Meet Cinematographer Thomas Revington: “Story Comes First”
Meet Cinematographer Thomas Revington: “Story Comes First”

Meet Cinematographer Thomas Revington: “Story Comes First”

2023-05-05
4 mins read

“Story Comes First” is the main mantra of cinematographer Thomas Revington. Thomas believes that camera gear is not everything, and a solid concept, collaborative crew, and understanding of the director, are much more important factors. Explore Thomas’ insights below.

Cinematographer Thomas Revington
Cinematographer Thomas Revington

DP Thomas Revington

Tom Revington is a director of photography who believes in a true passion for capturing stories through a lens. With a vast experience and hundreds of projects, his portfolio spans commercials, music videos, features, and TV, including brands and institutions such as Meta, NOWNESS, Adidas, Johnnie Walker, Coca-Cola, the BBC, and more. Check out his latest campaign for Meta:

Thomas has approached YMCinema with a will of sharing knowledge and educating the new generation of DPs. Here are his insights:

Once you shoot, projects lead to other projects. Finding directors you like working with is key.

The formulation of filmmaking

What I love about filmmaking is that every project is different. I find experience informs the best approach to a problem, but it should never become a ‘recipe’ so to speak. And if the process does become formulaic, then it’s a good sign that you’re not pushing creatively enough. That or maybe I just have a short attention span! Generally speaking, I prepare as much as possible, for example on commercials I cut animatics together to time shots and get a sense of rhythm and timing. Often we plan elaborate shots, but once you see what needs to fit in a 60″ then it becomes easier to distill the most important storytelling beats and craft an effective and emotive project.

Cinematographer Thomas Revington
Cinematographer Thomas Revington

What I love about filmmaking is that every project is different…If the process does become formulaic, then it’s a good sign that you’re not pushing creatively enough.

Understanding the director

I also love sending the director a cinematography treatment with as many references as possible, because one mental image may differ from the other. I find a wide range of references helps, especially as sometimes the more helpful references can be what we don’t want something to look like. It’s a way to better understand the director. I also often find that hearing the music they have in mind, even if it’s a music reference, helps communicate the mood and tone effectively. 

Cinematographer Thomas Revington
Cinematographer Thomas Revington

I also often find that hearing the music they have in mind, even if it’s a music reference, helps communicate the mood and tone effectively.

The importance of the crew

Also, a good crew is everything. We rely on our crew so much to execute the ideas we have. I have such immense respect for our crews and it’s important to have their back. How can you expect them to have your back and go the extra mile if you can’t do the same for them? The best advice I ever got was to trust your gut and follow your creative instinct, making sure the choices you’re making are for the best of the project and not egotistical. Rick Rubin sums it up: “In a collaboration, if the best idea gets picked, you win, regardless of whose idea it is”. 

Cinematographer Thomas Revington
Cinematographer Thomas Revington

Rick Rubin sums it up: ‘In a collaboration, if the best idea gets picked, you win, regardless of whose idea it is’.

Gear is just a tool

In terms of technology, it does move quickly these days so staying on top of the tools is important. But at the same time, we should also remember that they are tools. Gear is a means to bring the idea to life and for the story to be told. Personally, I feel that a good story or good idea with ok gear is still more effective than a weak idea with good gear. There are so many options out there to choose from these days, but the most important part is always testing gear for a project. Test test and test again.

Cinematographer Thomas Revington
Cinematographer Thomas Revington

Gear is a means to bring the idea to life and for the story to be told. Personally, I feel that a good story or good idea with ok gear is still more effective than a weak idea with good gear.

Color grading and creative intentions

I think it’s important to understand what the 0 and 1’s are doing in the digital world and how to manipulate that. How certain cameras respond to certain scenes to learn the strengths and weaknesses. Implementing this in a workflow is important too, as well as having a good relationship with your DIT or colourist. I work directly with them to always make sure I have the LUT or Look that is applied to the dailies, so when the project is being edited it is done with that aesthetic intention. It is so important to do this, as with log and raw the creative intention can be totally misinterpreted and changed down the line, which can be disheartening.

Cinematographer Thomas Revington
Cinematographer Thomas Revington

With log and raw the creative intention can be totally misinterpreted and changed down the line.

Tip for starters

Generally, I think collaboration is key. Asking a director to trust you with their project is huge. They want to make sure they can trust you to make the best choices for the project and expect to be supported fully in their filmmaking goal. Once you shoot, projects lead to other projects. Finding directors you like working with is key. And as a starting point, I would definitely recommend reaching out to directors and production companies.

YMCinema encourages cinematographers, editors, and content creators to reach out and tell their stories, insights, tips, and thoughts, in order to educate and inspire others. Would you like to get featured? Email us: yossy [at] ymcinema.com

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Yossy is a filmmaker who specializes mainly in action sports cinematography. Yossy also lectures about the art of independent filmmaking in leading educational institutes, academic programs, and festivals, and his independent films have garnered international awards and recognition.
Yossy is the founder of Y.M.Cinema Magazine.

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Get the best of filmmaking!

Subscribe to Y.M.Cinema Magazine to get the latest news and insights on cinematography and filmmaking!

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Subscribe to Y.M.Cinema Magazine to get the latest news and insights on cinematography and filmmaking!

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