Meet Marley Maitland | Cinematographer & First Assistant Camera

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

Hi Marley, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think the most most important fact or behind my success are the people I chose to surround myself with. Over the last 6 years I have met quite a lot of people but I really chose to work with people who were there for me and vice versa. There are a lot of people who gravitate towards the newer generation of film makers who want to use them for cheap work or just free bodies to throw at a project but if you can find people and clients who really respect you and work and truly trust you it makes climbing this industry super fun and rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Cinematographer and First Assistant Camera in the film industry. Most people brand themselves as a DP, Director, Production Designer, etc. One position, one role only but I really do enjoy doing both roles and I feel like I learn so much because I am on both sides often and I have yet to really fall out of touch with either side. I think my story is pretty common: Move to LA, go to film school and then battle your way to a film career afterwards but I really wouldn’t say it was easy. I came into the industry near the end of 2018 and even though I wanted to work often I was brand new and bills still had to be paid so I had to grab some side jobs here and there but eventually COVID hit and after a year of building it all came crashing down suddenly. As quickly as it all started it felt like everything stopped. During that year of working I was mostly just working on low budget shorts, student films and such and just trying to get by but nothing really came of that, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to be able to work full time and be able to sustain my life without working 24/7 coming back to it all after the pandemic. After the industry opened back up I was ready to give it my all and that’s what I did and eventually I met some amazing now friends and colleagues who really lifted me up and gave me a chance. The biggest lesson I learned after all of that was to really step back and take in everything little detail about everything happening around you, I learned so much by just listening to those around me and how they solved problems. I was fortunate to know some of the best of the best who would answer any and all of my questions that I had and to this day still help me so much.

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?
I really don’t go out a lot to be honest, I really don’t think I could think of a week of things to do but here’s what I can think of off the top of my head

Porto’s Bakery
Bring your friend to work day
Aquarium of the Pacific
Street food vendors

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to shoutout a short list of people who have just brought me up to a level that I never even imagined. These people really gave me a chance and let me mess up more than a few times and they always made sure that even when things didn’t go to plan that they are here to support me always. I am forever grateful for you guys and your generosity over this growing period of time. I have so much love for each and everyone one of you.

Sarah Winters
Daniel Gomez
Nick Novotny
Steven Moreno
Joe Marine
And everyone else that we are so privileged to work with on a daily basis, you know who you are!

Website: https://www.marleymaitland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marleymaitlanddp/