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

Hi Akis, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Work hard at your job and you’ll make a living. Work on yourself and you’ll make a fortune”. This is a quote that I try to live by everyday; it means the world to me. It’s easy to get lost in the daily work routine and to put all your energy in checking off all the to do tasks. At the end of the day, your work is only a small part of who you are. The focus should really be on yourself. You need to constantly be developing new skills and exploring your talents. And if you focus on developing and improving yourself in every aspect, then everything is possible!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since I was 12 years old, growing up in Thessaloniki, Greece, thousands of miles away from Los Angeles, I wanted to become a filmmaker.

I had no idea what that meant or what I had to do in order to ‘make’ it. 25 years later, after graduating from Harvard University and the American Film Institute, I have been able to photograph more than 20 feature films and over 100 scripted/unscripted projects, spanning 20 states, 8 countries and 30 cities. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside people that I grew up admiring and watching on TV.  One thing I have learnt during my journey is that success does not happen overnight (even if it appears so). To be successful is a marathon, not a sprint. And the success of today is based on what I did yesterday, months, years ago.

Recently, I had the honor of being the cinematographer for two filmmakers I have long admired – Phedon Papamichael (Ford Vs Ferrari, 3:10 to Yuma, The Trial of the Chicago 7) on his latest directorial effort, Light Falls and John Leonetti (The Mask, Annabelle, Scorpion King) on his latest horror film, Lullaby. In addition, I’ve had the pleasure of shooting the TV series, The Chosen, which has amassed over 120 million views, being one of the most watched and successful TV shows to date. Currently, I’m very excited to be prepping a touching motorcycle racing story to be shot this summer in LA!

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?
Shutters on the Beach for breakfast, then a walk on Abbot Kinney for some shopping and good coffee. Sushi Gen, downtown, for some damn good sushi followed by a stroll at the Griffith Observatory as the sun is setting. Another one on the list would be a long drive down PCH along with a swim at Paradise Cove and drinks at Moonshadows. Mulholland drive and Laurel Canyon would also be included along with lunch/dinner at one of my favorites, Pace.
Last but not least, I would also plan on some hiking by the Hollywood sign and a drive out to Malibu Wines for some wine tasting while enjoying the countryside. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents for always supporting me since day 1.

Website: www.akisdp.com

Instagram: akisdp

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