Meet Mert Birer | Cinematographer & Actor

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

Hi Mert, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I first started in the industry, it felt like a dream. Those early years were all fun and games. I vividly remember going to shoots, spending maybe 5 or 6 hours on set, wrapping up the project, and then heading home, often complaining about how long the day was. Yet, despite feeling “exhausted,” I’d immediately go out with friends afterward, full of energy. Back then, it seemed like I had all the time in the world, and the work didn’t really feel like work—it was just pure excitement.
Fast forward to today, and things have changed drastically. Now, just half of the preparation for a project can easily take 6 hours. And the funny thing is, during that time, instead of complaining about how long it’s taking, I’m hoping we have even more time to get everything done because there’s always something more to do, something to tweak or perfect.
The last couple of weeks, in particular, have been a whirlwind. In just 14 days, I worked on 16 shoots, and as much as I absolutely love it, it’s undeniably exhausting. Don’t get me wrong—being busy like this is a privilege, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But it does take a toll. I find myself constantly balancing between the excitement of being on set and the fatigue that inevitably comes with it.
What I’ve realized, though, is that as time passes and as I gain more experience in the industry, my schedule only gets busier. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just means I’m growing and connecting with more people, and the demand for my time is increasing. But it’s also taught me a valuable lesson: being busy doesn’t mean I have to sacrifice my social life or personal time. I’ve learned that with precise planning and a bit of flexibility, I can still make time for the things I love outside of work.
It’s all about balance, and for me, that balance comes from being deliberate with my time. Sure, sometimes it means sacrificing a few hours of sleep here and there, but it’s worth it if it means I can stay connected to both my passion and the people who matter to me. At the end of the day, filmmaking is what drives me, but it doesn’t have to consume my entire life. Finding that balance between work and play is key, and I’ve come to appreciate the importance of making time for both.
Looking back, I realize that the early years were necessary to build the foundation I have now. It was all fun and games, but it was also about building connections and honing my craft in a way that felt effortless. Today, the stakes are higher, the workload is heavier, but the reward is so much greater. And through it all, I’ve learned that it’s possible to chase your dreams and still enjoy life along the way. It’s just a matter of planning, passion, and maybe a little less sleep!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started acting when I was 7, stepping into school plays and finding a safe space in the world of performance. Acting was my escape, a way to inhabit different roles and live in a dream world where I could be anyone, anywhere. For over a decade, from ages 7 to 18, my connection to the filmmaking and theater world was solely through acting. I loved the surreal nature of it, constantly turning ordinary things into something magical in my mind. But everything changed in September 2021 when I went to film school in London.
That experience opened my eyes to a whole new side of filmmaking. I remember my very first assignment—writing a four-page script based on a sculpture or painting. I chose a piece of art, and while it had its own history, I found a window to create my own story around it. That assignment sparked something in me—I realized my passion for cinematography. The younger me, who used to imagine entire worlds in his head, was now bringing those images to life through a camera.
My journey as a cinematographer really took off with my first major project as a Director of Photography (DP) on a feature film. We decided to dive into the film noir genre, which felt like a perfect fit for my creative instincts. The film was made on a zero budget, and the challenges were endless—limited equipment, tight schedules, and countless setbacks. But those limitations pushed me to get resourceful, to think outside the box, and to find innovative ways to bring the noir’s signature mood to life. Sometimes, we’d use simple household items to create dramatic shadows or rely on natural light to build tension. Despite the difficulties, the film went on to win a few awards, and that experience truly solidified my love for film noir.
What I love about noir is the suspense, tension, and deep emotional drama it holds. I’ve been trying to bring that essence into my own work ever since, blending classic film noir vibes with modern storytelling techniques. It hasn’t been an easy road, though. The filmmaking industry is highly competitive, and every project comes with its own set of obstacles. But I’ve learned that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. For example, during the production of my first feature, there were delays, issues with securing locations, and so many time constraints, but each hurdle pushed me to refine my skills and find creative solutions. Those lessons have stayed with me—resourcefulness, collaboration under pressure, and pushing creative boundaries when resources are scarce.
Through my work, I aim to transport people, whether it’s through the visual storytelling of a scene or capturing deeply emotional moments. I think my background as an actor really helps me connect with the actors I work with, guiding them to tap into those raw emotions and helping bring the story to life visually. When we were shooting a key scene in my noir project, I focused on the contrast between light and shadow to amplify the emotional weight. We used long takes and carefully framed shots to build that tension, allowing the audience to feel every ounce of the characters’ internal struggles.
I started with acting, but my love for cinematography has taken me to places I never imagined. My goal is to evoke the timeless thrill of film noir while continuing to push the boundaries of modern storytelling. Recently, I’ve been working on blending the classic aesthetics of noir with contemporary narrative structures—bold camera movements, fresh themes, and modern pacing. For me, it’s about finding that balance between honoring the tradition of the genre and exploring new ways to engage and captivate today’s audience. It’s been a journey of passion, persistence, and constant evolution, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I can be a typical tour guide and a perfect 1st AD, giving you a full itinerary breakdown, but instead, let me share with you the perfect Saturday I had just last week.

If my best friend were visiting, our day would go something like this:
1. Wake up, look at each other, confused about why we woke up at 8 a.m.
2. Hit the gym.
3. Come home, get dressed, and head to the film shoot location.
4. Walk through and discuss ideas with key crew members.
5. After wrapping up the professional work, we’d joke around for a bit while grabbing coffee at Priscilla’s (best coffee shop on Riverside).
6. Head back to my place—those coffees are now beers—and probably play some games until everyone in the group shows up.
7. Then, we head to the designated house for a DnD session.
8. We’ll spend 6-7 hours immersed in the game, eating, drinking, listening to music, and having a blast.

That’s my perfect Saturday, everything is balanced.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to give a huge shoutout to my family, especially my mom. She’s been my rock through every twist and turn of this crazy journey. From day one, she’s been in my corner, cheering me on no matter what. I remember when I was just getting started—she was the one who took my first headshots, probably more excited than I was. The first picture of me you just saw, the one in the pool, was all her idea. It was a cold winter day, we were at my aunt’s house, and my mom noticed the sunlight hitting the pool gorgeously. She told me to get in there, and of course, I rebelled against the idea—not because I was a rebellious kid, but because it was freezing! But, one way or another, I got in, and my mom took the picture, which I now use for almost everything. Thank you for dealing with my miserable rebellions, Mom <3. She also helped me with countless self-tapes, spending hours trying to get them just right.So many times where I would like the take and she would say “No, we are doing it again to perfect it” made me the perfectionist I am today! And it wasn’t just the practical stuff—she’s been my biggest motivator, always knowing exactly what to say when I hit a rough patch. Her belief in me has been rock solid, even when I doubted myself. Without her constant love and support, there’s no way I’d be where I am today. Honestly, she’s been the driving force behind so many of my successes, and I’ll always be grateful for everything she’s done.

Website: https://mertali499.wixsite.com/portfolio

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

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