Billy MacTavish

Background

About Billy MacTavish

I am a professional Director of Photography/Cinematographer/Videographer/Lighting Cameraman and NLE video editor with 30-plus years of work history. Experienced in lighting, shooting and editing documentaries, narrative features, educational media, industrial videos, commercials and online marketing content. I have filmed in every format from 35mm film, very expensive high-end HD digital cameras to DSLRs and 8mm film cameras. My path into the position of Director of Photography is through the electric and grip departments, having worked as both a gaffer and key grip for many years. The most important part of cinematography is good lighting. It has been my experience that many find lighting challenging, and stressful. Because of background, as a gaffer, key grip, and Lighting Cameraman, I have developed the skills that make me extremely versed in multiple techniques and styles. As a former filmmaking professor, I often amazed my students by how uncomplicated, and natural I made the lighting process look. Heedless of my many warnings, their carefree and dismissive attitudes quickly abated once they tried to implement modeled examples in their own assigned set-ups. I am multifaceted, and my knowledge, skills, and abilities have won multiple festival awards. I hold a Masters degree in Multimedia Communications of which I graduated Magna Cum Laude. My Bachelors in Fine Arts with an emphasis in cinematography and editing. I have a pervasive knowledge in all aspects of filmmaking. In addition to cinematography, I am an accomplished NLE editor, having also won multiple festival awards.