How Real Is STAY IN LA? Plus Sundance DPs on Landing Jobs & Getting Shots

In this episode, GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman tackle the timely question of whether production in Los Angeles is truly back, despite rising costs and the lure of tax incentives elsewhere. They also host a special Sundance DP Roundtable, featuring cinematographers from some of the festival's most talked-about films. These filmmakers share the stories of how they landed their gigs, the creative and technical choices behind their work, and how shooting on location posed unique challenges and opportunities. From the reality of Stay in LA initiatives to working with first-time directors and navigating quick turnarounds or even war-related production pivots, this episode is a deep dive into the craft and chaos of cinematography today.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins, Jason Hellerman, and guests discuss...

• The current state of film production in Los Angeles and whether it’s really “back”
• Tax incentives drawing productions to places like Ireland, Canada, and Texas
• The emotional and practical toll of filming far from home
• Behind-the-scenes challenges of indie productions and festival films
• How DPs landed their Sundance jobs and their strategies for collaboration with directors
• Favorite gear, lenses, and technical decisions from Sundance cinematographers
• Working with non-actors, shooting in unpredictable locations, and reacting in real time
• Tools, workflows, and prep habits DPs rely on when heading into production

Guests:

• Adolpho Veloso – DP of Train Dreams
• Mia Cioffi Henry – DP of Sorry, Baby
• Ethan Palmer – DP of Plainclothes
• Christopher Aoun – DP of All That's Left of You

Memorable Quotes:

• "I always say prepping like that is like studying for an exam, and then it’s like not an open book test.”
• "You either are not going to sleep because you're working long hours, or because you're anxious because you're not working."
• "Some of the best stuff that's come my way has been very low budget."

Resources:

• California’s “Stay in LA” push for local production
• The new hubs becoming “Hollywood” around the world

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