cinematographer (1)

One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Justin Chin

I've known Justin for about 4 years now and I'm not alone in claiming him as a mentor. This man is a craftsman - encapsulating an unparalleled work ethic, unsurmountable precision, and a deep respect for the field. I'm honored to bring him on as our latest Ambassador. You can check out more of his work here.

Who are you and what is your profession?
Justin Chin, cinematographer, filmmaker, artist

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
Born in Brooklyn, NY and at an early age my parents divorced. My mother traveled across the country to Oakland, with 3 kids in tow, in order to start a new life and home.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
We where always raised as creative kids. I was doing pottery, making puppets, and taking black and white photographs with my twin reflex camera and developing them in a dark room, pretty much before I was 10. Cameras have always been a part of my life. Perhaps it was inevitable that growing up with the era Sesame Street, Star Wars and the very first "computer games" on teletypes machines that I would become a visual storyteller. 

Who or what do you most admire?
I admire compassionate people.

What do you love about SF (Bay Area)?
The bay area is a diverse world onto itself. Technology and experimental films thrived here. You're less than an hour away from forests and the Pacific in all directions. It's that mix that creates and inspires people to be both craftsmen (technical and the arts) and engage in deep internal exploration.

What do you fear most for SF (Bay Area)?
Cities evolve and change - that's inevitable. The fear I have would be that we would lose the diverse and artistic elements in the future.

What do you hope for the SF Bay Area in the next 20 years?
My hope is that the SF Bay Area maintains the diversity and opportunity that has made it such an amazing place to this day.
 
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