Why You’re Not Making Money as a DP: Emmy Winner’s Guide to Fixing It | Ep 004

In this episode of Frame By Frame, host Daniel Mogg sits down with Emmy-winning DP Jason Johnson to uncover the secrets to building a successful career in filmmaking. From transitioning from professional football to becoming an award-winning cinematographer, Jason shares his unique journey and the hard lessons he learned along the way.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Welcome and Jason’s background: From football to filmmaking.
06:09 – Why DPs struggle financially and how to think like a business.
13:00 – Breaking into filmmaking: Lessons from shooting his first documentary.
21:18 – The importance of gaining experience and "hiring your mentors."
36:36 – Balancing passion with paying the bills as a DP.
40:19 – Jason’s top films and storytelling inspiration from Interstellar.
46:07 – Why working for free (at the right time) can open doors.
53:31 – Closing advice: Solving problems on set and staying creative under pressure.

Key Takeaways

🔥 Why many DPs struggle to make a living and how to fix it.
💡 The importance of treating filmmaking as a business.
🎬 How to stand out in a competitive industry.
🚪 Breaking into sports filmmaking and the power of relationships.
📈 Practical advice for scaling your career and making consistent income.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a seasoned pro looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed as a DP.

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