Behind The Lens: Brandon Eastep
I grew up in Poquoson, Virginia. I now live in Newport News.
What's your creative field?
I’m a cinematographer and editor.
How long have you been shooting?
Roughly 14 years. Not all of that time did I take it seriously. In the beginning it was just running around filming my friends skateboarding. I guess things haven’t changed too much in that aspect but it wasn’t until a few years ago I started really focusing on making something of it.
What inspires you to do what you do everyday?
I’ll start by saying I don’t film or work on edits everyday. There will be times where it’ll be months of not doing anything film related. However there are a lot of things that inspire me. I think about new project ideas all the time. Most of the time it’s driven by something I have read. The main thing that inspires me though is skateboarding. Whenever I’m filming one of my friends I’m always coming up with new ideas of things I want to make. Those ideas usually never make it past me writing the idea though. I have so many story boards and scripts that I haven’t done anything with. Maybe one day I’ll get to them.
Do you have a profession in your creative field?
There are a lot of realities when it comes to a film career. The main one being that the work just isn’t consistent enough. Now if you go and get a full-time job with a production company, you’ll likely be fine. I was freelancing for a production company here in Newport News. We mainly worked on marketing videos and training videos for Riverside Hospital. That gig was pretty cool and I learned a lot in the 8 months I worked for them. I ended up finding a full-time job doing something completely irrelevant to filmmaking but there have been conversations about me taking on a new position where I’d be working on educational content for their clients. (We build computer type time clocks and develop software). That may be a good way to get more experience. As far as leaving the freelance job and getting a regular 9-5, it was a blessing to be honest. I was so drained from editing all day for that company that I didn’t even want to look at a camera in my free time. Now I have a bunch of ideas of things I want to work on and it’s just a matter of finding the time to make them happen. To answer the question, no I no longer have a profession in filmmaking.
Do you think school is beneficial to your progression in filmmaking?
Before I answer the question, let me say that I love Full Sail University. They are great people and all of the instructors I had while I was there were incredibly knowledgeable. Do I think it was worth the $60k I spent for a degree that no production company cares about? Yes and no. I went into it already having a good amount of knowledge. I did my entire degree program online which made it extremely difficult so the knowledge I already had definitely got me through it. I was mainly in it to build relationships with instructors and fellow classmates. Full Sail gets a lot of crap for being a school for profit but I’ll be the first to say that the people I dealt with were incredibly kind. At my graduation back in June one of my instructors was so stoked to meet the 5 of us who made the drive to their campus in Orlando. If I were to go back I’d do it again for sure.
What's your current camera setup up?
I currently shoot with a Sony Fs-700. I love it for the 240fps slow motion.
What would you say to up and coming filmers looking to find a good setup ?
Get whatever you can get and start filming. It’s not the camera, it’s the person using it. I’m in no means a good filmer when it comes to filming skateboarding. I can film interviews and b-roll all day long though. I think getting your hands on a camera and making videos is the best way of doing it. Check out @serwhitey22 on Instagram. The guy films skateboarding incredibly well and puts the edits together even better. He shoots on an iPhone. But if you have some cash and want something pretty good to start with, I’d look at dslr’s or some of these mirrorless cameras that have been coming out. I’d spend more in lenses and audio than the camera though.
I agree, that dude is super dedicated and makes the dopest edits only using an iphone. Super talented
So you're working on a full length skate video, what's your drive for shooting this video ?
I am, it’s called Shore Report and should be premiering next month. I’m still working on setting a date with the venue. This video has been years in the making. It’s been a rough journey, we will film for a couple months then stop for a couple months. It’s been that way since we started. My drive to finish the project comes from watching the edit come together. Thankfully I’m very organized when it comes to storing footage because I wouldn’t have a video if I didn’t. I started the initial edit with over 500 clips. Once I got everything in sequence and could see what the pacing would be like and also how the video would feel overall, I felt very motivated to get it finished. We are going on 2 months late on the scheduled release but it’s coming very soon, the edit is nearly finished.
Who's in it?
There are full parts from Jacob Chapo, Alex Craddock, Isaac Smith, Nathan George, then a shared part from Malcom Davis, David Burleson, and Philip Powell. There are some clips of other people in some of the parts. Also there is a montage with a lot of other people in it too. All in all it’s roughly 33min long.
Are there any other projects you are currently working on ?
I’m currently planning a few projects. Now that Shore Report is coming to an end, I can put my focus on other things. I’m working on a short film for the contest Chocolate skateboards is putting on. I’m working on some ideas for my brand Variant Limited. There’s a lot of things I hope to work on this year.
Are the spots in your video primarily local or did you have to take a trip to get the clips you needed?
Primarily the Richmond area. Some DC footage, NC, a few clips from when I went to LA.
Do you shoot music videos?
I want to. I just want to shoot the right type of music video. I get asked all the time if I can shoot a rap video. I’m not opposed to it, I just don’t have the time unless I’m being paid well to do it. I’ve been really wanting to shoot a music video where it’s more of a concept video. I have some ideas for a few short films and want to make them music videos somehow. So if you want to work together, hit me up..
Are there any shouts out you would like to give?
If you are not familiar with Lane Maloney/Dinnerbread Skateboarding, go check him out. We went to high school together and I try and contribute footage to his videos when he makes them. He just recently came out with a second full length video that was incredible. The guy has so much talent. I’ve been learning a lot by watching how he will put edits together. It’s simple things that you wouldn’t really think about.
One last thing…
I’ll leak some top secret information that I’m currently working on the new skatepark design for Mekos Skatepark. Wish I could say where it’s going to be but that information should be out very soon.
Website: www.brandoneastep.com
Instagram: @Brandoneastepofficial
Thanks for your time man. Everyone check out his website and also make sure to check out the "Shore Report" Video, which is available now via digital download and physical copies as well.
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