We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hezekiah Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hezekiah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I actually started out just buying a drone, not knowing I’d need a license to use it for payed work. Once I got that, I started learning from of a combination of YouTube and an older editor I knew. I’ve put in hundreds of hours of online instruction from YouTube to other film classes I’ve found.
The technical workings of a camera & the tools associated with the craft were essential, but the most important skills I learned were how to find & branch out to different clients. Some of the earliest advice I received was not to limit myself to any one subject or style of project.
One obstacle was managing my time with work before cinematography became my main source of income. Also justify the time I’d spend studying before it was paying off for me. To my employers, my family, my significant other, it wasn’t very convincing to them at the time.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I run a cinematography company and studio in Fayetteville North Carolina. Our company is still small but we consist of four team members situated between DC where we’re based and NC. We capture all kinds of subjects and events in whatever location we’re asked from real estate and weddings, music videos and podcasts, to sports and outdoor activities. We’re here to bring every client’s vision into the frame and into the screen.
I’m most proud of the growth that we’ve experienced in the last two years. From scaling up to larger projects and traveling more, to being able to open our first studio, I’m really proud of our team as a whole.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Of all the resources That be been through there are two that I constantly recommend. I didn’t come across them for a few years, but they’re the most comprehensive tool for a beginner that I can find. Both Studio Binder & Filmmaker IQ have been resources I go back to at times.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The best part about being an artist is the appreciation of a delighted client. I wish a lot of the moments I had before I started filming were caught on camera, and I really enjoy making sure other people don’t have to worry about that. I love hearing a client tell me that they still watch a product of mine years down the line.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scproductions.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: @yungblackrico_