NEER Artist Dillon Schneider on ASC Mentorship and Fatherhood

American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is the top tier talent of our craft. They offer the ASC mentorship to help up and coming cinematographers. It is humbling to be recognized as someone possibly skilled enough to be mentored by them.

I hold mentorship in any field with high regard. In the film industry, or any industry that is a craft - mentorship is so important. Because, you cannot buy experience.  

I know that to be able to have Kramer Morgenthau as a mentor will open new perspectives in terms of the art of cinematography.  But, I hope this translates into a life mentorship too. I would like to establish a relationship that goes beyond the cinematography work. There are many other aspects of this lifestyle that get overlooked. 

I am a new father. And this industry is hard on families. With long hours and projects that take you away for many weeks, cinematographers often forget to put time and effort into family. Like, if I get a job that is going to take me away for four weeks… My wife works full time. We have a one year old son. It’s hard, and it’s a big decision.  Many other cinematographers get divorced or struggle through these situations. So it is nice to see successful cinematographers who can do both.

As I grow in my career and step onto bigger sets and budgets - I have questions. Things like: How big to go with lighting setups? What to do in situations where you don’t have enough time?  So it’s so valuable to be in touch with someone who has been there, and can maybe confirm my intuition about it all.

Moreover, joining the ASC has been a career goal for a very long time. It is a badge of honor and achievement in the motion picture camera world. I have always looked up to ASC people in general - but one of them has been my biggest cinematography hero. Vilmos Sigmund (1930-2016) was a member of the ASC. His philosophy on the art is incredible. He calls it “poetic realism.” He makes images better than life and I have adapted that philosophy into everything I shoot. It has stayed with me forever. I try to spice up my work to make it more beautiful. Because, that is the magic and power of cinema. It is emotional.

I appreciate the ASC for doing a program like this, where 40 years of experience is downloaded to me. It is a privilege.

I look forward to giving back in the same way, some day.