Meet Christy Knudson | Cinematographer, Camera Operator, Assistant Camera

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

Hi Christy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been a creative person, and my whole life has revolved around making art in one form or another. For years I jumped around in every medium under the sun; from charcoal and other traditional mediums, to pottery, photography, textile work, and anything I could get my hands on. The biggest jump for me was starting to transition from photography to filmmaking, and although it could be assumed to be a seamless transition, it both challenged and satisfied me in a way that was unlike anything else. The biggest difference in my past artistic strives versus my start in filmmaking was the realization that I cannot do it alone. What I love most about this career is that it’s never expected to be a solitary environment, and the act of filmmaking is inherently a group effort with so many moving pieces that must come together. Nothing makes me happier than making art, and finally having a medium that allows me to work alongside other people in the same direction has been one of the healthiest and creatively satisfying realizations in both my career and life as a whole. Beyond this, it continues to allow me to have a schedule where I’m able to explore my old traditional artistic endeavors on my days off!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a cinematographer and camera operator. I have a background in a million different types of artistic mediums, and growing up, creation as a whole was always how I expressed myself. After changing my major 100 times in college, I found a love for cinematography through the classes I took and the peers I got to work with. I left Santa Barbara City College with an Associates degree in Film production, and an Associates degree in Art History almost a year ago exactly (July 1st, 2024). I “moved” (slept on an air mattress in my friend’s empty room for a couple weeks) to Los Angeles the day my lease in Santa Barbara ended to PA on my first indie feature and float around to see where I wanted to transfer to in order to get my traditional bachelors in film. By the end of the set I had finally found a place to live, and had got to talk to some of the crew about their experiences in the industry, if they had gone to traditional school or not, and how they got to where they are. The DP of the film eventually saw some of my early work and told me: “Stop PA-ing right this second, your DP work is awesome! Seriously focus all your time on that.” So that’s exactly what I did.

I think what sets me apart from others is my deep appreciation and experience for art and creation in all its forms. I’ve had my hands in pottery, textile design, traditional mediums, art history, and any possible outlet I can to learn more and grow a deeper appreciation for creation as a whole. Every one of my experiences in experimenting with texture, color, light, shadows, composition, and general visual expression is compiled into who I am as a cinematographer, how I view the world around me, and how I shape whatever subject is in front of my camera with everything considered in mind.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned in the past year is to not allow myself to be complacent. I constantly try to find projects that push me as a cinematographer and give me the opportunity to better myself and my work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is so much of the city I have to discover still, but since I am a foodie my must eat spots are definitely:

Thai Temple in Noho, weekends & cash only and the MOST authentic thai food you’ll get in the city. I’m Thai and grew up with the best homecooked Thai food everyday so trust me.

Bao Dim Sum house on Beverly Blvd. The spicy wontons are crazy good.

The taco stand outside the Whole Foods on Lincoln Blvd in Venice. Outside of the bay area, that is the best burrito I’ve ever had in my life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad has been the biggest supporter of my creative endeavors. Ever since I was a kid he told me no matter what, I have to love what I do and to take my time in figuring out whatever that may be. There was never any pressure of knowing exactly where I need to be for this to happen, or where I need to be in 5 years to achieve this or that. My dad has always taught me to slow down, enjoy the journey, and have fun in the process of figuring it out; I constantly remind myself of this.

Website: https://Chriz7y.com

Instagram: @Chriz7y

Image Credits
Wiley Yankopoulos, Matt Cary