Josh Beck
Director of Photography
The Beginning
What do you get when you cross a farmer with a ballet instructor? A Cinematographer.
Yep, that's me. Nothing like waking up at 6 a.m and dealing with 20,000 head of cattle every day. As my grandfather would say, "That's not the smell of manure, that's the smell of money."
Working on the farm was great but it wasn't my desire or burning passion. At the time, I was fascinated with stop-animation and like most, I created short films with my LEGOs. As the years passed, I got better and better and soon began to make live-action films with my friends. When I was in high school I was known as the "film guy". Don't be too impressed though, I only had a graduating class of 300 students.
During my senior year, a friend and I were able to win $100,000 for our school by competing in the State Farms Drive 2n2 video contest. Then, towards the end of the year, we made a video with local first responders about teens drinking and driving which received 50,000 views on Facebook
After graduating I felt like I was on top of the world. I wanted to go to the next level of film making so I packed my bags, kissed the farm goodbye, and moved to Utah..
The Middle
Moving to Utah was one of the best decisions of my life. A mentor of mine that I had met in high school had invited me to come work on a big motion picture project as a grip. My first thought was, "What's a grip?"
After three months of what felt like boot camp; I think I'm way more qualified to be an eagle scout now, I now understand how a film set operates and how each department works together. Oh, and not to mention how to set up a 40x40 ultra-bounce with a 100 person crew waiting on you.
My first love however has always been behind the camera, but now I have a greater appreciation for all that goes into making the frame look like a piece of art.
The End?
Currently, I am a student at Utah Valley University majoring in Digital Cinema Production. My goal is to become a knowledgeable Director of Photography who has perfected his craft. With my experience working as a grip and by pursuing the Cinematography track at UVU I believe I will be on the right path to achieve that goal.
I hope to one day be apart of the American Society of Cinematographers and to shoot films that will leave lasting impression on others.
School Projects
For the following projects, I worked as the DP and Editor.
School Projects
The Nursery
The Button
How to make the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever || Told by Stop-motion
Other Projects
For the following projects, I worked as the DP and Editor.
Other Projects
Josh Beck's Cinematography Reel || 2021
Dead Man - A Short Film
The Button
Grip & Electric Work
For the following projects, I worked on the Grip & Electric Team
Grip & Electric Work
Conair | It's Ok to Dry
Mosiah–Alma | Official Trailer
Handphone Ransom Call - Studio C
"Dead Man"
Senior Project Plan
Synopsis
After returning from a successful night of trick-or-treating, three friends play their favorite trampoline game DEAD MAN. Little do they know that their chants will soon summon an uninvited guest.
Style
This project will be half stop-animation and half live-action. This is what will make the project unique. The actions of "Dead Man" will be done by using stop-motion while everything else will be live-action.
My Role
As the Cinematographer, I will oversee the overall look, camera movement, and the creation of the stop animation.
Below are samples of the script and storyboard. The video clip is an example of how the Dead Man will "slither" with the use of stop-motion.
Scripts
Dead Man
After returning from a successful night of trick-or-treating, three friends play their favorite trampoline game DEAD MAN. Little do they know that their chants will soon summon an uninvited guest.
The Winter War
Finland 1940. After dealing with the drowning of his father an insecure young man's mother is taken by Soviet Soldiers. Paavo must set out and overcome his fears less he loses the only family member he has left.
Plucked
Nose hairs are the worst! A man finally gets a date with the girl of his dreams but faces the dilemma of his hair-infested nose. It soon becomes a race against time in order for him to be the "perfect" man.
