We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christy Knudson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on would have to be from the summer of this year. I packed myself, my gaffer, and every single piece of equipment I could fit into my sedan and drove 14 hours out to Colorado to shoot my first indie feature film. It was a month-long journey that tested me creatively, physically, and emotionally; and it remains one of the most impactful experiences of my career so far.
Being trusted so early in my career to shoulder the visual and emotional responsibility of a full-length feature film, especially one with an indie budget, was both an honor and a challenge. We were working with a very small lighting and camera package for a heist film called The Day Players, Merlin Productions’ second feature film. With limited resources and a tight schedule, my gaffer and close friend, Ethan Dwelley, and I had to be incredibly intentional with every lighting setup. We pushed the gear we had to its absolute limits, and it forced me to think creatively and adaptively about how to shape and manipulate light to serve the story.
Every day presented new challenges, whether that be the unpredictable weather that is the entirety of Colorado, unconventional shooting locations, and long days that stretched into nights, but it also came with an immense sense of camaraderie. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by some of my closest friends and collaborators, and that made the experience even more meaningful. There’s something really special about being in the trenches together, under high pressure, and still managing to find joy and pride in the work.
By the end of the shoot, we had not only created something beautiful but had also strengthened the bonds between everyone involved. It reminded me exactly why I love this industry: the collaboration, the shared passion, and the feeling of watching something you’ve all poured yourselves into come alive on screen.
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 Christy Knudson, and I’m a Cinematographer, Camera Operator, and Assistant Camera based in Los Angeles. I grew up in Walnut Creek, California, and after spending time at City College in Santa Barbara, I decided to make the move to L.A. to fully commit to my career in film.
I’ve always been drawn to creative expression; photography, painting, textile work, anything that allowed me to build something from the ground up. But it wasn’t until I picked up a camera and started working on short films that everything clicked. Cinematography gave me a way to merge the visual and technical sides of my brain while collaborating with others who shared the same passion for storytelling.
Filmmaking, to me, is the perfect blend of artistry and community. It’s deeply technical, but at its heart, it’s about connection, between departments, between collaborators, and between the story and the audience. I love being a part of that flow, from pre-production conversations to seeing the final color pass.
I decided not to pursue a traditional four-year film program, choosing instead to jump straight into the industry. As of July 2025, it’s been about a year since I made that leap into working full-time, and it’s been the most transformative period of my life. There have been tough moments, but every challenge has made me more confident in my craft and more grateful for the people I get to create with.
What I’m most proud of is my dedication to every project, no matter its scale. Whether I’m shooting a one-day social media campaign or a feature-length narrative, I’m fully invested from pre-production through post. I’m a very hands-on cinematographer, maybe to a fault, but that involvement fuels my excitement and love for what I do. I believe my strength lies in my ability to merge technical precision with emotional storytelling, all while keeping collaboration at the heart of the process.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is entirely driven by my love for creation itself. I have one life, and I want to fill it with as much art, collaboration, and storytelling as possible. My guiding mantra is simple: Love what I do, love who I do it with, and share that love with the people in my life.
Filmmaking is such a unique craft, it’s both intensely personal and inherently communal. Every time I’m behind the camera, I’m reminded of why I chose this path. There’s an indescribable joy in capturing a moment, a performance, or a story beat that you know will resonate with someone. At the end of the day, I just genuinely love being behind the camera.
Any advice for managing a team?
One of the hardest parts of working in film is managing the physical and mental toll that long shoot days can take. Working 12-hour days, five or six days a week, can be brutal for any crew. As a Director of Photography, I’m always acutely aware of the energy and stamina it takes for my camera and lighting teams to keep up the pace.
I’m still learning the best ways to balance communication across multiple departments while staying focused on the creative vision, but what’s helped the most is gratitude and transparency. I make it a point to recognize and appreciate the work my team is doing, especially my gaffers and first ACs, who keep the camera department running smoothly when things get hectic.
One practical thing I love to do is share dailies and stills with the crew. Being able to see the results of our hard work from the day before always boosts morale. It reminds everyone why the long hours are worth it and that what we’re creating is real, tangible, and beautiful.
On larger narrative projects, I also make sure to keep my team in the loop post-wrap: updates on edits, color grading, screenings, and premieres. Getting to sit together in a theater, see our names in the credits, and watch what we built on a big screen is one of the most rewarding feelings there is. It’s the perfect reminder that all the effort, sweat, and late nights truly paid off.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Chriz7y.com
- Instagram: @Chriz7y
Image Credits
Wiley Yankopoulos, Pixie Guerrero