Meet Casey Bohrnell | Cinematographer and Colorist

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

Hi Casey, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
We all have a fundamental responsibility to leave things better than we found them. This includes our family, community, and ourselves. I have been fortunate to receive many opportunities in life, and it’s important to me to help create opportunities for others to grow.

I believe one of the most important things we can do is continuously improve ourselves so that we can better serve others. When we help others, we help create a stronger community, and I think that is really important right now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up, I was always pursuing art in some form, anything that involved using my energy in creative ways. I would borrow my family camera to shoot short films with my friends and then edit them on an old VHS player in the basement. As I learned more about filmmaking, I eventually found a home in cinematography and color grading.

Recently, I’ve found myself combining the roles of cinematographer and colorist, bringing my skills to set as a Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) specializing in live color grading and image management. A recent proud moment was being credited as DIT for the aerial units on “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” It was fun traveling and flying helicopters around the Northwest with the Marvel team.

Getting where I am today required a lot of dedication. The film industry is a difficult gig and presents hard lessons. This career is not a sure thing, there have been huge gaps in my ability to work. I’ve have had to stay proactive in diversifying my skillset and experience. When being confronted with changing processes and technology, it’s my job to keep up. So I spend my free time learning new skills and practicing to push my abilities forward.

As a leader, it’s essential to address challenges and instill confidence in your team. Ensuring the safety and proper treatment of your crew is paramount; you are made or broken by your crew, you need to serve them first and foremost. Developing a team that feels invested in the process and comfortable in sharing their ideas is crucial.

My journey in the film industry has many acts left to go. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and the people I have met along the way. I believe film allows us to watch characters develop on screen and reflect on ourselves and our stories. I’m excited to bring about more of those experiences with my work.

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.
When I have friends in town, we start the day with a walk down the LA River. I love supporting local spots like Cafecito Organico, where they roast their own beans. Having a coffee and walking along the LA River, watching the blue herons is a favorite pastime that I enjoy sharing with visitors.

After that, we could head to a great Filipino spot called Rose Cafe on Fountain Ave. The owner, Lem, is a character and curates a quaint space; I recommend you try the ube pastries.

In the afternoon, one of my go-to spots to hang out is the Huntington Library Botanical Gardens. The updated Chinese garden is stunning, and the historical library is worth checking out. Another option is one of the local art museums. I enjoy a stroll at the Broad downtown for contemporary art or the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena for their large range of Renaissance and Impressionist works.

If my guest is adventurous, I might take them on a hike to one of our awesome local waterfalls. If they’re here for a longer visit, a drive up to Sequoia National Park is perfect for kicking back and enjoying the trails and views.

In the evening, LA’s restaurant scene has a lot to offer. There are hidden gems for Northern Thai food in Thai Town. For a more dressed-up night, I take friends to Bacari in Silver Lake for great tapas or Dunsmoor for meat and wine. But the low key food trucks and taco stands are the real winners for good LA eats.

Overall I love having guests in town and showing them the diverse scene. With the mountains next door and great food and entertainment in the city there is something for everyone.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
No one achieves success alone, I owe so much to those who have supported me along the way. First and foremost, I’m grateful to my parents and the skating community in Chicago who encouraged me as a young filmmaker. I would never have gotten where I am today without the summers I spent collaborating with my friends. We would be road tripping to shoot skate videos, racing to finish a short film or racking our brains to come up with a new music video treatment. These experiences helped develop my eye as a visual artist and storyteller.

Out in LA, the support from Andrew Melby and the people at Netflix. Including me as a collaborator has opened doors and provided opportunities that have helped me grow. From working with Jenna Ortega to Dave Chappelle, and even having Ted Sarandos visit our sets to see what we are up to.

Shout out to my incredible crew mates and friends who all help get it done. The support of the International Cinematographers Guild and Editors Guild. And a big thanks to Bill Pope (DP of “The Matrix”) for including me in his work on “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” I have been very fortunate to have this moment in time surrounded by great people to pursue my craft.

Website: https://caseybohrnell.com

Instagram: @c_seyb_lives_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbohrnell/

Image Credits
Jonathan Labez
Cass Chang
Steve Matiasek