Meet Brandon Tran | Cinematographer

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

Hi Brandon, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Being surrounded by people that believe in you and support you. As a filmmaker, it is incredibly hard to communicate visually what you are tying to express. Most of the time your message ends up being cluttered by other technical priorities that you end up with a message completely different from what you intended. But to find people that are at least understanding of what you are trying to say, achieve, or evoke, it makes for an environment and a space that nurtures creativity and individual expression.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s always uncomfortable for me to talk about myself, I’m quite an introverted person. As an introverted person I tend to be more observant than talkative, so perhaps that’s what sets me a part. As such, chasing some form of truth in my art is a very important thing to me. My approach to how I use light to paint the subject or the setting to convey an expression, how I frame or angle an image with a lens, or how I traverse through space with a camera for the sake of ultimate expression is what sets me a part I think. Hard to describe especially since we’re talking about a visual medium.

I only got to where I was because of equally talented people. I’m always shocked when people come to me asking for my participation on a project as a Director of Photography. I always ask “Are you sure?” I’m an insecure person so perhaps I ask only for reassurance of their choice. But whatever project I am on I always put my entire being into it.

It was never an easy task being a filmmaker. I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t go into film to make money, but rather for the expression and creative liberty. Ironic because film is one of the most expensive art forms. Financial challenges always seem to be the biggest obstacle to creating art, and usually the only way to overcome this is to collectively support one another and depend on one another.

Some lessons I’ve learned is to believe in yourself and the voice you have. People around you choose to be by your side because they see something that perhaps is difficult for oneself to acknowledge or perceive. However, that is a testament of a certain capacity for talent and diligence. Trust in yourself and your decisions.

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 think Highland Park is a really wonderful spot. It has a wonderful nostalgic aesthetic that I think is unbeatable. Old Town Pasadena is extremely beautiful. I always tell my friends that If I could I would retire in Pasadena simply because of how peaceful and idyllic it is. Lastly, the San Gabriel Valley. The food and drinks in the SGV is just unmatched. You have a variety of Asian and Mexican food that are authentic and delicious.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I acknowledge that I am where I am today because of the people around me. My creative pillars, my fellow filmmakers, and most importantly, friends, that help me nurture my skills as a Director of Photography. I thank Javier Barajas, the first director I worked with, Christian Aceves, the second director worked with, Elizabeth Luna, the third, and Brandon Lien, an invaluable creative partner in life.

Website: https://www.brandontrandp.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandontran0/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-tran-5379a71a9/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD9RRpgzek70ruDFv7LapEQ

Other: https://youtu.be/-e8heM6Fe6Y?si=p3mLbYvrK48Hwd81

Some short films I worked on!

Image Credits
Photographers:
Marcello Paul Frisina (Black and White pictures)

Nolan Doherty (Colored pictures)