Meet Carol Colombo | Digital Imaging Technician (DIT)
We had the good fortune of connecting with Carol Colombo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Carol, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success has been the discipline and mindset I bring to my role as a DIT. In every project, I see my job not just as a technical function but as a form of stewardship: I’m there to protect the visual continuity of the story, to preserve the director’s vision, and to ensure that every department can trust the images they see on the monitors are exactly what will be delivered to post.
This trust isn’t built overnight. I invested years studying areas where even minor errors can compromise the entire production. But beyond the technical expertise, what sets my work apart is my commitment to creating systems that allow productions to be faster and more confident in their decisions. Whether I’m working on a commercial campaign, a documentary, or a narrative feature, I approach each project with the same question: How can I make this process more precise, more secure, and more creatively liberating for everyone involved?
I’ve been fortunate to work with directors and production teams who value that mindset. They know that when I’m overseeing the image pipeline, they can focus on performance and storytelling without worrying about technical vulnerabilities. I think that’s why my brand has grown so organically: word-of-mouth recommendations from producers who have seen firsthand that I care as much about their projects as they do.
Consistency has also played a huge role. In this industry, it’s easy to deliver your best when everything goes as planned. But the real test is when something fails: when you lose a camera feed, when metadata gets corrupted, or when color doesn’t match across scenes. Those are the moments where I’ve built my reputation by staying calm, solving the problem without drama, and proving that no detail is too small to deserve my full attention.
Ultimately, my success comes down to trust and rigor. Being a DIT is not only about managing technology, it’s about honoring the creative intention behind every frame and protecting it with everything I know. That responsibility is what drives me, and it’s what I believe has made my work stand out over the years.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work has always been about more than equipment or settings, it’s about translating feeling into something that lasts.
As a Digital Imaging Technician and Camera Assistant, I live in the space between creativity and precision. My role is to protect every frame: the color, the detail, the integrity of the story itself. It requires an unusual combination of discipline and intuition being able to catch a technical issue before it happens while also understanding what the director wants the audience to feel.
What sets me apart is that I see this as a craft rooted in empathy. Every project has its own rhythm, and every team has its own language. I think part of why I’ve built strong relationships in this industry is that I genuinely care about how people work together. My job isn’t only about cameras, it’s about supporting an environment where creativity can thrive safely and confidently.
Getting to this point wasn’t simple. I started in Brazil, where very few women worked in camera departments. I was told again and again that I wouldn’t last, that the job was “too heavy,” that it was a field for people with more “traditional” backgrounds. But I refused to shrink myself to fit those expectations. I spent years studying every technical manual I could find, observing more experienced colleagues, practicing in my own time after long days on set.
Over time, those early obstacles became the foundation of my confidence. I learned that you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to lead with clarity. That showing up prepared every single time is more powerful than any ego.
What I want people to know about my story is that every image I help create comes from this commitment to care. My brand is about consistency, respect, and the idea that even the smallest detail can carry something honest and human. Whether I’m working on a documentary, a music video, or a commercial, my purpose is the same: to protect the vision and give it the best possible chance to connect with someone else’s life.
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 love simple experiences that make me feel connected to the city.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d definitely take them to a few of my favorite places, starting with the beaches. There’s something about the ocean in California that resets your mind. We’d spend a day in Malibu or Santa Monica, just sitting in the sand, maybe walking along the shore until sunset.
At night, I’d take them to Idol Hour in North Hollywood. It’s a relaxed bar with a warm atmosphere, perfect for long conversations over a drink or two.
I’d also love to explore more museums with them The Getty, the Broad, the Natural History Museum. Even though I live in Los Angeles, I feel like I still have so much to discover. Sharing that curiosity with someone close would make it even more special.
If there were a game or concert happening, I’d definitely take them along. I don’t really know much about sports like football, but I’ve always been curious to experience the excitement in person. It feels like such a big part of the culture here.
Mostly, I think we’d keep it simple: a mix of good food, quiet moments by the ocean, a little art, and maybe something new neither of us has tried before. For me, that’s the best way to really feel the spirit of LA.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people and experiences that shaped who I am, but if I had to dedicate my shoutout to just a few, it would be to the directors, producers, and creative teams who believed in me long before any recognition or awards came along.
In the early stages of my career, when I was still proving I could handle the responsibility of overseeing image pipelines and ensuring the technical integrity of productions, I was fortunate to have mentors who trusted me to deliver—even on projects that felt overwhelming at the time.
Their confidence was what gave me the courage to accept roles on campaigns and productions that would go on to achieve significant recognition, like Cannes Lions–awarded commercials, global music videos for artists like Karol G and Maluma, and narrative films that screened in respected festivals.
I’m also grateful to the crews who collaborated side by side on long nights troubleshooting equipment and perfecting workflows, and to the colleagues who never hesitated to share their expertise.
And above all, my family deserves credit for reminding me why this work matters. Even from thousands of miles away, their belief in me made it possible to pursue a career that has crossed countries, cultures, and creative disciplines.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroliscolombo?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user173796883?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLavLJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp-b-Lc99mvt82kpoQ6I8zI6Tbm68kryXV7JhKqgpKPqfFl50-fRcScR_bjQ3_aem_6aJ6lZgoYpCNIfYtnDd1Uw
IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm14346807/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLavNpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp0CeO05TrEPfs7GitcZrSnBsEqS8_VURB7EwcCazu60zGXl2tPp-upM8snEr_aem_1o37bpW6pbcfFP0OPapd0Q
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
