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

Justin, 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?

Up to this point the most meaningful or impactful project I have worked on is the biopic feature film, Al Ittihad. It is a feature film I was the cinematographer for in fall of 2022 and is having its world premiere in Jeddah on November 23rd. Beyond the overall scale and scope of the project being the largest I’ve ever tackled with writer/director Hamzah Tarzan, it was also the most challenging. However, the fact that it was so challenging is what made it such a creatively rewarding experience. The story has themes of Rocky in it and the making of it was no different. We were the underdogs every day having to fight for every frame we shot without having to compromise and in the end I believe we succeeded by all coming together to work towards a common goal of making a great film we can all be proud of. When finishing up the post process with Hamzah, we have such fond memories looking back on what was happening behind the scenes that day while we watch the film. If a spin off to The Offer was to every be made I think this production would definitely be a great successor.

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.

I am a professional cinematographer based of of Los Angeles for the past 10 years and have worked my way to almost exclusively shooting feature films. I have experience in all formats from commercial to short narrative, music video and documentaries. Beyond the creative aspects of my work I find so fulfilling, its been the amount of traveling and different people I have met along the way that has really shaped how I see the world today and who I am. Having earlier in my career spending a great deal of it working both a gaffer and editor, when I shoot I am very good at seeing the edit and how things will cut together in real time to avoid unnecessary mistakes and knowing how to light almost any scene in the most efficient and creative way that tells the story through the images.

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

My ultimate goal has never changed since I first began this journey which is to make not just one, but several films that have a lasting impact and would be considered timeless. Not too high of a bench mark, right?

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients is the tale as old as time; word of mouth. Doing your job to the best of your abilities, being an effective leader, team player, and giving everyone the same respect you hope they would give you regardless of position seems to have been the best source of new clients for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justinknodel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin_knodeldop/