Exclusive Interview with Peter Levy, ASC: Advice for Students

How did you get your start in filmmaking? Did you go to film school?

Peter Levy, ASC: I dropped out of high school at 17, and I tried to make a buck out of being a photographer. By the time I was 19, I did the stills on an independent film in Australia. I saw the cinematographer working, and I was like, that’s it, I want to do that, there’s no question. And for that, I’m very fortunate and very grateful, because at 19, there was no doubt in my mind what I wanted to do.

I became a documentary assistant working my way through the documentary world. I started shooting after about 6 to 7 years, which, in those days, was considered a bit audacious. You were expected to work your way up through the camera department for 10 or 12 years before you actually became a DP.  But, in Australia, I was able to shoot music videos, commercials, and independent films. It was a long time after I was shooting that I called myself a Cinematographer. I believe that when you’re a Cinematographer, it means you’re a master of your craft. In those days, I called myself a Cameraman. And it was a lot of years later— I was probably shooting for 8 years before I could look a cinematographer in the eye and say, yes, I am one too.

What advice would you give to students of cinematography and new graduates wanting to break into the industry?

Peter Levy, ASC: It’s a question with no answer. We’ve all gotten into the business by some different way or another, and no two ways are the same. In the end, the only real thing you can do is be a nice person who consistently does good work. After that, it becomes a crapshoot. Those two things you can control but the rest, I’m afraid, can just be dumb luck. Or, in many cases, bad luck. I really don’t know. In the old days, you would go to the rental houses, and you’d find if a crew was prepping, you’d go and help them for free and just observe and talk and offer services for free. Enthusiasm and commitment are essential.