We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tyler Oaks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tyler, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

This is the biggest question, I feel like, when wanting to approach the idea of having a job in a creative field. I have had the privilege of being able to work full time in film since my senior year in college. When I first garnered interest in film during my junior year of high-school, I felt really overwhelmed. My first decision was to reach out to local colleges and production companies here in Nashville and ask them as many questions i could and gather as much info on how to start. I reached out to Lipscomb and Belmont for schools and Gearseven, a commercial/music video production company in town. In-between college and any internship, I took my DSLR GH4 and shot anything and everything I could in my free time. During this time, I discovered my passion for cinematography and the art of it all. I started film school at Lipscomb and an internship with Gearseven and that is when i felt like I was able to really start pushing myself with the resources needed. It wasn’t the film school that helped me, but the fact that I had access to a gear closet full of equipment and other students who also wanted to make things. Other than making projects with students, I poured all of my time into my internship with G7. That was the catalyst for the beginning of my career. It was where I met Josh Boyd, a local 1st AC, whom I learned and trained under which prepared me to start AC’ing and many DP’s such as Chris Adams, Nyk Allen, and Carson Nyquist whom all have become mentors in different capacities. From there I continued to meet more and more people from whom I learned from and gathered more and more experience on larger sets preparing me for the future. I also cold DM’ed a lot of people in hopes of connecting and it really did work. It was part of the reason I worked on my first Union tv show as a camera operator.

It’s hard to label specific moments as major catalysts or milestones, but it really has just been an on going effort of relentless hard work and commitment. I skipped class, didn’t spend much time with friends outside of film, and have sacrificed a lot in my relationships to be where I am at. You really do need to devote a lot of yourself in the beginning to be able to get to a place where you can have more of a balance, at least in my experience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Tyler Oaks, I am a Nashville based IATSE Local 600 Cinematographer specializing in commercials, narrative, and documentaries at the age of 24. I first entered the industry back in 2018 and joined the union in 2022 as a Cinematographer. I started out as a Production Assistant and moved toward 2nd AC and grip/swing as i honed in and learned from the most talented people here in town. Under camera and G&E is where i prepared myself for the transition to DP, making sure I understood the ins and outs of both departments so I could be the best leader for those teams once I started to DP. For the last year, I have really focused on narrative, commercial work, and music video as that is what i enjoy the most. I have filmed videos for artists such as Ashley McBride, Elle King, Thomas Rhett, Tenille Townes, Breland, Jake Owens, Patrick Droney, Ingrid Andress, and Our Last Night. In regards to commercial, I have filmed for brands such as ESPN, The NFL, Mitsubishi, BOSE, Angels Envy, and Security National Bank. I have filmed 5 features as of 2022 with plans to shoot at least two more in the coming year, as well as travel internationally for feature documentaries and series. I always try to approach every story with a unique perspective that suits the story rather than my own “looks”, while still always holding on to my identity as a DP so that I tell it from my perspective rather than forcing it from somewhere else. I have traveled all over the world for my work in places like Jordan, the Ecuadorian Amazon, Poland, Israel, France, and Patagonia. If I were to describe my work i would say it is emotional, gripping, and engaging. I believe that my love for what I do and my organic approach is what sets me apart. I continue to push myself as a cinematographer and look forward to all the stories I will help tell in the years to come. I am immensely proud of what I have achieved over the 5 years I have been in the industry.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being able to tell stories and give others stories a platform is so unbelievably rewarding. I have the privilege of connecting the mass public to individuals with powerful stories that can influence or motivate people. The idea that this work may influence, inspire, drive, or resonate with people in ways that they haven’t experienced before is something I don’t take lightly. I have always been moved by film in ways nothing else can, so to be able to do that for others is all I could ask for. I also am able to express myself and my emotions into my work and that itself is also such a freeing and liberating feeling.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

If I had a goal or mission, It would simply be to honor and respect every story and project I’m presented with and do it justice and give it the respect and hard work it deserves. As well as to continue to meet and connect with others in film and help create an ecosystem of support, equality, respect, SAFETY, and community.

Contact Info:

• Website: tyleroaks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyleroaks/
• Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/753915231