Coffee with...Gabriel Jung

Director of Photography, Gabriel Jung

"Coffee With..." is a blog brought to you by The Forge. Every month, we sit down for a coffee chat with industry professionals who are doing cool things in the world of film. Whether they're behind the camera or in front of it, these individuals bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and inspiring stories from the heart of the entertainment industry. 

Today, we sit down for coffee with Director of Photography, Gabriel Jung.

What is your morning drink of choice? Matcha? Tea in your favorite mug? Iced Coffee? Smoothie with kale? Do tell!

Caramel Macchiatto.

Is there a specific film, or moment in film history that you feel especially connected to? What inspired you to pursue a career in film?

The golden era of theatrical release: 1990 - 2012. E.I.: "Fight Club" , "There will be Blood" , "No Country for Old Men", "Se7en" , "Inglorious Bastards", "The Master", "Jurassic Park", amongst countless others. My biggest inspiration stems from my own bloodline, my father. Since my birth I've been surrounded by photography and it's devices. As far as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by the art and science of mechanical image reproduction.

What is a resource you wish you had when you first started out in this industry?

I've been blessed and privileged to have early access to education and infrastructure regarding film and the arts, not only due to my father's profession, but also due to the advent of digital imaging technology, which allowed a general democratization of filmmaking. However, I wish I had more opportunities to work on film, meaning analog celluloid based film, which in it's nature provides a disciplined, relatively challenging experience that forces the filmmaker to think, plan and shoot resourcefully, using both artistic inclination, and technical knowledge to create a comprehensive, and expressive film. This practice can be imperative to great filmmakers, not because of it's aesthetics, but due to the discipline and foresight that celluloid requires. Thus building a crucial mindset for filmmaking, digital or analog.

You are such a big part of Demo Camp. What is something you enjoy about that day on set with the actors?

The actor is what brings life to any narrative, movement to any location, and emotion to any scene, and therefore, the actor is a indispensable part of filmmaking. It's incredible when an actor has a "photographic" inclination: having a basic understanding of camera, lighting and blocking allows the actor to identify and utilize cinematography to augment their performance. One of my favorite things to do is to give the actor some amount of control over the scene; using large moves or minor facial expressions in relation to different lenses, and distances, a step in the correct direction, a look, a beat, are things the actor can do to make a shot transcend into an emotion or a though, instead of just moving images.

Want to learn more about Gabe? Check out his website above.

What is your social media? Where can people follow along on your journey?

@g.j.photon

We want to hear from you, too

Do you have a burning question or a topic you'd love us to cover in an upcoming interview? Leave a comment below, and we’ll take your ideas into consideration for the next Coffee With... chat. Who knows? You might just get to ask the question next!