054 - Tom Chaves – From Gaffer to DP & The Future of Cinematography

On this episode of The Film Situation, we sit down with gaffer-turned-DP Tom Chaves to discuss his 15-year journey in the industry, the challenges of transitioning from lighting to camera, and the harsh realities of being pigeonholed in the film business. Tom shares insights on AI’s growing impact on cinematography, the evolving landscape of indie filmmaking, and his own experiences working on everything from music videos to micro-budget features to high-end commercial gigs.

We also dive into his deep love for cinema and discuss scenes from the Brazilian film CITY OF GOD and Tony Kaye's AMERICAN HISTORY X.

Hosted by Zef Cota