Show Notes

In Episode #3 of The Wandering DP Podcast we chat to Belgian cinematographer Bjorn Charpentier in the first of this two part interview.

Bjorn is a gifted cienamtographer with a client list including Visa, Coca-Cola, the European Parliament, Nike, Leica and many many more.

In the first part of this interview we hear how he got his start in film making as a clapper loader and how purchasing a RED One just before the 2008 financial crisis helped set him up for success. We go in to detail on how he gets his jobs, how he prepares, what equipment he takes with him, and why gaffers don’t really have much to do on his sets.

Bjorn lays out his style and his techniques for shooting major campaigns and he breaks down his commercial work for Samsonite.

Lighting Diagram

Things You Will Learn in this Episode:

– How Bjorn got his start in cinematography

– Why he loves shooting anamorphic

– Why he likes to own his gear, including an Arri Alexa package and a RED Epic package

– How he works with natural light – What he looks for when scouting locations for these big budget travel projects

Links and Resources Mentioned in this Episode

  1. Bjorn Charpentier’s Website
  2. Samsonite Commercial – Shot by Bjorn
  3. The Rock – Directed by Michael Bay
  4. Elite Anamorphic Lenses – Bjorn’s Personal Choice for Anamorphics
  5. Directors: Norman Bates
  6. Hannibal the TV Show
  7. Music Video – Bjorn’s First Anamorphic Piece

Inspiration Corner

Shane Hurlbut’s Illumination Experience Shane’s Website

Style Uncovered

Bruno Aveillan’s Louis Vutton Commerical

Get More

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8 Responses

  1. Anthony

    Hey Patrick,

    Would you be kind enough to add a new link for the lighting diagram pdf from the Bjorn podcast? I am a fan of the show!

    Thank you,

    Anthony

  2. Pablo

    This is sooo useful for me… can’t wait to listen to the rest of the podcasts. Thanks so much Patrick!

  3. Tristan

    Hi, I just discovered your podcast. It is absolutely amazing and I’m only on episode 3! (I think you’re around episode 40 at this point). Your website is a great compliment to the podcast as well, it’s not just posting some shownote links, but delving even deeper into cinematography topics in a way that is really insightful.

    I was excited to see that you had a lighting diagram available for Bjorn’s Red Cross spot, but it looks like the link is dead now. Any chance of getting that back up?

    Thanks for what you’re doing. As someone who doesn’t live in a city with a thriving film and commercial industry, I am deeply appreciative of the information that you’re sharing here.

    -Tristan

  6. José Terreros

    I don´t remember where did I get this page, but this is what I was looking for!! THANKS!!!!