Meet Stewart Yost | Director and Cinematographer

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

Hi Stewart, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think risk goes hand in hand with art, to not only put yourself and your work out there, but to make a career out of it.

I started as a cinematographer and over time had a deep passion for directing, taking that leap and becoming a director is probably one of my biggest career risks I’ve ever taken. Most directors don’t want another director to be their cinematographer, but it was the best decision I ever made and even though it is insanely difficult I have never regretted taking that risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is what drives me everyday. I love sci-fi and thriller films, but my work tends to mix genres. The goal is to shift people’s perspective just a couple degrees from normal and show them something relatively fresh and new. I think what sets my work apart is that I have worked in nearly every department on a film set and done a ton of jobs in many art fields, so I try to work with the most innovative artists that can bring what they do best and not step on their toes. After all I am just directing the vision, they are creating most of it.

I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is that nothing in “Art” is easy, I am overcoming challenges everyday. Trying to become a better director, business person, and human. I want to leave the world and the film industry a better place than when I showed up. I want to create things that challenge peoples view points and raises awareness to the world around us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently reside in Glendale and am a homebody but, I would immediately take them to Abuelitas Birria spot in Hollywood and then grab some drinks at the grey hound in Glendale.

I love nature so the Angeles forest is where I do some of my best thinking.

LA has a bit of everything so I like to keep it easy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Person- I want to give a shout-out to Austin Saya, not only an amazing person but an awesome Artist/Director . I have been his cinematographer for over 15 years and he has been an amazing ally in Los Angeles.

Company-
I want to give a shout-out to CSLA Camera house. Jacob and Eli are not only amazing cinematographers but run an incredible company that has some of the most unique lenses on the planet and amazing helpful staff.

Website: Stewartyost.com

Instagram: @stew.director.yost

Linkedin: Stewart Yost

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3296339/

Image Credits
Danny Reams @flex_wf @monhandmathurin