“The only way to start getting involved in the film business is to start. You can’t climb the ladder without that first rung.”
— Allison Fitzgerald
The Interview Q&A
What role do you typically play on set?
“Director Of Photography // Cinematographer”
How long have you been working in the film industry? Where did you get your start?
“I started working in the film industry my junior year of high school, so around spring 2017. My friend is an active filmmaker and needed an extra set of hands-on set so she asked me to be her Director of Photography for her film. Being able to watch the creation of that film from beginning to end was surreal and I wanted to do it a million more times.
Who is your biggest inspiration? What have they taught you?
“If I had to chose someone in my life right now I’d probably go with my sister, Abby. She is a computer animation major and I’ve never seen someone work as hard as she does at what she loves. She found her passion in life and ran with it without fear. She also taught me how to manage my time in order to get your work done but still allowing time for myself.”
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
“I’ve always struggled with finding my exact source of inspiration with the arts. My main pursuit in the film industry is to pursue sound and music in film. For that I mainly draw inspiration by simply picking up my viola, and it kinda goes the same for cinematography. Just pick up the camera and see where it takes you.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? (No dream is too big!)
“In five years I want to be in a masters program at USC for film composition. As a music major at Berklee college of music right now, it’s the next step up to get my masters. I’m from Southern California and I can’t wait to get back.”
If you had one piece of advice for a woman who wants to get started in the film industry what it would be?
“The only way to start getting involved in the film business is to start. I know that sounds redundant but it doesn’t matter what you create you just have to begin somewhere. I captured my first film with no previous cinematography knowledge. I scored my first short film with no prior film scoring knowledge. You can’t climb the ladder without that first rung.”