Danni Ma. A warm welcome to this VIP Interview with the World Film Festival in Cannes. You were head of cinematography for the film Wings. Congratulations! Tell us about the experience.
Born in Tianjin, China, my journey from an aspiring painter to a renowned cinematographer stands as a testament to artistic evolution and unwavering determination. At the age of 17, my dream was crystal clear—to be a painter. However, a chance visit to William Kentridge’s exhibition sparked a passion for merging sketches and video, leading me to venture into the unknown by enrolling at the Sydney College of the Arts. Here, I delved into experimental videos and contemporary art theories.
Post-graduation, my thirst for the technical aspects of narrative filmmaking propelled me to the Film and Television program at SCAD in America. It was here that I honed my skills as a Director of Photography.
Today, I stand as an independent figure in LA’s cinematic landscape. My work captures the essence of stories, employing light and shadow to paint on the silver screen. My journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of pursuing one’s dreams and evolving as an artist. In cinematography, I strive to be a visionary artist, illuminating narratives with the artistry of light.
Your bio says that at age 17 you had a dream that had to do with producing images, originally as a painter though! Your chance discovery of William Kentridge’s works bridged the gap between drawing and filming when you were still a budding artist. And some years on, you are now a part of LA’s cinematic landscape! Tell us about yourself and where would you say you are at in 2023?
In early 2023, I had the privilege of working as a cinematographer on a feature film. Since relocating to LA from 2022, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with numerous talented filmmakers and immerse myself in the vibrant film community. The city has been a haven for film lovers, offering invitations to various events and screenings of the latest films.
From staying updated on the newest film releases to engaging in filmmaker Q&A sessions, every experience has been akin to a paradise for film enthusiasts. These events have not only expanded my knowledge but have also allowed me to build meaningful relationships with fellow filmmakers. The collaborative atmosphere and the wealth of learning opportunities have truly made my time in LA a rewarding and enriching experience.
We see that your “work captures the essence of stories, using light and shadow to paint on the silver screen”. Tell us more about your approach to light and photography?
As a cinematographer, I consider composition, framing, and lighting to be the quintessential elements in creating a compelling frame. Drawing from my experience as a gaffer, I hold lighting in high regard as a pivotal storytelling tool.
In the case of the film ‘Wings,’ I invested an uncommon three months in preproduction, an extended duration for a short film. This afforded me ample time to meticulously research and refine my visual approach. Opting for natural and high-key lighting styles, I believed this choice would enhance the narrative, particularly given the young protagonist and the avian character.
As the story reaches its climax, specifically when Nancy buries the bird, I deliberately transitioned to a low-key lighting scheme. Enhanced by a robust sunset serving as a poignant backlight, I aimed to create an almost silhouette effect. This choice was a deliberate visual strategy to underscore the somber ending of the narrative.
In the team behind Wings, all three key members—the producer, the director, and the cinematographer, are women. What is your take on women in cinema-making? Have things changed a lot of progress been achieved since #Metoo towards cracking that glass ceiling?
As a female cinematographer, I consider myself fortunate not to have encountered significant barriers due to the glass ceiling. However, I do notice the industry’s gender imbalance, with more males than females. It’s encouraging to share that I’ve been approached by female producers who are actively assembling all-female production teams. I find this initiative to be truly empowering and inspiring. The camaraderie of “girls helping girls” is a positive and welcomed trend, and I am enthusiastic about contributing to and supporting others in the industry.
You are in your mid-twenties. What are your views and impressions over generation alpha, its issues, and its future?
I have collaborated with numerous Gen Z actors, and my upcoming project is aimed at Generation Alpha audiences. Extensive research has been conducted to understand their viewing preferences and favored genres. Recognizing that each generation has its distinct preferences, I believe it’s essential as a filmmaker to continuously learn about the latest technologies and filmmaking formats.
6. Do you have upcoming projects you would like to share?
In the coming year, I’ll be involved in the production of a web series slated for exclusive release on online platforms. Venturing into this format is a new and exciting challenge for me as a cinematographer. Notably, previous projects on this platform have garnered millions of views online, heightening my anticipation for this endeavor. I’m enthusiastic about delving into this project, actively seeking to acquire and apply the skills demonstrated by the success of previous works in the same domain.
What’s your vision of post-Covid cinema? A brief declaration.
The future of film is anticipated to feature a trend towards quicker pacing, with an increasing preference for smaller screens such as TVs and mobile devices.
BIO
Bio Danni Ma
Danni Ma, born in Tianjin, China. Danni Ma’s journey from aspiring painter to renowned cinematographer is a testament to artistic evolution and unwavering determination. At 17, Danni’s dream was clear: to become a painter. A chance visit to a William Kentridge exhibition sparked a passion for fusing sketches and video. They took the plunge and enrolled at Sydney College of the Arts, immersing themselves in experimental video and contemporary art theory.
After graduation, Danni’s thirst for the technical aspects of narrative filmmaking led them to the film and television program at SCAD in America. There, they honed their skills as cinematographers, drawing inspiration from industry greats such as John Seale.
Today, Danni Ma is an esteemed figure in the Los Angeles film landscape. Their work captures the essence of stories, using light and shadow to paint on the big screen. Danni’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of following one’s dreams and evolving as an artist. In cinematography, Danni Ma is a visionary artist who illuminates stories with light.
©2024 Isabelle Rouault-Röhlich
