Meet Natalia Moscoso: Cinematographer

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

Hi Natalia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think a factor that helps behind my success, as a cinematographer, is being open-minded. When it comes to film, you meet people of all different types. It’s important, to me, to keep an open-mind of all this and be able to adapt with everyone I work with whether it’s the director, production or my own crew. I’m able to adapt to new personalities and can easily be able to read someone’s energy. I like to remain in a calm state of mind as well, even in the most stressful environments because I know that the way I carry myself is going to influence the environment and people around me. I feel like a lot of people can easily show their anger or stress on set and the work etiquette really downfalls from there. In summarization, you need not only to be talented and knowledgable in this field, but the most importantly being a people-person/open-minded. With that I believe that your success will come easier and more plentiful.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a freelance cinematographer, emphasizing in narrative, music video and commercial work. Cinematography is my favorite form of expression and I love to get intimate with the visuals behind a project. I let the emotion of the project’s genre guide my decisions.

It definitely isn’t an easy journey to endure, especially when you don’t have much money and don’t have family in this business. I came to LA knowing no-one, especially not in this field. So my network started from zero. But I’m proud of how many people I’ve gotten to know and am thankful for those who put my name out there to others. My journey really started out at Cal. State University, Northridge. I was denied to CSUN’s film program, twice. This really felt like the “end of the world” to me, as I knew everyone in film and wanted to grow with them. I ended up going into the TV program where I met so many creative individuals. In the end it was a great opportunity to be rejected by film and transfer to TV, because I would not only network with those in the Film program, but also those in the TV program.

During my college years I would AC for the commercials that CSUN put together. We would prep at the camera house day before and return the day after shooting. Sometimes we’d prep Friday to shoot Monday and as the 1st AC, it was my responsibility to keep and return the camera. This being said, I used the opportunity of having a whole camera kit with me to shoot with my filmmaker friends, even if I had it for only a night . I would reach out to my friend saying “Dude! I have a Red Weapon with me with a giant zoom lens, let’s shoot something!” and we would either pull out an old script or make one up last minute. I would take any opportunities like so that came my way to shoot at any given moment I had. (Sorry if you’re reading this CSUN!). With my left-over FAFSA money I was able to buy my first cinema camera in college, a Sony A7sii. Having a camera in college definitely helped stand out and get more opportunities to shoot other student’s films and projects. I later sold it after college to fund a film I had written and then shot.

Right after college I started working with Aplus Filmz and Bandwidth Bros mainly. Through them I met more filmmakers who would give me more work and more connections. I’ve learned a lot through my early music video experience, as you find yourself always not having enough time or money for something, but that brings upon you a skill of preparedness and problem-solving in which I’m extremely thankful in having. Through my journey I learned there are risks you should know when to take. There’s creative challenges that you shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes with. It all helps you with your future projects. I think by putting myself out there, I’ve allowed more opportunities for work and my own growth as a DP. I’m looking forward to the next story to tell, and hope to grow into someone that inspires and motivates other filmmakers in my similar path.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a big foodie, so here’s a list of food places I’d recommend! Of course, with the pandemic some of these may be closed.

Food: Ave. 26 Tacos, Tacos El Venado, Tsujita annex, KBBQ Castle 2, Roscoe’s Chicken n Waffles, Daves Hot Chicken, Monty’s Good Burger.

Bars: Barney’s Beanery Pasadena, Good Times at Davey Wayne’s, No Vacancy

For a view of LA, go to Skyspace LA in DTLA, where you can see all of LA on the 70th floor. You can also hike to the hollywood sign.

And as a filmmaker, you have to see a movie at the Chinese Theater, with laser IMAX. Also check out Universal’s city walk.
Just a few things to add to your list! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s a million people to really thank for helping me get to where I am now, but I would have to start at the beginning of it all, with Aplus Filmz. Through this production company, I was offered my first budgeted gigs that would better my knowledge and style as a cinematographer. I met them at such an early stage of my career and am thankful the amount of growth I’ve had so far. Working with Aplus also allowed me to network with so many more incredible creators that I’ve done a plethora of work for, such as Rachel Gomez at Viva La Bonita, and Moses Israel with Bandwidth Bros. And through these new networks I met even more talented individuals. I want to also shout out every person I’ve met and worked with back at university/film school: CSUN. Many in which I still work with today. You know who you are! In the end I’m simply honored to have collaborated with so many talented creatives so far, too many to name. I’m eager to see who I’ll be meeting next in my future and the work that’s yet to come.

Website: www.nataliamoscoso.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliamoscoso/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-moscoso-38666885/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nymoscoso

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWYGWsKzN6KE97U22kBVLpw

Other: VIMEO | https://vimeo.com/nataliamoscoso IMDB | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8319354/