We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Justin Dombrowski. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Justin below.

Justin, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

Food and beverage tabletop commercials have been pushing the envelope for decades when it comes to innovation and techniques used to captured mouth-watering, jaw dropping imagery. Some of the most widely used tools when it comes to tabletop commercial production is high speed cameras, motion control robots, probe/ macro lenses and precision special effects. Each year new hardware and software comes out to enhance what we have done and paves the way to what lies ahead. The latest trend when it comes to our toolkit is the rise in virtual production. Green screens have been replaced with LED walls to project backgrounds to not only save steps in compositing during post production, but it also helps with realistic reflections and light interaction to help real-life foreground objects blend better with artificial backdrops. The technology has been popularized by live-action narrative works such as The Mandalorian & The Batman and has made its way into commercial advertising, transporting products into places more efficiently. Though, with most trends, it takes some education to have clients shift from the comforts of how they have done things in the past as well as soaring costs when it comes to this new technology. For some people, its easier to fly to Italy for that tuscan landscape then to fake it halfway across the world. Hopefully with the rise in popularity and hardware costs going down, this tool can be used along with the other specialty equipment we use to make these spots stand out from the pack.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Since my childhood, I have been captivated by the process of filmmaking, immersing myself in the “making of” in the special features on DVDs. It was during those moments that I discovered the profound artistic expression and storytelling possibilities that filmmaking offered.

From a young age, I would gather with my friends, armed with a camera and boundless imagination, to bring our visions to life. These lighthearted and playful endeavors ignited an undeniable passion within me—a love for capturing moments on film and weaving narratives.

As I delved deeper into my passion, I sought formal education in filmmaking, attending an art school where I immersed myself in theories and techniques. However, I soon realized that the true essence of my education lay in the hands-on experience of working on real sets alongside talented professionals who shared my passion.

During this transformative period in my life, I found myself embraced by a community of like-minded creatives, where we supported and inspired each other along our individual paths. Through collaborative projects and shared experiences, we honed our skills and developed our artistic voices.

Starting off my career as a camera assistant, I had the privilege of learning from renowned cinematographers, refining my ability to capture visually compelling moments. This also exposed me to professional camera systems and all the technicality behind what makes a beautiful image.

During this time as an AC, I got more into post-production as an editor & VFX artist. The knowledge I got from working with endless hours of footage brings a unique perspective to my cinematography. This understanding of post-production workflows allows me to efficiently structure shots and seamlessly integrate visual effects, ensuring a streamlined process.

After having built my network and sharpened my technical ability, it was time for me to get back to expressing my creativity. I began shooting and directing music videos, I developed a nimble and adaptable shooting style, honing my ability to think on my feet and overcome challenges through my experiences. That led into directing high-level concepts for global artists, showcasing my talent for executing intricate and visually captivating narratives.

Driven by a desire to enhance my craft, I embarked on a journey to explore cutting-edge technology that could elevate my work. I immersed myself in the world of high-speed filmmaking, mastering the intricacies of using phantom cameras and delving into motion control operating and techniques. This specialty brought me on to multi-million dollar blockbuster productions where I got to see professionals work at the highest level. These skills added a new dimension to my storytelling, allowing me to capture mesmerizing visuals with precise control and fluidity.

As I transitioned to directing and shooting high-end commercials, I continued to expand my versatility and proficiency across various styles and genres, earning a reputation as a sought-after talent within the industry with a focus on food and beverage products.

Armed with this advanced knowledge, I have been able to create captivating imagery that pushes the boundaries of what is visually possible. The integration of high-speed filming and motion control techniques has become a hallmark of my work, enhancing the narrative and immersing audiences in a truly immersive experience.

The recognition and impact of my work have been truly humbling. I am honored to have earned widespread recognition and prestigious awards for my contributions to the world of filmmaking. With billions of views and a global audience, my projects have resonated with viewers on a profound level, transcending boundaries and captivating audiences across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Looking forward, I am excited to continue pushing the limits of technology and storytelling. By combining my technical expertise with my passion for cinematography and storytelling, I am committed to creating groundbreaking content that captivates and inspires audiences. Guided by a constant pursuit of excellence and a hunger for innovation, I strive to leave a lasting impact on the world of filmmaking through my unique blend of creativity, technical proficiency, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to express myself and my passions through this medium with little to no restrictions. Even though I have a lot of technical ability, it’s the creativity that breathes life into my work. Often times you may know how to execute something based on your knowledge and training but being able to solve problems creatively uses another part of your brain and when you accomplish something in that way its very gratifying. My job wouldn’t be as exciting if I wasn’t able to blend to two sides of my brain. I feel like some positions in the industry can be stale or boring, so I am constantly trying to spice things up as a creative.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The biggest component for client growth and retention is consistency. It is always an “audition” whenever you work with a client for the first time, they may be familiar with your work already or you might have been referred by a mutual acquaintance but that doesn’t mean that they can expect how well you will work with them. By always staying consistent when it comes to your work ethic, discipline, professionalism you can go a long way in client relationships. It should be mentioned that it is equally as important to actually complete the project and doing so to your best ability, otherwise they won’t call you back the next time.     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justin-dombrowski.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justindombrowski/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dombrowski
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4724716/

Image Credits
Justin Dombrowski, Johnny Utah Hoff