Cinematography in Canada Since 1957

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Thank you for this incredible opportunity, especially during Global Filipino Heritage Month. Great to be seen.

It has been a pleasure to host the CSC Instagram page. I’m deeply honoured, even as I grapple with feelings of imposter syndrome. Despite my years, I often wonder if I’ve made enough progress.

However, taking on the role of host gave me time to reflect on my journey. As an American Filipino, born to immigrant parents who went into the US Military. My travels with them growing up left me feeling somewhat lost, even more so after their death in 2009, which distanced me further from my Filipino roots.

Finding my way into this industry has been a lifting experience. I cherish the collaboration and sense of family among an amazing group of individuals. It’s been a joy to connect with more BIPOC and Filipino crews and collaborators, something that took me 15 years to find across multiple states before I finally settled in Toronto, Canada.

The photos I have shared here are some behind-the-scenes and me smiling from projects where I had the honor of serving as the Director of Photography. I cannot thank enough the producers and directors for entrusting me with their visions and allowing me to bring those to visual life.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the crews who have supported me along the way. I am grateful for each of you who have listened and allowed me to guide you in the project’s vision.

Once again, I can’t express enough how much I appreciate this opportunity. I look forward to connecting with all of you at some point in time who have engaged with my story in this industry.

Thank you for your time!

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #perspective #openmind #visual #creators #justmakeithappen #culture #pinoys #connection #love #BIPOC #peopleofcolor #DirectorofPhotography

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Embracing My Culture

Throughout my 20 years in the industry, I’ve encountered very few Filipinos and additionally had not had opportunities to work on projects that reflect my cultural background until now. Filming stories drawn from life experiences creates a very deep rooted connection, especially when those narratives resonate with my own upbringing.

When I met this particular Pinoy director, even before diving hard into the project, we immediately connected as fellow Filipinos. This cultural bond fostered a sense of respect and alignment throughout the project’s process.

We decided to push boundaries and take on new challenges, including working with a new camera system and adapting our vision to a set that lacked some expected components. Even with the typical indie project in combination with a limited budget, the entire team came together to craft a story that was both deeply connected and visually compelling.

Personally, I had felt disconnected from my culture for a long time, almost forgetting the roots of my heritage that I loss when my parents left this world in 2009.

Serving as the Director of Photography on this project reignited my passion, my connection to my Filipino background and inspired me to seek out more opportunities that celebrate my culture.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #perspective #openmind #visual #creators #justmakeithappen #culture #pinoys #connection #love #BIPOC #peopleofcolor #directorofphotography

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Beauty in Art

Working in the visual arts has been very rewarding for my creative soul. Throughout my journey, I have encountered moments and projects that allow me to expand my vision and passion into a broader realm of creativity.

One such experience involved collaborating with a talented theatrical director who sought to bring a story and imagery to screen. It was a joy to work with someone whose perspective on creativity and visual arts differ quite a lot from my own. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my background started in broadcasting, and later focused toward a more narrative approach as a cinematographer, which has deepened my understanding of why we create our imagery.

This project not only challenged me visually but also opened my mind to the director’s unique historical perspective. It tells the tragic story of a soldier who acted on his hidden love for another man, ultimately being hung for his action and desire.

The images we created were not only beautiful; they represented a history that deserves to be acknowledged rather than concealed.

Visual Art, in all its forms, is truly a powerful and beautiful force that brings much needed untold stories the attention they deserve.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #perspective #timed #challenges #adversity #success #BIPOC #peopleofcolor #pushingtheboundary #movingtheneedle #openmind #visual #creators #justmakeithappen

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Directors who encourage us to explore visually without limits are truly inspiring.

While every director has a vision in mind, it’s our role as cinematographers to seek out the right balance between that vision and the story we’re telling. Often, this involves multiple discussions, pre-meetings and vision board reviews before arriving at a visual style that resonates with both the director and the director of photography. However, there are moments when you encounter a director itching to push those boundaries.

In these frames, these directors, yup co-direction, aimed to delve into darkness, embracing hard contrasts and crafting a period-driven piece with dynamic action; components that immediately captured my interest.

We were fortunate to collaborate with many contributors on this project. From our camera and lighting package to set design and wardrobe, many talented individuals and rental houses contributed to bringing the project’s vision to life.

I’m quite pleased with the final outcome, but I constantly reflect on each project to identify areas for personal visual improvement. As any project, we faced challenges, such as those wonderful mirror boards or the in-house lighting fear of causing flicker (thankfully, everything was clear) or adapting when one of our principal actors whom fell ill and needed to be replaced on short notice. Thankfully the overall team was flexible and resilient, capturing those crucial moments that translate beautifully to the sensor, from performance to vision.

Throughout my career, I cherish and thank the opportunities to collaborate with directors, writers, and creatives who encourage the push in the overall visual boundaries of my own craft.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #perspective #timed #challenges #adversity #success #BIPOC #peopleofcolor #pushingtheboundary #movingtheneedle #openmind #visual #creators #justmakeithappen

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Stack Your Skills and Test Yourself

Our skills grow each year. Yet, I hear, “I don’t do that”, “I used to, but a waste of time” or “No skills are involved”. But, I beg to differ.

I love participating in timed film events, creating a film in 24/48 hours, or a feature in a weeks. These challenges are not just filming, but writing, filming and editing within tight deadlines.

5-7 years into my career I felt the need for a scripted narrative approach and sought advice from someone whose work I admired. When I asked how they reached their level, they simply replied, “Practice. Keep doing it and do it often.”

My journey started at broadcast school in TX. In the following yrs, I was focused on editing, lighting and video capture from sports, live events, runway, award galas, town halls, in-studio productions and live-tv. Though 8-10 years, I hadn’t really dived into the more creative scripted narratives.

These timed film projects were my only glimpses into that world. Each yr, I took the skills I developed in broadcasting and incorporated them into my creative endeavors.

A decade since I first engaged in timed film projects in various cities, I found myself in Toronto, a very vibrant hub for narrative creativity. There, my crew and I won Best Cinematography. I felt both honored and humbled by the award committee. I do recognize this was still just a step forward, a skill added to my growth, and I still needed to maintain my momentum.

So, if you dismiss any experiences as “a waste of time,” I encourage you to shift your mindset. Ask yourself, “What did I learn?” and apply those bits of learning into your next few projects and repeat. Even in the most challenging, your not good enough or discouraging situations you encounter (and you will), reflect on your experiences and take any learnings to guide your next steps in your creative visual journey.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #timed #challenges #adversity #success #BIPOC #justmakeithappen

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Blending a bit of Old with the New

These days, many cinematographers seamlessly mix film and digital media. However, finding ways to utilize equipment deliberately that respects a project’s internal era can be even more creatively rewarding.

The frames I’m sharing here are a perfect example of this approach. I’ve often read about how DPs use period-appropriate lighting and technology to tell their story. Here we decided to take it a into a space that incorporates 80s camera technology from that time. For context, we’re referencing the era when Jane Fonda was a workout instructor icon in the 1980s.

We leaned into that nostalgic world, aiming to evoke the feel of 80s prosumer tape-based cameras, while also integrating modern sensors to showcase the real world. It was a fantastic project, with vibrant locations and a talented cast that brought everything together beautifully. Sure we could have done it digitally, but that raw in camera feel just helps really sell the vision.

Additionally, this was a my first pilot style shoot for an episodic pitch project. Being the initial DP has been a creatively liberating and rewarding experience—like filming a long short film. If the project moves forward, my initial vision and techniques will be considered by fellow DPs, which is an exciting prospect as we await the green light.

Starting a pilot to an episodic series has been a blast, and I look forward to more opportunities to explore this side of the industry.

#csc #CanadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #episodic #nostalgic #80s #perspective #tone #mood #color #justmakeithappen

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Finding meaning within colour has become essential in my work. Many of us recognize that colours evoke different feelings and moods. They guide our perceptions, influencing how we view food, whether it appears appetizing or unappealing, and reflecting emotions, from happiness to melancholy. For me colours are vital in the creative process, and I thrive when collaborating with directors and writers who appreciate this move.

For this particular project, I worked with a director and a writer who shared a vibrant vision. We tapped into a moment in history to a 1970s bar atmosphere, embracing the era’s bluesy vibe and enjoying the freedom to experiment with color.

In our discussions about color in the frames, we explored how hues impacted character emotions. For instance, when a character entered a green light evoked feelings of discomfort and ugliness, while purples conveyed a sense of control with some laid-back vibes. Red, on the other hand, signified anger and frustration, intertwined with tough love.

I continuously strive to deepen my understanding of color in my work, hoping to incorporate even more thoughtful elements into future projects that will enhance colour’s role in creating impactful and thought-provoking visuals.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #period #vintage #70s #perspective #tone #mood #color #justmakeithappen

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Trust in your production design team. Many people view cinematography as merely the movement of the camera and the manipulation of light to create stunning visuals. However, I believe it holds more value than just those two parameters. As a director of photography, I believe our role extends beyond just capturing beautiful imagery; it involves shaping the audience’s perception through carefully placed elements that enhance the tone and mood of each scene.

In this project, we leaned into inspirations from the Edwardian period. The director and I collaborated closely with our production designer to incorporate authentic elements from that era, ensuring that our representation of the environment resonated with the audience. We found a period appropriate historic home, period-appropriate paintings, and clothing, and even tracked down a vintage newspaper article, which we had printed by a local shop to match the aesthetic.

One area I wish I could have explored further is the use of vintage glass and older fixtures to achieve a broader spectrum of light. Unfortunately, budget and time constraints limited our options.

Period pieces like this ignite my creative passion, allowing me to explore the unique lighting and color palettes that defined characters and settings. I look forward to discovering more scripts that invite me to dive deep into these details, collaborating with a talented production design team to bring rich historical visions to life.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #period #vintage #edwardian #perspective #crewmembers #teamwork #justmakeithappen