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

Hi Ryan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk to me is a vital part of progression in my life and career. I believe the key part is to take calculated risks. I have always tried to take risks that push me outside my comfort zone but not so far that it would be hard to recover. Stepping outside your comfort zone puts you in a place where you are forced to step up and learn. We should always be learning.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I got where I am today professionally because of taking risks and making mistakes. I have been fortunate to have experienced many highs that I will be forever appreciative for but they haven’t come without challenges. Folks that have been in the industry always say there is no concrete path to take to build a career in Film and Television and it couldn’t be more true. That is the beauty of it though if you ask me. My film professor always said that the industry has a way guiding you to your place in the industry if you keep an open mind to the path and the opportunities that arise. I came to LA as a working DP from the Bay Area. A couple years in I was introduced to the Movi M10 gimbal when it came “out” thanks to a DP friend, “John Rhode”. I picked one up to start using on my own shoots and not long after I was getting asked by DP friends to come operate it on their projects. I fell in love with the role of being solely a camera operator and haven’t looked back.

The biggest challenge to me as a creative was myself. I believe that like most people I wanted to be able to do the biggest projects out there and I wanted to be on them yesterday. I believe you must learn to become patient and put the work in. Find small things to keep working on improving emotional intelligence and physical capability.

One of the biggest lessons I learned along the way is that it’s not about who you know, what you know or who remembers you. Although they are part of the networking the true magic lies in creating genuine relationships. Not working relationships based on what they can do for you. Find folks that you can actually be friends with even if a job doesn’t come up. Those have always been some of the best relationships I’ve ever made.

I am first and foremost and always will be a storyteller. Big fancy shots may be cool but they mean nothing if they don’t support the story. That is what I want the world to know about me and my creative approach.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The beauty of LA is there so many different things you can do no matter what day of the week. For me, food spots would have to include Moos Craft BBQ for their brisket and Mac & cheese. Best in town! Followed up by the German/Korean fried Rice bowls at Biergarten LA in Koreatown. Some afternoon activities would include a horse ride to the Hollywood Sign, a beer at one of the many great breweries, meandering through LACMA and searching for a good book in The Last Bookstore. With some final night adventures including catching an up and coming music artist at The Troubadour, an LAFC game, backlot tram at Universal studios and a bonfire at Dockweiler Beach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
People and books are the most influential to me and I don’t want to leave either out. Let’s start with people but I can’t narrow it down to just one individual. There have been a handful of individuals that I will forever be grateful for. First, Gerald T. Olson was my film school professor that always pushed me, supported big ideas and I wouldn’t be in LA without him pushing me to come. Second, Adam Sushitzky, BSC is an amazing Director of Photography that I was lucky enough to collaborate on Yellowstone Season 2 with and pushed me to pick up photography to hone my eye. Third, the brilliant camera operators Geoff Haley and Dave Luckenbach were amazing mentors who gifted me with their time and allowed me to learn so much from them. Lastly, my father who always supported every endeavor I wanted to pursue as a kid. I still remember the brown paper lunch bags he’d drop off to me in grade school. They always had two words written on them, “Free Spirit.”

Self growth is always a constant in my life and I typically turn to books in search of those ideas. Two books will always come to mind when asked what had the most impact on me, The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck and Slightly Out of Focus by Robert Capa. I always crave learning about the psychology of understanding others and myself as well understanding the nitty gritty of the personal creative process.

Website: www.cowboycameraman.com

Instagram: cowboycameraman

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4340064/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
Mercy Hasselblad Darin Moran Gonzalo Marroquin Steven Finestone Emmy Frances

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