Welcome Isabel, please introduce yourself and tell us when your interest in cameras began.

Hi! I'm Isabel Armstrong and currently I am primarily a 2nd Camera Assistant, but I also shoot digital and film pictures and video on the side to express myself creatively. I went to MAPS Film School in 2020 and have since been freelancing in the camera department. I have worked on Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance and Monolith, both as 2^nd AC. My goal is to become a DP and shoot primarily on film.

Photography had always interested me, but it wasn't until I started giving it a go when I was 16 that I realised that I couldn't live without a camera. It kind of all came together that this is what I was meant to do. I went to MAPS Film School in 2020 and started getting more confident in video since that was what I found most interesting and have since been AC'ing and learning from many talented DP’s about their perspectives on shooting.
 
Who do you look up to in the industry, do you have any mentors?



The Adelaide industry is full of so many lovely people and I'm so lucky to have worked with many of them. I really look up to Michael Tessari, who I'm lucky enough to be able to call a mentor. I've worked with him on multiple projects (including Gymnastics Academy and Monolith - some Monolith crew pictured), and he's taken me under his wing and I've learnt a lot from him about the industry and shooting both digital and film. David Gregan has also helped me since I was at MAPS and I've got him to thank for a lot of helpful advice and opportunities!

And how have you been accepted on set as a young female, do you get support from other women in the industry?
Well, my answer for that would be, I've definitely been accepted on set as a young female, but I was nervous going into an industry that was so male dominated. I've had a couple of annoying experiences, but I was able to get support from people I've worked with and there are so many awesome non-males on set that I've been able to learn from. Of course I'd love to see a more even balance, but I know it's getting better and I've mostly had good experiences so far.

What’s your proudest moment so far?

My proudest moment so far would definitely be making it through my first long form jobs, Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance. It was a huge learning curve going from corporates and shorts to 12 weeks of long form with 2 cameras. It was a hugely overwhelming undertaking doing the 2nd AC role for 2 cameras, but it taught me to move on if I made a mistake and to keep persisting and believe in myself that I could get through it. I'm so grateful for all of the things that the camera department taught me on that shoot and for their friendship and banter.

What’s your favourite film or TV show?

Choosing one favourite film is really tough - my top 3 would include Inception, Requiem for a Dream, and Good Time. Requiem for a Dream and Good Time have some of my favourite shooting styles; they're both erratic and fast paced to match the story. But then Inception is more slowly paced in terms of shot style but really plays into the practical effects of the set and how the camerawork moves with the actors. I love these movies for multitudes of reasons but Requiem for a Dream was a "dream" to me stylistically!

Thank you Isabel, good luck with the rest of your career.

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