"Go West Young Man" - Dave Perry

Local 600 Director of Photography - Dave Perry I’ve been a creative professional my entire working life. But in 2003 I decided to switch careers from web development to video production. My job as a corporate web developer had ended. One of my duties in that position was to produce product demo and training videos. I had also been working with a regional band, documenting their tour. Raising a family, I still needed steady income so I found a job at a local production company. It was part time at first because I was the company’s first official employee. After about 6 months I was given full time status. That job was seminal in my development as a filmmaker. I worked my way through all of the departments working as a PA, Grip, Gaffer, Production Coordinator, AC, Camera Op, and all phases of post-production. I learned the importance of lighting and the attention to detail that goes into it. To this day when lighting a set, I still ask myself how would my old boss do it.

Things change and we all want to move forward, so at just shy of 10 years with that company, I decided to start my own production company. Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC was born on May 24, 2013.

Local 600 Director of Photography. I set specific goals when I launched. One of them was to become a Director of Photography in the film industry. I brought in a skilled young editor to pick up the post production load so I could focus more (pun intended) on operating and directing photography. Another goal was to join The International Cinematographers Guild, IATSE Union Local 600. In April 2019, 6 years into my own gig, that dream became a reality, as I was accepted as a Director of Photography.

Dave Perry - Local 600 Director of Photography During this time, I’d been making a lot of professional and personal connections in Los Angeles as well as landing a few jobs. I also have family ties with Southern California. With that in mind, as well as the Union-friendly position of California, I’ve decided to expand my presence into Los Angeles in early 2020.

What does that mean?

What it means is that I will be maintaining both a residence in Los Angeles and a business in Virginia. My post production suite in Roanoke Virginia will continue to operate, and production will continue with myself and a group of select camera operators. My day to day hustle will be in California, where I’ll continue on the path I set out on in 2013.

My heart is full…I would not be in this position if not for the many people who have helped me personally and professionally. My gratitude is immense and hope is my guide along this path. The blessings in my life are those that I wish for all, love from friends and family, peace in my heart, hope for the future, and faith that it will happen.

I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with you and the new friends and colleagues I’m gonna make along the way.

Thanks, dp