Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sam Goldman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sam, thanks for joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

In the film industry, camera department is still very male-dominated. On the majority of sets, I am usually the only woman represented on my team. Not only is there under representation, but even when you have gotten the job there are still those small few who will not believe in your abilities. Once I was on a job where I quite literally had the camera in my hands, and someone came up to me and asked how I liked being a production assistant. I politely corrected him that that was not my job title (no shade to PA’s, they are the backbone of the film industry!!) and I was camera, to which he scoffed and walked away. Another instance that was even more disheartening was a set I was on where the producer- who was also a woman- would not listen to anything I had to say unless the rest of my camera team- all men- would come stand in a line behind me while I spoke to her. The time hurt even more because as women we always should be lifting each other up, especially in an industry like this one. Although those were not the first and probably will not be the last experiences like that I have had, it reminds me how important it is that I’m doing what I’m doing. Breaking that glass ceiling is hard work, but I am so proud of myself for how far I have come, and will continue to go.

Sam, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, my name is Sam Goldman! I am a Los Angeles based 1st Assistant Camera and Camera Operator. The 1st Assistant Camera (or 1st AC) is a role on set that some may not be aware of, but if their work is done incorrectly movie goers would notice quickly! The 1st AC is practically the camera department head, in charge of building the camera, assisting the Director of Photography with all of their needs, and most importantly pulling focus. What is pulling focus, you might ask!? Well I would be delighted to tell you, just like I tell my family every holiday! Pulling focus is just as it sounds, I sit at my monitor and am responsible for keeping the camera lens in focus on the subject or action being filmed. But this is not the only job in camera department I do! In the past few years I have started professionally camera operating as well, which I adore. Being a 1st AC is a very technical job (which I love), but camera operating allows me to express my creativity which I am so appreciative of.

If you can believe it, I actually went to school for musical theatre in New York City! I came to Los Angeles with the anticipation of acting for film. I was tired of the actor/bartender grind and decided to start as a Production Assistant just so I could be in the realm of the world I wanted to be in. From my first day on set, I found myself dreamily gazing at the cameras. I knew right then and there that I unlocked something in myself I did not even know I had. But the universe knew I did! One job lead to others (as it goes in this industry) and finally I broke my way into camera department and never turned back. I still act, but am forever thankful that something I looked at as a “day job”, brought me to the passion that I have today. The fact that I love what I do is an absolute gift.

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

I love where I am at in my career, but a main goal is to be a Director of Photography. I DP small scale projects, but am also eagerly working and learning to get better at my craft and progress up to the next level. But my end all, be all goal is to live a life where I create authentic art that gives voices to the under represented!

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

I feel so lucky and thank the universe every day that I get to live the life that I do. There are many rewarding aspects of being a creative. I love that I have the privilege of choosing what I get to do. I love that I get to problem solve. I love the community being a creative has created for me. I love that I make my money by creating. But most of all, I love that I have a job that I adore so deeply and makes me feel whole.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @samgoldman1

Image Credits

N/A