Meet William Hellmuth | Cinematography. Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with William Hellmuth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi William, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As Captain Kirk once said to Captain Harriman: “risk is part of the game if you want to sit in that chair.” Everything worth having in life comes with risk. I quit a full time job with almost no money in the bank and a baby on the way to pursue my career in cinematography. And it’s paid off. Before, I used to wait until all of my ducks were in a row, hoping for the stars to align and everything to fall into place before I would make a career or personal leap. Since then, I’ve learned that often times, the leap is the first step, and it’s that first step that leads to opportunity and growth.
Even now, as an established DP and director, I take risks on almost every project I make. Some risks are small, and some are large. Sometimes it’s as simple as choosing to light an actor with harsher light than usual, or sometimes it’s a bolder choice like shooting a film entirely inside an enclosed space and never giving the audience an outside view. The thing is, I’ve learned that I have to take swings if I ever want to get anywhere in life. Make real choices. Burn the bridges. “The biggest risk, is not taking one” and all that cliche nonsense is actually pretty accurate and true.
My latest big risk is going all in to get my sci-fi feature film off the ground, shot and distributed. It’s a beautiful story, based off of my short film “ALONE” on DUST. It’s unconventional and risky, but exhilarating and accessible at the same time. It’s not your typical sci-fi indie film, but I can’t WAIT to get it made and out into the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I used to spend a lot of time, earlier in my career, trying to imitate the work of others. I’d see something cool on TV, a great movie, or a music video I loved, and try to shoot for that look. But I always felt like whatever I made never looked quite the same. For a long time, I felt like that meant there was something wrong with me and my work. But, eventually I realized I needed to put aside the desire to be like everyone else. I was never going to be anyone but me, so why try anything different? I started focusing on just creating material that I liked, without worrying how it stacked up against anyone else or if it fit current trends. The moment I started doing this, is when my work started to elevate in quality. My focus tends to be very story driven. I’m very inspired by deeper meaning, by feelings and core themes. So, more so than trying to “make pretty pictures,” I find I often try to communicate a simple idea or emotion with my cinematography. I want to say something with what I create.
None of this came easy though. I got into this industry fifteen years ago, and it’s been a long process of figuring out where my strengths are and playing to those.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love where I live. I’m right on the border of OC and LA. I’m right next to some incredible microbreweries, so I’d probably end up visiting a couple of those. Thinking of The Bruery, Phantom Ales, and Brewery X. But, more than that, I absolutely love to go on hikes. Mt San Jacinto and Mt Baldy are a couple favorite local hikes of mine. If my friend and I were feeling extra adventurous, maybe we’d head up to the Sierra Nevada and disappear over Kearsarge Pass for a few days.

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Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve learned and benefited so much from friends and colleagues in my life. My wife Kerri (a comedic and creative genius), my daughters. And of course all of the amazing crew members and actors I get to work with, who have all become friends: Mark Lopez, Hunter Rodgers, J Scott Worthington, Katie Carpenter, Jordan Paley, Julianna Ulrich, Gregory Kasunich, Wes Langdon, Jamie Costa… the list goes on. And I guarantee you there are at least three names I forgot to put on that list (if I forgot you, come find me and beat me up). This industry is filled with so many insightful, intelligent, incredible artists. And I’m honored that I’ve had a chance to talk shop with so many people and glean knowledge from them.

Website: www.williamhellmuth.com

Instagram: @williamhellmuth_dp

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamhellmuth/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afy3PqqfTT0

Image Credits
Firehouse Creative