Meet Mac Kotas: Cinematographer & Photographer

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

Hi Mac, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I dont think you can be a creative/artists without taking risks. There is no real career path, no stable income, no set hours, and no real guarantees. For me the first risk, as I think it is with most artists, is showing the world what you create. You work really hard on something and then you show it to someone and they are like “meh”. At first it stings. Why doesnt everyone love this thing I worked so hard and long on? After awhile though you realize you can’t please everyone and to just keep going forward. The next biggest risk is choosing a creative industry as a full time career. After college I was a bit naïve on how the whole industry worked. I guess I had never really thought about how to get work. You can’t just apply online to shoot films. I started freelancing by answering ads off Craigslist. I was lucky though, I didnt have to take loans out for college and I lived at home for the first year out of school. I couldn’t imagine doing what I did with college loans hanging over my head, because it takes time to start earning decent money in a creative industry. I did a lot of crap jobs at first just to build up a resume. Thats the tough part about going at it on your own, it takes time. You have to network, the pay is up and down, there are lots of moments of self doubt, but if you persevere and push through you’ll be rewarded. For me one of the biggest risks I took with my career was moving to LA. This is a very common story for a lot of people, but its not easy to pack up your life and move to a huge city with hopes of achieving your dreams. I drove across country from North Carolina with a U-Haul attached to my car. I didn’t really know that many people here, but I knew I had to be here to get the ball rolling in my career. When I got here I shared a room with 3 other people in a house. I worked as a background actor for about a year to make ends meet. I had money saved up, but my parents weren’t helping me. It was all a bit fun and crazy, but there were times I was wondering if it was all worth giving up my life back home. I am glad I started working in Charlotte before moving to LA though. It’s a lot easier to move here and get work if you have some experience and show more to show. I imagine moving here straight out of school has to be a lot harder. Risk is everything in a creative industry. If there wasnt any risk everyone would be doing it. You have to want it and be willing to sacrifice and chance failing to progress. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For me creating with cameras has always been a passion and I’m glad I’ve been able to turn it into a career. I think what sets me apart is my obsession with symmetry. I love a well balanced frame. I try to compose every shot as properly as I can with symmetry in mind. I’m really trying to give Wes Anderson a run for his money. I got to where I am by doing good work and being easy to work with. Who you know and right place right time is more important than talent. People will want to work with you more if youre fun to be around and a team player. When you have to be on set with someone for hours on end you want to be around people you like. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is just go for it. Theres never going to be a right time to do something so might as well go for it. Everyone is going to tell you no or your idea is stupid, but if everyone listened to that advice we wouldnt have all the great art we do today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My first stop is Griffith Park/Observatory. It’s a great view of the city and its such a cool place. Also if they’ve been flying or driving for awhile they probably want to move around a bit. Next stop is tacos. My friends always get a kick out of how many taco spots we have and how they are in the most random locations. You cant get amazing tacos in a car wash parking lot back in North Carolina. My go to spot would be Angels Tacos off Sunset in Echo Park. The al pastor is a must and their fresh tortillas complete the experience. Lastly, to drink I would take them to Davey Waynes. It’s a bit of a popular spot but for friends that have never been to LA they get a kick out of entering through the fridge and the all 70’s décor. Also since its in Hollywood you can walk to other places pretty easily. I would end the night at 4100 Bar which is my neighborhood favorite.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents for sure. I don’t think they are as risk tolerate as I am and I’m sure I tested their nerves a bit, but they have stood by me and supported me along the way. They never tried to talk me out of anything and let me find my way.

Website: www.mackotasfilm.com
Instagram: macagraphs