We were lucky to catch up with Gabrielle Desroches recently and have shared our conversation below.
Gabrielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
I hope to inspire marginalized people to pursue their dreams. I’m creating my path in the film industry as a non-binary cinematographer, which is currently by far dominated by cis-het men. I want to encourage others to not let the status quo determine whether or not you belong in the arena you want to play in.
That aside, I tell stories for a living. I want to create mainstream media that has valuable representation for future generations. Feeling alone in one’s struggles is such an ironically common experience, and I hope to bridge that gap in the stories I choose to bring to life and tell, whether that be in hardship, marginalized representation, heartbreak, or whatever human experience can bring a community together.
I want the stories I tell to allow others to fully embrace themselves and each other. I want my legacy to be that I was a trailblazing queer cinematographer and filmmaker who told stories that audiences remember.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! My name is Gabrielle Desroches and I am an award-winning non-binary Cinematographer and AC. I primarily work as a DoP/Cinematographer in the film industry, but I will take AC jobs to observe what other cinematographers may be doing and to learn from them that way. I also enjoy AC work as a whole, as it is a very involved position on set where there are a few opportune times to be able to make creative decisions when pulling focus, as well as being technically skilled with building and supporting motion picture cameras.
What sets me apart from anybody else is my raw passion and unique standpoint as a queer creator. Once I get invested in a project or story, I move mountains to get interesting shots and specific lighting looks to fit that story as a DoP. I value quality in everything I do. I’ve also been a creative individual my whole life, and have found visual storytelling to be an important part of how I express myself and fulfill my own purpose. My hobbies have always surrounded the creative arts such as dancing, extravagant SFX makeup, and photography. I think that this creative drive I have within me comes into play when I create shots, and helps me build frames that are pleasing to the eye from nothing but words on a page. I mention my unique perspectives as a queer filmmaker as well because it pushes me to tell stories with representation that may slip over cis, straight counterparts’ heads when writing my own projects.
An example of this is a project I am developing that I am very proud of called Violets are Blue. It was originally written as a short film, but I fell in love with the effect the story had on myself and other close colleagues so much so that I am turning this story into a feature-length film. The story brings humanity to queer youth in a way that I think could really resonate with the masses. It’s all still in very early development phases, but it is still a piece of work that I am very proud of and want to get out there.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is not only getting to see YOUR vision come to life, but to help bring OTHER’s visions to life. The meetings during pre-production when we’re developing shot-lists and I shoot an idea to them and I hear back the excited “YES! yes! and then we could.. ” as the fellow creative’s eyes light up and the ramble on with such a youthful energy as they let their own creativity flow. On set, the moment I see what I’ve envisioned right there on the camera monitor and feel the pride and joy beam through me. In post, when looking at the stills and finding that color grade that ties it all together and ramps up the production value, reflecting on the work my team and I have done. In the edit room, when the scene comes together and I share a glance with the director that is filled with so much gratitude and joy. THOSE are the moments I live for. Getting stills back and uploading them to my website is always super fun for me too, it allows me to look back and reflect on my progress project by project. However, the moments of success I share with whatever production and crew, that’s why I love this job.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think this goes for anyone in any industry, but battling doubt in this particular industry can make or break you. If you don’t first believe in yourself, no one else in this competitive and cut-throat film industry will. Doubt is tough to battle, especially because creating anything requires a certain amount of vulnerability, and as a creative, you have to jump over that hurdle in everything you do. Your career depends on it. I am a bit of a perfectionist, but at the end of the day, I have to create, and it would be a disservice to me and the world consuming my films and content to make perfectionistic tendencies prevent me from pursuing a vision. You were put on this Earth with the passions and dreams you have for a reason, so leave doubt behind and chase your dreams!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gabrielledesroch.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabi.camera/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553920191460
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-desroches-070a2a1aa/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8C6lYr2MU0-SMHO41U6qMg
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15180231/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Image Credits
Sharath Visions Phillip Nelson