As part of our efforts to give you a glimpse into our story and characters before they finally make it into the final film, we’re conducting interviews with our cast and crew to get their insight into roles in this film and their careers in general. Now that filming has wrapped, we are into Post-Production and now have time to pester guys like our DP, Andrew Barrera.  One of the most common compliments I have gotten when showing off the trailer was “Wow, that looks like a real movie!”  That partially says what they think of us a producers.  But more so, it is a testament to the work of Andrew and his expertise shooting and lighting Cherry Bomb.  If you have any interest in how we “made it look like a real movie”, check out Andrews’ interview!  Below are the questions we asked him post-shoot and his responses:

1. How did you get into DPin/Camera work?

I don’t have an amazing story about when I was younger and had an epiphany or anything. I just always had an interest in photography. When I got into high school they had a tv program there where you would do the school announcements over the televisions in all the classes, and it all went from there. I received my degree from college in communications from St. Ed’s here in Austin where I dabbled in photography and film from a college level. I then flew out to Orlando for Disney College Program experience where I life-guarded at the parks and partied.

I had the opportunity to shadow a Producer from Extreme Makeover Home Edition when I was there and that is where I officially got started in the industry outside of school. I spent the next year or so working for a reality production company in Orlando where we produced shows like “Hogan Knows Best”, “True Life”, “Tiara Girls” “Fab Life Presents”, and a couple other MTV and VH1 shows. It was one of the best experiences I had. I took the time to learn the ropes, start from the bottom… learn the gear. By the time I left I was running camera and in the production side of it.

2. What camera was used to shoot Cherry Bomb and what factors went into making the decision to go with that camera?

I had little funding to get lighting and grip equipment. Which normally would be the biggest thing you spend and I already have the Panasonic HVX camera which was the first choice to go with. But I wanted to get less of a video look to something this important so I made the suggestion to use my M2 Lens Adapter to achieve shallow depth of field. Which unfortunately and if you know anything about these things, they are very problematic to small budget films. First being you need a lot more lighting equipment to achieve the look… and you need more people.

I had been on a few commercial shoots in recent months where we were filming on this new piece of equipment that achieved so much with little light. That’s where the Canon DSLR cameras came into play. For the cost of a small lighting package you can get a camera that does excellent in low light conditions and minimal lights and still achieve amazing shallow depth of field. Giving you that film look everyone wants.

We did a few tests at first and wasn’t exactly happy with the way things looked so we spent another day to get the proper equipment/ lighting and put a small 2 line script from the movie with Kyle acting, grabbed a friends 7D, and my HVX and shot the exact thing to compare the two. It was no contest… the 7D looked fantastic.

But there are countless drawbacks to that camera. One being that its not a film camera… it’s a still photography camera so the shallow depth of field made it a chore to have proper focusing all the time without an AC to help you. And due to the full CMoss Chip, it creates a sort of “Jelly” look to it when you move the camera around frantically. The camera overheats easily, and it required countless camera parts to get it to work like a real camera. But I decided to invest in it and got a minimal package to get this thing to work. And we used the HVX as a back up / multiple angle shots.

3. How did trying to achieve a 1980’s look affect the way you shot the film?

I didn’t do too much, for the most part because wardrobe and set design usually can get the viewer to believe its in the 80’s if it is done properly. However I based a lot of lighting with “Total Recall” and “The Goonies” Very contrast lighting. And because the 7D camera gives you a crisp and clear image David will be doing a lot of the “look” in post. i.e. adding film grain. I concentrated more on lighting properly with the small tools I had to give David the most amount of usable clean footage for him to play with and go crazy in after effects and color. Camera angles? Well that’s just having fun with a set.

4. Which shots/scenes from the film are you most excited to see in the final film?

That’s a tough one… unlike most people involved in the production, I already saw the whole film and every single shot and angle. I’m excited to see the finished product but if I had to pick just one that I am most proud of…ummm….well…. I can’t really pick just one.

5. Do you have a different approach shooting a music video versus shooting a narrative film?

Actually no… I try to separate myself with most music video directors, I’m not into that whole trippy stuff.. where you can put an abstract shot that doesn’t do anything but be visually appealing and create a 3 min montage of stuff that looks cool without accomplishing anything. Harsh way to put it I know.

I try to create a story, have it make sense, keep the audience engaged in more than just the song. Format it just like a film, with a script, story boards, and actors (depending on the song). People are naturally drawn to stories. The music enhances the“short film” and the “short film” enhances the music. Because of that, people remember it more.

6. You’ve directed a lot of videos for your brother, Granger Smith, and a lot of other artists. Did you ever want to pursue a career in music like your brother?

Not really, I started playing guitar before my brother but lost interest in it pretty quick. I’ve always loved music, don’t know a thing about making it but I love listening to it. So I guess making music videos for the guys is my way of contributing my love of music the best way I can.

7. What are some of your favorite movies and what are some movies you used as inspiration for the look/shots of Cherry Bomb?

Terminator, Total Recall… anything that Arnold is in are the basic movies to go by when creating “Cherry Bomb”. For me my favorite movies are the typical guy ones. “Big Lebowski” “Iron Man” “Nacho Libre” All the bond films, I have a general love for all films so my list can go on, but I love comedy.

8. DJ Morrison said your picture looked like a European Bikini model. Were you worried about being on set with him following that comment?

Not really. I was more worried about getting the movie done. But I’ll take good compliments when I can get them.

9. You’ve directed music video’s for several artists. Do you hope to move into directing feature films in the future or want to keep to the DP side of things?

I haven’t fully figured out where my career is headed. I do most work as a production manager, camera operator and producer. I will PA/ AC / Grip, any day of the week. I’m not a true DP and will never be nearly as experienced as some of the guys I work with in town… the big guys have 20+ years of experience strictly lighting. I don’t. I’m a camera guy at heart, and am pretty good at it… but I’m pretty good producing too…. Someone else decide for me.

10. What are some of your favorite past projects and some future projects? (Give links so we can properly promote your other works)

I have a few things lined up in the next month or so that I am extremely excited about. Looking to do 3 music videos by the end of the summer, all three are different genres that creatively will grab a lot of attention and I feel are my proudest “music video” work. But in the mean time I am currently in post production for Drew Kennedy’s “Room 27” music video. Should be out next month.

As from that, I can’t pinpoint one particular thing I have done that isn’t as important than the other. I am proud of all my work. Most can be seen on my vimeo page.. Although there is one in particular that was shot last year that I cannot wait for it to come out,. Stay tuned in the fall… And I have just received word that the most recent music video I directed is being packaged to GAC to be in their lineup of artists to be played. So I finally have my first nationally televised video up. Granger Smith “I Almost Am” Music Video.

Local DP for Hire:

Will work for food

Good with kids

Will do stunts if necessary

Enjoys every bit of his job and won’t take anything back.

www.mabarrera.com

956.459.9055