Meet Ben Steeper | Writer, Director, and Cinematographer

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

Hi Ben, what is the most important factor behind your success?

I’ve always had strong artistic and aesthetic opinions, to the point that, when I was a child learning to draw, if I didn’t like how my drawing came out I would furiously shred the paper to bits. Since then, thankfully, my reactions have gotten less drastic but I still think that a large part of my personal success has come from being willing to make bold choices based on trust in my tastes. This leads to a characteristic style and the ability to get the job done. This in turn earns me the respect needed to book gigs as a director and cinematographer, and while tastes can always differ, we can all respect a hustle for the process. But success in this industry, however, requires an amazing team, and so a larger key to my success is identifying other artists with drive and vision and forming relationships with them. I have surrounded myself with amazing artists in the industry and we are constantly raising the bar and pushing each other to grow and create–I feel I’d be a lot less without these fervent friends.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

If you’re outside the film industry looking in, the first thing to say about being an independent filmmaker is that this gig based career offers very little job security. It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I love it. I run Steep Productions and work mostly as a writer/director and a cinematographer, but on any given day I could work as a producer, drone pilot, FPV pilot, editor, or colorist, and I have to keep all these skills honed. In this industry, your only job security is the quality of the art you produce. Maybe this is true for many fields, however in a freelance career the proximity to the pressure perhaps makes it more tangible.

That said, this industry is full of people who could have made more money somewhere else, but instead they pushed on through a slough of low paying gigs for the love of the art. These are the people I love to meet and work with, the ones who still have the glimmer in their eyes after running the gauntlet. I should clarify, the gauntlet never ends. That, coupled with the ever changing nature of each gig makes for a challenging and engaging work environment.

As I just hinted at, attitude plays a huge role in making it in this industry. Mindset is definitely a large part of what has gotten me to where I am. There is always so much to learn it can be daunting but I am excited by this and determined to learn and invent new techniques to apply to each new production. Moreover, I always look at my completed projects with a balance of pride for any improvements and recognition of the next steps on the ladder. That ladder never ends either. I try to keep that in mind. Mindset plays a role in smaller ways on every set as well. There is a distinct feeling that comes with recognizing a colleague who “gets it.” This is the kind of person who can see the scope of the production, anticipate what comes next and solve problems in advance. And this doesn’t depend on your position on set, everyone recognizes this foresight whether in a production assistant or a producer. It is really fun to experience when a whole crew works like a well oiled machine, especially when you might not know half the crew or more in any given shoot. This experience of working hard and well with a team brings you together.

I can’t speak for everyone in film careers but I can break down my own job a bit. As filmmakers, we tell stories for a living, whether it’s my own films, someone else’s script, or even a business’s story there is always some room for creativity. It’s a blast and fulfilling. As a director, one of the best moments on a set is creating a tone and a scene and then watching actors add their own genius and making it better than you imagined. It doesn’t every take, but when everything comes together just right, cast, crew, and story, then you get gold. Everyone can feel it. 

I have also found a lot of work as a cinematographer, because I have the equipment and skills. Cinematography suits me well because I have been a visual artist as far back as I could hold a pencil. Furthermore, many independent filmmakers want to direct their own films but need someone to shoot it. By shooting their scripts, aside from being paid, I get even more practice making films. 

Similarly, I’ve gotten to where I am by saying ‘yes.’ I have learned a lot from accepting lower paying indie projects. That gig might refer me to a huge job down the line and that unpredictability is the way of the industry. Many amazing gigs come from the smallest connections and it is a good reminder that filmmakers don’t have to be swinging in the big leagues to be amazing artists. Now I get very excited to be hired onto a good idea, a script with merit, both to work on the creation itself, but also to develop an artistic relationship with the other members of a team. 

If there’s one thing I’d like people to know about my story it’s that it’s all about connection. Firstly there is connection to the people I work with. This is because, more than the wages I earn, the relationships last. There have been a number of slow times in the history of my career, and it is these relationships that keep me motivated and working when I need it. And perhaps more important in the end is connection to the audience. Films have made me or helped me feel so many things, pent up pain, love, frustration, creativity, or even wonder. I would like the chance to give back to everyone who’s hurting or exalting or just plain chillin’ looking to be entertained. I’ve been there too, and sometimes it hits hard to connect from a distance. But above all else, I’m after the wonder, because if we can share a little bit of wonder, we might just inspire someone else to get after their dreams as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

If I’ve got a friend visiting town I’m definitely taking them to the Comedy Store, and maybe to The Griddle right before that. We used to eat there in college, and, though I don’t usually need 3 pounds of pancakes anymore, it’s hilariously right for the right occasion. Then, being a film fan, I’d recommend going to the movies, probably at either of the Regency theaters on Weyburn because I used to go there all the time and because of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood of course. Finally, it’s not a full trip without a good nature escapade so I’d also suggest taking them to Malibu Creek State Park and hoping the water is high enough to jump from the rocks, but I’d go for a swim regardless.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Christina Kortum of Ravenous Studios, she is a special effects makeup artist who has worked on large films and shows but takes the time to work with indie filmmakers. I met her specifically because she said yes to a low budget film below her skill level to help out a mutual friend and producer for whom I was writing and directing. Since meeting her, she has been a wealth of knowledge and a mentor for me, giving me industry insight as well as encouragement. She’s believed in me from the start and astutely pointed out to me my strengths and areas I need to work on. She is generous, a friend of filmmakers of all levels, and creative as can be. You’ve seen her work on Grimm and American Horror Story.

Also, my friends at AWRY Productions. Jarred Harper, Sarang Sharma, Auberth Bercy, and Rick Shepard. We all keep raising the bar and we always keep the dream in sight. They are the kind of motivated friends I had always hoped for. I feel lucky that I met them! Love you all!

Website: steepproductions.com

Instagram: benjamin.steep

Image Credits
Johan Doornenbal Sarang Sharma