We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Murdo Barker-Mill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Murdo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned to do what I do through a process of consistent practice and collaboration. It all started with small projects with friends, which allowed me to experiment and refine my skills in a low-pressure environment. Each project taught me something new, and over time, these incremental lessons added up to a solid foundation in my craft.

My learning process was greatly accelerated by my time at Columbia’s MFA program. Being in an environment surrounded by talented peers and mentors was incredibly enriching. At Columbia, I was introduced to many friends who have since become close collaborators. These relationships have been invaluable, providing me with diverse perspectives and insights that have shaped my work in profound ways.

The most essential skill I learned at Columbia was a deep understanding of story. I came to realise that storytelling is the heart of filmmaking. Understanding what makes a story compelling, what elements contribute to its power, and how these elements can be conveyed through images are crucial skills. This knowledge has been fundamental to my development as a filmmaker.

Reflecting on my journey, I think I could have sped up my learning process by seeking out more mentorship opportunities earlier on and being more proactive in networking within the industry.

The most significant obstacle in my learning process was often self-doubt and the fear of failure. It took time to overcome these mental barriers and to trust in my creative instincts. Self-learning, particularly in the craft of cinematography, required patience and perseverance, as it involved a lot of trial and error. However, each challenge faced and mistake made was an opportunity to learn and grow.

In essence, my journey has been one of continuous learning and evolution, driven by passion, collaboration, and an unyielding dedication to mastering the art of storytelling through film.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I first started making films at a young age, without the slightest idea that there was such a thing as a director or cinematographer. Picking up a camera and telling a story felt like a natural instinct. My friend and I would anxiously submit our creations to local film festivals, occasionally making the program. These early experiences sparked a passion for storytelling and visual expression that has stayed with me ever since. However, in a twist that might surprise some, I decided to pursue a completely different career direction as I grew older. Coming from a creative family—both of my parents are artists—my decision to go to medical school was perhaps my way of rebelling and carving out my own unique path.

After completing medical school, I found myself drawn back to filmmaking. I began making small films again, initially as a hobby. These projects reignited my creative drive and made me realise that filmmaking was my true calling. This realisation led me to apply to Columbia University’s MFA program, where my professional ambitions truly took flight. My time at Columbia was transformative, providing me with invaluable knowledge, skills, and connections that have shaped my career in the film industry.

What sets me apart from others in the field is my unique blend of experiences. My background in medicine has instilled in me a disciplined, detail-oriented approach. It also exposed me to a large cross-section of society, which I believe has informed my approach to story. My creative upbringing has nurtured a deep appreciation for artistic expression, and this combination has allowed me to approach projects with a distinctive perspective, blending technical precision with creative flair.

I am most proud of my ability to connect with audiences through powerful, well-crafted stories. Whether it’s a short film, a documentary, or a commercial project, I strive to convey the essence of the human experience in a way that is both relatable and thought-provoking. My work explores the darker side of the human experience, often through the horror genre, yet often levied with a dark comedy; I believe that humour can be found in the most absurd and tragic places.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the profound privilege of translating a vision or deeper creative thought into something tangible that exists in the world. It’s incredibly fulfilling to start with an idea in my mind and see it realised, even if it evolves differently than I initially imagined.

These differences often come from collaborators, who bring their own talents and perspectives to the work, adding layers of depth that bring the final product to something greater than I could have envisioned. This is ultimately one of the greatest aspects of filmmaking, that it’s a creative art form that requires an immense amount of collaboration and teamwork to bring something to life that could not have been created by the hand of an individual.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think that it’s important that we, as a culture, are not afraid to expose ourselves to stories that might feel challenging or uncomfortable. Art has the power to provoke, to give rise to new and inspiring thoughts that may at a glance seem unsettling. Artists shouldn’t be afraid to express what they feel, without the possibility that they will face excessive judgement from a society that has infantilised its cultural diet. At present, I feel that we have returned to an era of cultural self-censorship, and I think that this is the most critical challenge that we as artists face going forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.murdobarkermill.com
• Instagram: murdobm