Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Gordon.
Hi Cameron, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Before I got into Cinematography I originally was planning on being a stop motion animator. As a kid (and still today) I was heavily influenced by comic books, movies, anime, music videos, and was also really into collecting action figures. I wanted to create my own versions of these pre existing stories and discovered stop motion animation when I searched “transformers action figures fighting” on you tube. From around 6/7th grade to 12th grade I was seriously pursuing stop motion and honing my craft. In 12th grade I made my final full length stop motion project. I knew I wanted to get into camera stuff in live action filmmaking but didn’t really know how to do so. Through a friend of my mother I found out about Loyola University New Orleans and began my film journey.
I spent two years at Loyola before I dropped out. While I was there I spent a lot of time outside of class shooting music videos and working my way onto film sets. I felt like my level of drive was not appreciated by my film professors and often felt like I was being punished for taking the initiative to get work on my own. On top of this I felt the film program was severely lacking and wasn’t adequately preparing me for the industry. I spent 3 months of my sophomore spring semester working on a super bowl commercial and once that was finished I decided to drop out of school. After 2022 I moved back to Houston for 2 years. During this time even though I was working on cool stuff with amazing people, I felt like I was stagnant and just going through the motions. This inspired my move to Austin. I felt I needed somewhat of clean slate and a mindset shift. In Houston I was to antisocial and didn’t really engage with the film community and unintentionally isolated myself. I also was complacent and wasn’t taking action to control my own destiny in this industry. So I wanted that to change.
I moved to Austin in January 2025 and immediately got to work. I worked on my first short film in Austin the first week of January, got accepted into the AFS creative careers program in March, and fostered so many new friendships. I did everything I set out to do and I feel that my career and personal life is better because of that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
2023 was pretty rough for me. In 2022 I was booked and busy making good money. Due to my lack of experience and my own hubris I believed things would always be this smooth. In 2023 the strikes happened and affected me way more than I thought they would. I wasn’t prepared for the slow months that come in this industry and didn’t have much saved up to support myself during those times. I also underestimated how long it’d take to establish myself in a new city. I made a lot of mistakes that year that led to me hitting rock bottom without a clear way of getting out. But I learned a lot from those experiences and was able to slowly pull myself back together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in the film industry as a cinematographer. I don’t think I specialize in anything currently but I mostly shoot music videos, documentaries, and narrative projects. The project I am most proud right now is the short film Amerikan Boy (Dir. by Tobe Mokolo). It’s my best narrative by far, extremely proud of what me and the rest of the team were able to create. It has received high praise through private screenings across the U.S. and has just recently entered the film festival circuit.
Some runner ups are the Heavy music video by Lanell Grant, BMF by AJ McQueen, and Urgent C by young senju. Those are my favorite music videos I’ve shot to date.
I am also very proud of my first documentary as a cinematographer: Stories from a One Room School. Which has one an award at Denton Black Film Festival and is currently lined up to screen at New Orleans Film Festival.
I think what sets me apart from others is my insane work ethic. I do my best not to allow anything to get in the way of my career. I don’t let location be an obstacle for me. I’ve driven 10-20 hours for work before fronting my own travel and lodging/sleeping in my car just for the opportunity to show my talents to new people. I work below my typical day rate (to a fault sometimes) in order to gain more experience and work on things I that’s out of my normal wheelhouse. Because I have no plan b I have to make sure no stone is left unturned in order reach my goals.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think just being yourself is the best practice for these kinds of things. My mentor gravitated towards on to me because of the respect he had for my drive and wanted to help me succeed. It’s important to have good discernment because not everyone has your best interest. A lot of times when you’re doing well people will try latch onto you and use you for their own personal gain. Not every opportunity is a good opportunity.
I think it’s important when networking to remember that the folks you’re reaching out or trying to work with are human beings who don’t know you. It shouldn’t always be what can this person do for me. It’s good to create a neutral playing ground where you and another individual can truly get to know each other instead of just leading with what can I get out of this person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gordon-pictures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camxgordon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cameron.gordon.777701/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-gordon-6664741b9/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@camerongordon4870?si=Phj6guCephVH7FvT
