Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Schilling.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Born 11/11/1977. I grew up the youngest, with two older sisters, in Moline, Illinois, right along the Mississippi River. I had a paper route and mowed yards at age 10, I read a lot of comics and watched a lot of sci-fi and action movies. At age 12 I bought a video camera, and a photo camera at 16. Also, at 16 I started taking the martial art, Kuk Sool Won, in which received my Black Belt.
I was in the National Art Honor Society in High School. Graduated early and went to community college, where I took a lot of literature, art, and philosophy classes. I wasn’t doing so well, so I enlisted in the Army, with a Ranger contract. The Army and I didn’t work out so well.
I was in a funk then, with nothing to lose. I thought, “What is my dream job?”
“Making movies!” I answered.
So, after 4 years, I finished community college and applied to the Cinema program at Southern Illinois University. I was 21 when I started university, and got a part time job at B&L Photo. It was fantastic, between my school and my job, I was completely immersed in photography and filmmaking. I learned how to edit 16mm film & how to use Final Cut Pro. I was in school at the perfect time (2000-2003) to learn the budding craft of digital filmmaking I spent another 4 years at SIU. I received my BFA in Cinema & Photography and Minor in Fine Art.
At this point, I packed up my cameras and computer and moved to Los Angeles. I got a job during the week as the vault coordinator at a commercial production company. When a new commercial was produced, I would digitize from the master Beta tape, and archive it. These were then used on reels, when bidding on new jobs.
At the same time, I got a job on the weekends as a Production Assistant for a reality TV show. I eventually went full time on the show, as I realized I enjoy the energy of being on location & set, much more than being in an office. After the TV show wrapped, I was invited to help remove the lighting from the house we filmed in.
The Chief Lighting Technician (Gaffer), Damon, taught me all the basics about studio electricity. After that job, I was able to take on jobs doing lighting. I got in with a crew, and worked on super fun projects. A few B-grade horror films as well as some ESPN spots, where I met Snoop Dogg and Lance Armstrong. (The first celebrities I’d ever met).
I lived in LA for about 2 years and did anything to be near any kind of camera. I’d work as a Camera Operator or Gaffer for small projects, photographer for local business, Production Assistant on big Hollywood films, photo assistant for photographers. I met a Chicago commercial photographer named Paul Elledge while he was on a job in LA. He was in need of a new full time assistant. After his job, I sent him a letter next day mail, expressing my interest in the job. Knowing my background was in cinema he asked me why I want to work for a photographer.
“They are both light, lines, and storytelling,” I said. He flew me to Chicago for a two-week trial. We clicked, and I packed up in LA to move back to my home state of Illinois.
I worked for Paul from 2006 to the end of 2009, this is what I consider my Grad School or Apprenticeship. It was hard work, physically and emotionally demanding. Paul is very good at what he does, and I learned so much while working with him. Producing a job, how to direct people, the details of planning a shoot, estimating job, lots of philosophy…plus the very important, how to make a dynamic photograph.
Some very important things happened during that time. The economy bottomed out in 2008, so I was thankfully not a freelancer at that point. Also, digital overtook film as the primary method of capture for commercial work. Also the DSLR cameras, started shooting video. So when I left there in late 2009, I felt I was ready for anything.
I started Schilling Film on December 31, 2009. At first I was primarily freelancing as a Digital Technician. When a photographer shoots tethered to a computer, then I would be at the computer to check exposure, focus, & aesthetics; as well as keep the data organized and backed-up. I did not take long, that I started to get calls here and there from connections I’d make at my previous job, they were looking for a cinematographer! I started shooting motion jobs and photo jobs whenever I could. In 2014, I was getting enough jobs as a shooter, so I took the risky move of stopping DIT work. This way I was always available for shooting jobs.
Since 2014, I’ve either been Directing, Cinematographer, or Photographer. Most of what I work on is long form commercials or social media content for national brands. Last year I did cinematography for a documentary about the Wax Trax! music label http://www.waxtraxfilms.com/ I’ve also shot a horror short and a few music videos. I keep busy with lots of personal projects and my two sons, 4 & 6.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In my industry, there is a lot of research and keeping up with technology. It is important to keep up with trends and at least know what is possible, if not knowing the technical parts. It is also imperative to create new personal work and evolve your style.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Schilling Film – what should we know?
I formed the company Schilling Film, to run my freelance jobs through. I have close ties with the Chicago-based production company Odd Machine, and often work freelance for agencies, other production companies, and often direct hire from companies.
Most of my jobs are filmmaking, although I am a photographer as well. I am known for an intimate, dynamic, high-energy style of shooting. I like my images to be a little bit edge/dark, and I’m very good at balancing that with being commercially viable. I am very physical when I shoot, looking for the point of view that is overlooked and super exciting. I’ll climb on top of, go under, though, or get drenched to get an awesome shot. I am very proud of my versatility, my schooling and entry to the industry was at the perfect time that I understand the old ways and the new ways of doing things. I am different from others because I am equally comfortable Directing on a motion or still job.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Of course my parents…gave me plenty of room to be an entrepreneur from an early age. Jeremy Welvaert, is my oldest friend. We watched action movies, read comics, made art & short films from a very early age. Our creative lazy days of summer are what inspired me to pursue a career in the arts.
Master Paul Garza & Master Jan Butler taught me the martial art of Kuk Sool, which had a profound impact on my life. Chris Boyum and I had a healthy competition in class that helped us both get the most of it.
My friend Joseph Fitzgerald, who I attended university with, got a job in LA first, and was able to help me get into my first production job in LA.
My partner Kristy Schilling, gives me the room to experiment and take risks with my business. She has a background in the arts, and used to work for ad agencies. She gets what I do and need, and is my primary sounding board for ideas.
My Commercial Photography mentor Paul Elledge & Leasha Overturf, taught me so much about running a studio, a production, and a successful creative business.
Seth Henrikson is a filmmaker who is a founding partner at Odd Machine (oddmachine.com). I interned with him when I was in school, and kept in touch. He is someone who I have a lot of respect for, and in some ways model myself after.
Ben Rodig, who is a great friend and a partner in business, is a paramount in pushing and expanding skill sets and creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: schillingfilm.com
- Phone: 773-486-0251
- Email: brian@schillingfilm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schillingfilm/ https://www.instagram.com/mxschilling/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarportrait/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schillingfilm
- Other: https://vimeo.com/schillingfilm
Image Credit:
©Copyright 2018 Brian Schilling
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