Petr Cikhart is an EMMY winning Czech cinematographer living in Los Angeles. As a 19-year-old Assistant Director covered the war in Chechnya for Czech TV, and was arrested and held hostage for two days by Russian soldiers during the assignment. It was his first ever field shoot, and he was hooked.

In June 2012 he received MFA in Cinematography from the American Film Institute. His thesis film FIRST IN FLIGHT competed at Camerimage cinematography festival in Poland and was nominated for the ASC Harris Savides Student Heritage Award. While at AFI Petr won the College Camera Operator of the Year award from the SOC.

Subsequently Petr worked as a cinematographer on several feature films of four continents including World War II drama AGAINST THE SUN starring Tom Felton, TAMARA (Nueva Vision Award, 2017 Santa Barbara Film Festival) with Luis Fernandez, ID2: SHADWELL ARMY for Universal, DUNNING MAN, DAY OF RECKONING, THE NANNY or the Chinese production ESCAPING VALENTINE'S DAY and CONRAD & MICHELLE: IF WORDS COULD KILL for Lifetime.

Traveling to more than 100 countries he also made films such as FARMINGVILLE (Special Jury Prize, 2004 Sundance Film Festival) and BLINDSIGHT (Audience Awards, 2006 AFI Film Festival & 2007 Berlin Film Festival). In 2007 Petr won his first Prime Time Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for his work on the THE AMAZING RACE.

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Lindsay holds an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute and teaches screenwriting at USC's School of Cinematic Arts and Cal State Long Beach. She has overseen two screenplays from script to screen as writer/producer: SPOONER starring Matthew Lillard (SLAMDANCE) and DOUCHEBAG (SUNDANCE) both released theatrically. Most recently, Lindsay sold WITH LOVE, YOUR SWEETLY SALTED. She is currently adapting the book SEX WITH STRANGERS by Micheal Lowenthal for producer Nadia Leonelli and working on an interactive sci-fi rom com with producer Sandeep Parikh and director Sammi Cohen. Lindsay has also developed unique screenwriting courses for USC, Sundance Collab, and the creative executive staff at Disney Animation.

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After Film School Podcast: Listen Here

On the "After Film School" podcast, we delve into essential topics for transitioning from film school to professional life. Our episodes provide practical advice on securing jobs, crafting your career path, and exploring opportunities like post-school film clubs. Tune in for insights into job prospects, strategies for job searching, and guidance on maximizing your potential after graduation.

Dive into the cinematic world of Rasa Partin

The talented director of photography behind Kelley Kali's latest feature films, Kemba (starring Nesta Cooper, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Michelle Hurd) and Jagged Mind (featuring Maisie Richardson-Sellers and Shannon Woodward).

Rasa has an impressive portfolio that includes the critically acclaimed Immaculate Room directed by Mukunda Dewil, the unique single-shot thriller Saviors directed by Christopher Greenslate, and the intriguing TV series Kappa Kappa Die (Warner Bros) directed by Zelda Williams, along with Los Wanabis directed by Santiago Paladines.

Beyond features, Rasa has shot captivating commercials for top brands like Google, Apple, Cartier, Nike, Spotify, and Chanel, showcasing his versatility and creativity across various formats.

With an MFA in Cinematography from the American Film Institute (AFI), Rasa is equipped with top-notch gear, including the Alexa 35 and Alexa Mini LF.

✨ Proud member of IATSE Local 600 | DP, Western Region Roster.

Join us in exploring Rasa's impressive work and passion for storytelling through the lens!

Rasa Partin, Cinematographer, American Film Institute AFI After Film School #28 - DP Kemba

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On the "After Film School" podcast, we delve into essential topics for transitioning from film school to professional life. Our episodes provide practical advice on securing jobs, crafting your career path, and exploring opportunities like post-school film clubs. Tune in for insights into job prospects, strategies for job searching, and guidance on maximizing your potential after graduation.

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Neha Aziz is a Pakistani-born writer, director, film programmer, and podcaster living in Austin, TX. From 2017 to 2020, Neha worked at SXSW as a member of the Communications team. She currently works as the Artistic Director for the Austin Asian American Film Festival, Film Programmer for rePRO and the Cleveland International Film Festival, in addition to being the Communications Manager for the Asian American Documentary Network (A - DOC). In 2021, she was named an iHeartRadio NextUP fellow for their inaugural podcast program; her show, PARTITION (limited series) debuted in August 2022 and has been featured on Apple Podcasts, NPR, The Austin Chronicle, The 19th News, The Austin American - Statesman, The RepresentASIAN Project, Asian Founded, and more. In 2023, Neha was one of five recipients of the WAVE Grant from Wavelength Productions, a grant and one-year mentorship given to first-time female/non-binary directors of color. Her short, SO, THAT HAPPENED marked her directorial debut and is currently on the festival circuit. She is a writer for the PBS Digital Series ROOTS OF RESISTANCE and is in development on a number of projects.

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After Film School Podcast

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On the "After Film School" podcast, we delve into essential topics for transitioning from film school to professional life. Our episodes provide practical advice on securing jobs, crafting your career path, and exploring opportunities like post-school film clubs. Tune in for insights into job prospects, strategies for job searching, and guidance on maximizing your potential after graduation.

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Born in Buenos Aires, Tomás Gómez Bustillo was brought up across Argentina, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the US. After studying Political Science in Buenos Aires, he relocated to LA where he earned his MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute Conservatory. After graduating, he co-founded indie production company Plenty Good. His debut feature film, CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING SAINT, starring Monica Villa, premiered at SXSW 2023 to rave reviews and won the AYH Award for visionary film. It was nominated for 3 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS: Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.

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ELI ARENSON started his career as a war correspondent and photojournalist, and is a graduate of the AFI Conservatory's MFA in Cinematography. His feature film credits include A24's LAMB, Lee Daniels' THE DELIVERANCE, and Ishana Night Shyamalan's THE WATCHERS for Warner Bros and New Line Cinema. Often shooting on 16 and 35mm film, his distinct style has garnered the attention of the leading voices in commercial and fashion. Eli believes in cinematography that is simple and graceful - his visual approach always begins from the minds of the characters. He currently resides in Iceland with his partner and son.

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After Film School Podcast

On the "After Film School" podcast, we delve into essential topics for navigating the transition from film school to professional life. We explore life after film school and discuss opportunities to help you understand the possibilities awaiting you. Our episodes offer practical advice on securing jobs and strategies for crafting your career path after graduation. We also examine post-school film clubs and other avenues for continuing your passion. From maximizing your potential after graduation to evaluating whether film schools are worth the investment, we provide insights into job prospects and offer effective job search strategies. Tune in for comprehensive guidance on planning your future and uncover what comes after film school with career paths and tips to help you successfully chart your path forward.

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Lauren is a Cuban-American cinematographer devoted to world, repertory, and independent cinema. Since graduating from the American Film Institute Conservatory, she has worked throughout the US and internationally. She is a member of IATSE Local 600.

Her credits include MA BELLE, MY BEAUTY, Marion Hill’s debut feature (Sundance, SXSW 2021), ZIWE (Showtime, A24), and NOTED: ALICIA KEYS THE UNTOLD STORIES (YouTube Originals).

She shot IFC Films’ DANDELION on Super 16mm, directed by Nicole Riegel and starring Kiki Layne & Thomas Doherty. The film premiered at SXSW 2024.

Still photography is an essential complementary artistic practice to Lauren’s motion picture work. In 2024, she was one of twelve photographers admitted into FotoFilmic’s travel workshop led by Greg Girard. She is currently editing a series of portraits made under Girard’s guidance in Okinawa, Japan.

Detailed Breakdown:

[00:00] Small Talk and the Current Film Industry

[07:00] Lauren’s background and Educational Background

[10:00] Why Cinematography and Personal Philosophy Behind the Camera

[17:00] Handheld and Camera Operating  

[21:00] Working with Directors

[25:00] Why I Moved To NY

[30:00] At Film School

[57:00] After Film School

[1:12:00] Advice

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www.laurenguiteras.com

IG: @laurenguiteras

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https://youtu.be/cn9ypPVCWT4

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Jessica Pantoja is a Mexican Cinematographer. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Science in Communications and Entrepreneurship, but she decided to pursue a career in filmmaking. She received training in the camera department while working as the only female camera technician in EFD, later earning her the skills to be a camera assistant under-talented Mexican and American Cinematographers. After that, she moved to LA to pursue an education as a Director of Photography. She received her MFA with a specialty in Cinematography at AFI and became a NAUI certified Underwater Cinematographer and Camera Operator. She was recently the director of photography for the comedy "Adult Best Friends," directed by Delaney Buffett, which was an official selection of the 2024 Tribeca Festival.

Jessica's passion for storytelling and nonverbal communication motivates her to work in different fields of filmmaking and photography, pushing her creative boundaries constantly to create unique content every time. Her pool of experience involves short films, feature films, documentaries, commercials, music videos, fashion, and abstract art pieces. Her work has been displayed on many different platforms worldwide, including film festivals such as Camerimage, Krakow film festival, Cine Gear, and VIZIO filmmakers Challenge, to mention a few. Jessica has also collaborated with greater artists and publications such as Vogue, Eone, NYLON Magazine, and Zoe Saldana's Latinx digital news platform, BESE. Though Jessica enjoys diversifying her work pool, her passion lies in documentary filmmaking. She believed that sharing true stories allows people to empathize on another level with the film's subject. This passion leads to collaborations with organizations such as VICE, Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, One Vote at a Time, Home Storytellers, Travel & Leisure, and most recently, Amy Poler's Smart Girls.

Detailed Breakdown:

[00:00] Introduction

[14:10] What brought me to film school

[45:22] Applying to film school

[51:12] After Film School

[1:02:33] Adult Best Friends

[1:24:30] Is film school worth it

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www.jessicapantoja.com


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Related Episodes: 


Martim Vian Cinematographer FAMU / AFI After Film School #021



Ed Wu Director of Photography American Film Institute (AFI) After Film School #014


Keith Nixon Cinematography American Film Institute (AFI) After Film School #004


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Tian Jiao Zi "Selinda" Zhou is a film editor known for her work on "Miller & Son," the P!NK Concert Tour Documentary, and "You Go Girl!". The film "Miller & Son," which she edited, was shortlisted for an Oscar at the 92nd Academy Awards and won the gold medal at the Student Academy Awards. It also garnered the BAFTA Student Film Award, as well as accolades from the Ashland Independent Film Festival and the St. Louis International Film Festival. Additionally, it was nominated for the Grand Prix at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and received the Best Editing Award at the Rome Film Awards. Her films have premiered at prestigious international film festivals such as Sundance, the Cannes Diversity Film Festival, AFI Fest, and SXSW.

Selinda holds an MFA in Film Editing from the American Film Institute and a BA in Culture and Expression, along with a diploma in Digital Media Arts from institutions in Canada. She also earned a piano diploma from The Central Conservatory of Music in China. In 2014, she appeared in the movie "Transformers: Age of Extinction" and performed her new single at the Transformers Gala Appreciation Night, where she also hosted the movie premiere as a bilingual MC. In 2015, she was a finalist on China's Got Talent, the highest-rated show in China, after which she held her first solo concert in North America.

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Host Chris Schwartz

Edited by Selinda Zhou

Produced by Creativity Lives Here ⁠

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Martim grew up in Lisbon, Portugal, where he studied Cinematography at the National Film School Conservatory. He continued his education at FAMU (the Czech National Film School) and AFI, where he completed a Masters in Cinematography. 

He began his professional career as a camera assistant in Portugal, where he worked with cinematographers from around the world. As a Director of Photography Martim has shot a variety of commercials, music videos, short and feature films. His credits include national and international broadcast commercials for clients like AXE, PURINA, SKITTLES, DISNEY, SONY, ENERGIZER or LEVIS, and music-videos for bands such as HAIM, MS MR, BASTILLE, JACKSON BROWNE, to name a few. He recently shot the Netflix TV series VOIR, produced by David Fincher, and the feature film ALONE, TOGETHER, written and directed by Katie Holmes.

He is a member of the Portuguese Society of Cinematography - AIP.

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Host Chris Schwartz

Produced by Creativity Lives Here ⁠

Website: bit.ly/afterfilmschool

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