We recently connected with Eythan Maidhof and have shared our conversation below.

Eythan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I’ve just recently raised 50K for a personal short narrative film that I also wrote and shot. It’s called “Class Clown” and it’s a coming of age film about a kid going to public school for the first time in seventh grade after being homeschooled their whole life set against the backdrop of the day Kurt Cobain died. It’s about learning to listen to your inner voice.

I wanted to work on a project that was deeply meaningful to me, tell my story as an artist, and make sure as I was writing it to approach it with a cinematographer’s eye. I think part of what makes a good cinematographer is being able to bring your lived experiences to your visual approach in a way no one else can. From this project I’ve learned so much about communicating a vision and the nature of the stories I like to tell. It was the most challenging project, emotionally, and professionally the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. I have no interest in directing, but I have the greatest respect for the responsibility of that role more than ever!

This project was very personal and I’ve had to relive a lot of childhood trauma, but somewhere in the middle of it all I found facing it in front of the lens to be the most healing aspect of art that I’ve ever felt.

Eythan , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a cinematographer. I grew up on Long Island, New York, and this is my sixth career! Before this I was a chef, tailor, telemarketer, colorist, and editor. The nonlinearity came about from just taking whatever opportunity that was in front of me with an open mind. In community college I was a writing major and my approach to cinematography has always been writerly. I try to break down a script scene by scene and speak the language of the director. I’m considering whose scene it is, the verbs for actions a character takes, and adjectives for their feelings. When I work I try to get into the deepest state of empathy of the characters and then try to find what visual techniques best convey the way they feel.

I really want to work on family centered films. Themes of awakenings, understanding, separation/reunion, forgiveness within the family unit are the reasons for some of my deepest connections to the films I love.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve had to learn how to be honest with myself and what I’m capable of. I used to want to fake it till you make it, but that can only get you so far and the confidence that goes along with it is hollow.

That unearned confidence did lead to some practical successes. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t bought one of the first generation Red Cameras # 747, before I knew anything about photography! It certainly led to me making a lot of speedy connections in the New York leg of my career.

But I’ve taken on some projects in the past where I didn’t know what I didn’t know, which led to a few difficult experiences on set where I made avoidable mistakes. That was why I went back to The American Film Institute: to find out where the rug is so it would never be pulled out from under me again.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m working on building my community with my contemporaries now. AFI was a great start; now as I take work I’m reaching out a lot more and circling back to directors, gaffers, and crew I met during my Grad school years. Los Angeles is now my new home and I’m building my chosen film family here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eythanmaidhof.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eythanmaidhof/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eythan.maidhof/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eythan-maidhof/
• Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/eythanmaidhof

Image Credits
Landon Gordon