Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Blanco.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m originally from Brooklyn,NY a former NYFA dropout who got my start in Music Videos and did that for about 10 years before I made the transition to films. In 2019 I decided to make the move to South Florida to be there for the birth of my daughter and rebuild my career in Florida. I had a Networking plan and business strategy all set up and then BOOM! the pandemic hit and all my plans went out the window. In 2022 I shot my very first short film “Voicemail”, which garnered a lot of attention online and I got bit by the bug to do more short films, so I shot 3 more short films on my own but I yearned to get on bigger projects where I could really show my Talent. I realized that the market for films just wasn’t there yet in my area, there was no infrastructure. So in 2024 I decided to make the move to Orlando Florida where there were more independent films being made regularly. I knew no one when I moved there so I hit the ground running, Joining every Facebook group I can, applying for gigs on craigslist etc. I stumbled upon the OIF (Organization of Independent Filmmakers) group in Central Florida and started applying for crew jobs on these festival projects. My first year I landed 12 short film projects and got nominated for 5 Awards by just networking and grinding as hard as I can to bring my talent to the forefront. It’s been two years since Ive been in Orlando and I’ve already done over 50 Films projects in that time and positioned myself to become one of the most sought after Cinematographers in Central Florida.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely NOT been smooth. In the beginning it was very frustrated because I knew the talent I had for storytelling and making visual masterpieces, But no one knew who I was so they didn’t believe me. Some people Even thought I was a fake person on Facebook trying to scam people in the film industry. I had to Prove my capabilities onset doing small lighting gigs here and there, but I would show up with all my gear and shock people onset with how much I was able to bring to the table. My positions started growing from there but very slowly. I wanted to be behind the camera and no one would take me seriously because I was good at lighting. Until one person took a shot on me and gave me my first DP job in Orlando and her name was Chase Chellee, I’m forever Grateful to her for giving me a chance to lens her short film “Death of a Jazz Singer” which has garnered multiple Festival wins so far. That film got me on my start to what would become the great Cinematographer I am Today so thank you Chase!!!!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an Award Winning Cinematographer Known for such Projects as the horror “Doll of Deceit”, Action film “Velocity Kings: Retribution” and the upcoming thriller “The Hive” as well as the the upcoming Drama “Starstruck”. I’m most Proud of the team I’ve built over the years who are more like family to me rather than peers. It’s hard to find people that you can work well with and are just fun to be around, especially in the Film industry. The thing that sets me apart from others in my area is simply put – My dedication to a project. I like to be heavily involved in any project I take on which makes me go above and beyond most DP’s in the indie market, whether it be from creating shot lists with the director or creating mood boards for my gaffer so we can put together a lighting bible for a film, Down to doing lens tests to really dial in a look and feel of a film long before anyone ever calls Action!!! I even go as far as bringing in brand sponsorships to bring attention to projects and boost social media excitement for a Film as well as get access to equipment that is usually too expensive for smaller productions to get on their own. I like to give people the Hollywood Experience in the Independent Field.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Nothing Lasts forever. Don’t hold onto things that you should’ve let go a long time ago. Stop trying to hold open a door that GOD is trying to close. Everything happens in his time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrJimmyBlanco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrJimmyBlanco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyBlanco/featured
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14885485/?ref_=nmawd_ov_bk
