I'm Lucas Chapel, a cinematographer and gaffer native to Seattle, Washington. I've been working in film since 2012, and have been watching movies for a lot longer. Nothing has ever called to me in the way that film has (maybe eating high-quality sushi, but unfortunately that's unpaid). When images on a screen can make people laugh, or cry, or even change their minds about something? That’s what it’s all about.
I'm familiar with a wide range of Sony, Canon, Blackmagic and RED camera packages, but find that especially in this era of competitive sub-$6k cinema cameras it's lighting, composition and movement that really unlock the potential of these tools. Having been in the industry for so long and worked so extensively with lighting, I'm able to bring in my knowledge of not only how to best light a scene to convey the desired mood and draw attention to key elements, but how to do so quickly and with the tools available.
I love color and camera movement, and believe both play key roles in creating interesting, dynamic imagery that not only engages an audience but also moves them. My job as a cinematographer is to translate concepts and words on a page into a visual language that's universally spoken, so understanding how to use these tools to achieve that is paramount.
Working alongside fellow creatives to tell a story is so fulfilling - the marriage of technical, creative and collaborative thinking is something I'll never tire of. I've worked on everything from no-budget short films and music videos to corporate, commercial and feature films, both as gaffer and DP. Capturing the mood of the story and impacting the audience with the visuals is essential - regardless of the budget or subject matter. So let's connect, I'd love to help you bring your vision to life!
