Interview: Johanna Brooks - Cinematographer
We like to take time to highlight women we see out in the world doing their part to make the world a little nicer. In this Real Nice Lady Spotlight, we’re talking to Johanna Maureen Brooks, cinematographer, about taking chances, making magic, and collaborating with your best friends.
Job Title/Profession
Cinematographer
Favorite Drink?
Old Fashioned
Favorite Food?
Chorizo Fundido
Karaoke Song?
“Magic Man” by Heart
What song are you listening to on repeat right now?
Dua Lipa's “Don't Start Now” gets me up and dancing every time
Female icon you would be for Halloween?
Cher
What first attracted you to your current profession?
I picked up a camera in 5th grade I had found in a drawer. Wanting to capture every moment, I became the person who always had their camera on them. I went to an Art College but I was scared to major in photography, and had no interest in graphic design. Feeling very confused, my best friend actually convinced me to major in filmmaking the day before the first day of our Sophomore year, when we had to decide on a major. Having never made an actual film before, I obviously felt nervous about it but trusted his instinct, and I am so glad that I did. So I give all my thanks to Nicolas Gogan, who showed me and everyone around him our true potential, may he rest in power.
What is your favorite thing about your industry? Your least favorite?
I absolutely love that I have been able to work with so many different individuals from all over the world, on different sets, and a ton of really eclectic projects. I also really love the flexibility of my role because I am not only a Camera Operator. I have been 2nd Camera Assistant, Wardrobe Assistant, Production Coordinator, Casting Director, Art Department, Location Adviser, Production Assistant, and Assistant Director. My "office" is always a new environment, which is exactly what I need. Monotony really kills my soul and I love the spontaneity of it all. The Kansas City industry itself is like family to me. When I walk on set and get to see the pals I work with regularly, it always feels very rewarding.
My least favorite aspect about this industry are obviously the biases that can occur. As we all know, it's very male dominated. As a queer, POC woman myself, I will always push to make each set as inclusive as possible. It's our responsibility and honor as women, people of color, queer, and nonbinary in all industries to do so. There must be more representation.
What do you want for the future of your industry?
Inclusivity.
What keeps you coming back to cinematography and the industry even on your hardest days?
Sometimes I do get off track when it comes to what makes me most happy in life. Some days I question my ability or determination to continue this path… I think that’s a pretty normal thing to do, especially for creatives. But the moment I get to sit back and watch what I have helped create visually makes all the hard days, all of the times I question myself, very worth it. This is what I am good at, what I love to do, the path I choose, and there is only room to grow ahead of me and hone in on my craft. I have more stories to tell, and I shall do just that.
What sort of themes and subjects do you find yourself drawn to?
A continuing subject or theme within my work is the human figure. It has been since college and remains to show itself through and through in my body of work. (Pun intended 😉) I did a lot of performance art in art college (LOL WHO DIDN’T THOUGH?), which I found to be very therapeutic for me and how I felt about my own body in a space. It also taught me how I choose to portray bodies in film.
From everything you’ve worked on, what project stands out to you the most?
I think the project that stands out the most to me is the short I shot for Chakrubs called, “Love Is In The Earth.” You can find it here. It will forever hold a place in my heart for so many reasons. Nicolas Gogan came to me and was like hey, let’s make some cool shit while also making it as inclusive as possible. We had worked with Chakrubs before, and knew we wanted to create something bigger and better. It’s a brand we love and support, and truly believe in. Vanessa Cuccia, the CEO, immediately trusted us and sent us a box of goodies to highlight in the film. I think Nico and I both put our heart and soul into this piece to create something truly magical. But it wasn't just Nico and I. We had an incredibly talented and helpful crew! Local Editor, Ada Brumback, pieced it together seamlessly and composer, Chase The Horseman, did the sound design for it. We also featured pieces by L.A. artist, TACK, as well as K.C. artists Hadley Clark and Katy McRoberts. It was a huge collaboration that turned out wonderfully. It was also the first time I got to work with a bit more sophisticated camera gear, so it was not only a huge learning curve, but an introduction to a more professional cinema world that I hadn’t experienced until then.
Who are some of your favorite cinematographers?
Ohh favorite Cinematographers, okay let’s go. Natasha Braier is incredible. Neon Demon, Honey Boy. Terrence Malick is a pure genius. Roger Deakins is an OG. Rachel Morrison is a true inspiration. She was the first female to ever be nominated for Best Cinematographer at the Oscars in 2018 for Mudbound, and is one of the many powerful women paving a path for inclusion. Reed Morano is also another big one.
What is your creative process like?
Woof, my creative process. It’s a little all over the place but begins with what kind of story do I want to tell and how do we (The Director and Writer) want to tell it. And the how for me strongly pertains to what kind of camera we want to shoot on, which lenses will best fit the mood, WHAT even is the mood going to be? What LUT’s are we going to use, how are we going to light it? What style of shooting do we want? SO many other questions but then from there we can begin with storyboarding. It’s a very collaborative process but also my job to understand all of our options on how to execute the project successfully.
What advice would you give other women trying to succeed in your industry?
Be confident, don't be afraid to be loud and go for what you desire, read AS MUCH as you can, listen to podcasts, and be on set as much as you can. Pay attention to the DP & the Director and how they light. TAKE NOTES. Take chances, write scripts, gather all of your creative friends and make some damn magic. Tell your stories. Ask more questions (constantly telling myself to do the same things.)
What was a formative moment in your life that made you who you are?
I was on set one time as a PA for a reality show from LA and was talking to another PA about how I wanted to become a Director of Photography. The Producer of the show overheard me and said, "I didn't know that. Let's get you on a camera this week!" The next day he had me set up a camera and shoot part of the episode. It was inspiring to feel such support from somebody I wasn't too familiar with and to have the team give me that opportunity. It was a very small part, but it meant a lot to me. Kind people that want to help push others forward mean a lot to me in this industry; not everybody is like that.
When do you feel the strongest in your life? When do you feel the most vulnerable in your life?
I feel strong when I am able to witness the hard work I have put myself through with the finished product of a commercial, short, or whatever it was I worked on. I feel the most strong when I know that I actually shot or directed it, no matter how small or large the project. I feel the most vulnerable when I have to (get to) share that finished product with the world. I used to stand in the very back of the room in college, biting my nails, while showing the rest of the class my work.
Who are five women that inspire you?
Rachel Morrison (first female DP to EVER get nominated for the Oscars, also met her on a set I worked on one time, nbd 😉) My mother of course, a true inspiration and living embodiment of strength... for transforming every hardship she endured growing up into a wonderful life for herself and our family. I will always say Frida Kahlo no matter how cliche it may sound, for being the badass queer feminist artist she was. Alma Har'el is a big inspiration for creating 'Free The Bid', that has now evolved into 'Free the Work.' She is fighting the fight for underrepresented creators, and we need powerful women like her in this industry. I honestly just really love Oprah. I have dreams that we are friends more often than one probably should.