Lighting effect and approaching professionals for work experience?

[Andrew Carter]

Hi

Is there anyone who may offer some advise on two areas.

I want to see if i can work with some professional lighting camera men (non paid/assisting them, see how they do there job?).
Is there a specific way I should try and approach them. I was thinking of writing a letter, telling them of my influences (art/films) etc?

Two, a critque on the lighting on the Kings of Leon video below. It is the nearest thing I can find to what I want my video lighting to look like. Is there anything I should be looking out for?

I'm interested in achieving this lighting affect for my first production.

Kings of Leon-Sex on fire Video
YouTube - Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire


Thank you if you can help.

Andrew

[Charles Papert]

Andrew:

I got my first exposure to the "bigtime" by approaching established cameramen and hanging out or helping them out on jobs. Likewise I have returned the favor to a number of up-and-comers over the years.

The best I can tell you is that you should demonstrate enthusiasm, interest, friendliness and humility. Research and become familiar with their work, just about everyone likes answering questions about their own accomplishments and it demonstrates that you had a specific reason to approach them rather than just going after whoever will have you. Most people worked their way up and learned their craft slowly and surely, so they are looking for this in an apprentice--unfortunately these days many new to filmmaking are impatient about this process and want to rush through this (or simple ignore it). Be attentive and listen to what they have to say.

Unfortunately I have heard many stories from the UK that make it sound like people in the industry there are somewhat dismissive of newcomers, so perhaps you will have an uphill time of it. I'd like to think this is the exception rather than the rule...