful contents like this about alphabetic expressions of photography and Video camera. thanks a lot, subscribed

[@harishpadalia4090]

Great Stuff

[@tiedtkeio]

Superb video Gian! Loved it. Also, as a DoP myself the line at around 19:40 "We're a little later than hoped" is so relatable, every god damn project hahaha.

[@afrosamtv]

Hello I'm from Africa I shot a BTS few hours ago but I see alot of difference

[@jabitomovies5776]

I love this when will i be like you I want to grow in this business

[@skanecarlos]

Which is the name of the song of the 12:50?? I love it, and an amazing bts video, my like!

[@ManuelNibalePH]

Ok, really informative, always nice to see the "real" backstage, with concerning about timing, and lights, and extras, and catering ecc... But why keep all the video in log! It's hurting me, com'one, it's one click away! :/

[@NeonCucumber]

Hi I wanted to ask on this... I noticed there is a lot of figuring out the scene on set... so is that just because it's a commercial? No precise script and shot list on commercials? Like the creative happens on set and not as much during pre production?

[@ImTweeZy]

great video but i wish you aplied a rec709 on the bts footage

[@bamfamfilms]

Stellar video! I was wondering: how do you source equpiment? For a shoot like this are you bringing your own?

[@carlostigs]

Great question. For bigger shoots like this I work with my Gaffer to source G/E gear from local rental houses. I also write a list of all camera gear needed for the shoot from a local rental house. Depending on the size of the project, I will bring my own gear and sometimes I only bring my monitor.

[@henrymwakajumba]

Hey Man great Content, quick question I saw on monitor the WB at the airport was 4300K and at Home location was 5000 even thought is wa evening, Can you share why? WB always drive me crazy 😅

[@carlostigs]

Good question. Based on the interior lighting at the airport they were slightly warm overheads so setting my camera to 5600k would have made the image a little too warm, 4300k allowed me to be a bit more neutral. And for the home 5000k was a compromise between warmer night and a cool blue, but we opted to go more towards warm for the tone of the commercial

[@henrymwakajumba]

@@carlostigs Thanks Man! Great answer. 🙏🏾

[@unclejerry486]

awesome, RAW but not-so-RAW experience, I am the guy with the cap on definitely LOL (one day I hope)

[@ManlyHK1]

why is the picture so soft and washed out? Which airport would allow you to film in the baggage claim area? And why are you not showing the finished video?

[@azizulzulzaha]

So much equiptmnts, how do you handle rain?

[@thehenryshow]

Love the long takes. It feels like being there. Hearing the feedback and conversations behind the scenes is a great way to learn.

[@santianayala7321]

I can’t figure out how a short commercial can take an entire day compared to shooting an entire show.

[@polastories]

So valuable content. I see your name/surname sounds very italian. Cheers from Florence Italy!

[@HardcoreMotors]

Any specific reason for the 180 shutter?

[@YoungBlaze]

Hey, awesome , wheres the final video?

[@carlostigs]

Stay tuned for this monday! Day 2 + Some clips from the commercial!

[@ankelalfaro5168]

Awsome job.I would like to see the final commercial, greetings from Perú.

[@jonahwalker4425]

This is awesome. The atmosphere, the reality, the questions... all super great. I'm just starting out, have been a one, sometimes two person crew progressing to bigger things and this is incredibly helpful on how to handle that. Thank you! More please :)

[@JRODVISUALS]

Seriously so interesting to watch. It has to be a bit difficult to find a BTS shooter and to incorporate him on a shoot day, when you are already making so many decisions. Thank you Carlo, appreciate your insight into our industry!

[@pedrogallardo]

Discovered your channel with this video. GREAT value. Would be amazing if you also could talk about business, how to get clients, portfolio, ... Thanks bro.

[@carlostigs]

Check out some of my older videos, I talk some about all this. I will also make some updated ones soon!

[@TapijtReiniger]

Nice BTS but why do I get the feeling like this whole video is ungraded Log-c footage?

[@heyheyhey520]

Director seems really great. Just in this video I can seem them interacting with all levels of the production and clearly communicating. I’m too much of a gear head to want to do all that social work!

[@Richard_GIS]

Nice insight, maybe i am the only one, but the color grading here on yt look washed out, kinda log ish

[@JoshHeinrich]

Thanks for the shoutout! I had such a great time! Thanks for having me.

[@carlostigs]

:)

[@kyawlinnoo]

Love the BTS! Please make more of it.