We recently connected with Carrie Stalk and have shared our conversation below.

Carrie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

Everyone says that it’s gauche to talk about money. But as a filmmaker, I have found that, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry, having an open dialogue about money couldn’t be more important.

I had a situation recently where I was being paid 30% less than my male counterpart (we were hired for the same job, at the same time, with the same qualifications/experience). By having an open conversation with this male counterpart about money and our rates on that job, I was able to talk to the Producer who adjusted my rate to equal his.

Without having a global understanding of the rates and market, it’s really tough to know how to valuate the worth of your skillset. If you don’t know what the people around you with equal experience are getting paid, you’re likely selling yourself short. So please, please, please, talk about money, and further, always ask for more. 9 times out of 10, the client saying they can’t afford to pay more won’t affect your ability to book the job.

Carrie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Carrie Stalk, I am a Cinematographer and Director based out of New York City with over a decade of experience within the film and media industry. My first foray into the film industry was by way of reality tv. I began my career as a Producer at House Hunters International on HGTV. While producing, I was lucky enough to work with my mentor on his pilots as a camera operator. It was a bit of a crash course considering most of my experience outside of film school was on the production side! All the while I was working on a few small budget projects with close collaborators to keep my creative juices flowing. Eventually, I transitioned from producing reality, to in-house director of photography for a digital brand, to freelance. Most recently I wrapped up a narrative feature film, “The Bears,” and two music videos, as well as a wide range of commercial projects. My portfolio, featuring A-List talent and collaborations with companies like Netflix, Amazon, Google, Timberland, Vogue, L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton, and many more, has collectively garnered over 100 million views through my work in episodic television and commercials.

Even though I am a freelance cinematographer now, the lessons I learned working in reality tv are those which I carry with me to every job. Working in reality tv means learning how to work in low-budget, under-resourced, and fast-paced environments. This made me a specialist in improvising and adapting to every situation. If I don’t have the ideal gear to get the job done the normal/proper way, my philosophy is that there is ALWAYS a solution, no matter how odd, to get an equal result. I have found that this scrappy working style has served to broaden my skill set and keep me top of mind for those who hire me.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The amount of experience I gained so quickly got to my head quite a bit as a young person. In the early years of my career, I struggled with controlling my ego and I learned the hard way that having a difficult attitude will destroy your network twice as fast as being pleasant to be around can fix it. Since then, my career has expanded in an exciting way— largely due to the breadth of my experience and through self-work, I am exponentially better at communicating my vision to the crew and schmoozing clients, and not for nothing, I’m a good hang!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of my work as a creative is undoubtedly the remarkable individuals I have the privilege to collaborate with. Their unwavering support, constructive critique, and shared passion drive me forward, especially during the most challenging moments. They serve as a wellspring of inspiration, motivating me even when faced with challenges or self-doubt. In the world of creativity, fostering symbiotic relationships is a rare and precious experience. We rely on each other to navigate the complexities of our craft, providing the support and encouragement needed to push the boundaries of what’s possible. These relationships are not just integral; they are the beating heart of what makes this creative journey so profoundly fulfilling.

Working collaboratively brings a deeper sense of fulfillment to our creative process. It amplifies the satisfaction of turning ideas into tangible projects and makes the end result even more rewarding when it’s shared. This shared sense of achievement is a unique privilege within our industry, as it’s a level of creative teamwork and fulfillment that few outside of it have the opportunity to experience.

But what elevates this journey from beginning to end is the unwavering support, respect, and camaraderie of my collaborators. It’s not just about the destination; it’s about the shared experience of the journey itself. We lean on each other for inspiration, motivation, and guidance, especially when the road gets tough. It’s a reminder that creativity thrives in a collaborative environment, where every idea has the potential to turn into something extraordinary. The sense of unity and shared purpose is what makes this journey so meaningful. In our world, it’s a team effort, and every victory is truly a team win.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carriestalk.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carriestalk/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/carriestalk/

Image Credits
Hailey Valdez, David Root, Matty Vogel, Ben Hartzell