Meet Michael Doyle | Cinematographer and Partner in Fluxgate LLC

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

Hi Michael, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Growing up my grandfather had a surveying business where I assisted him. He had a room full of maps and a truck full of gear, and it showed me that it’s possible for someone to own their own business. Then, meeting Greg Harriott in college and discovering that our approaches to the work, and to collaborating with people was very similar, we very quickly agreed to form a partnership. Once we had some years planting seeds with different clients in New York City we agreed it was time to make it official and start an LLC.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Documentary cameraperson is a fantastic career for a curious person. I’ve been lucky enough to film with popular musicians, marine biologists trying to protect the oceans, surgeons performing cutting edge medical procedures. You can have completely different subjects and challenges from day to day. I love this part of it, and I try to be methodical about learning as much as I can about the situation. I try to have the right tools for the plan and to also be ready when the plan changes. Working in these types of situations is helped greatly by having someone you trust implicitly. Greg and I can work fast to break down a plan and divide subjects and then pivot when it becomes necessary to flip coverage. On “The Cave of Adullam” which won both Best Feature Documentary and Audience Choice at Tribeca 2022 we were able to really be in sync. A lot of the time without saying much. The other part that I love about documentary is that you really get to know your subject, sometimes in a short amount of time. You need to establish quickly that they can trust you to show them in their best light. Often we are asking people to reveal parts of themselves, and I think being able to talk to someone honestly and show that you are there to take care of them helps a lot in this process.

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.
In NYC I would take them to the Met (The Metropolitain Museum of Art), I’ve been there a million times, but I think it’s an important stop in NY. The artworks are iconic, but I like hearing a new take or new response to something I’ve seen and thought about a lot already.

Also high on the list would be the Rubin Museum of Art. Just a lovely quiet space and some of the exhibitions you can’t get anywhere else.

And I’d probably round it out by catching a movie at IFC Center.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Too many people have been great collaborators or shared insights, but my wife Michelle and my partner Greg Harriott are my sounding boards for all of my big decisions and their insights have helped me find my way to the work I’ve always wanted to do.

My parents definitely fostered a love of images. My Mom taught me to draw and raised my siblings and I in museums. My Dad took us to see so many movies and then helped find the Maine Media Workshops, which gave me such a strong foundation in the rudiments of cinematography.

Also, I’ve had the opportunity to apprentice under such great DPs and been able to watch their approach to the craft. Buddy Squires ASC, Peter Trilling, Mark Molesworth, Mark Trottenberg, and Travis Tips have all shown me such fantastic approaches to capturing life.

Website: mikedoyledp.com

Instagram: @mikedoyledp

Image Credits
Alan Kudan Greg Harriott Kate Montgomery