Introducing Featured Filmmaker Justin Marx. Justin lives among the rare breed of talented filmmakers who, at a very young age, make the decision to "make a living" working in the tumultuous industry of filmmaking – and he does. "I'm not your ordinary DP who thinks he's gods gift to cinematography, "says Justin. "I'm a DP that shoots short films, features, music videos, reality TV, medical procedures (ICK), and just about anything these days that pays the mortgage." It is with this tenacity and passion that has created an interesting path in Justin's road to feature films and documentaries. From working on such films as, "Analyze This" and "The Hours," to being the Co-producer and DP on his first feature film "Know Thy Enemy" (Purchased and Distributed by Lionsgate Films), Justin proves that going "all-in" does pay off. Make sure to check out his on location BTS photos and trailers of Justin's work and learn about the trials and tribulations of shooting his most recent documentary, "Behind the Blue Veil" shot in Timbuktu.
Photo by Justin Marx in Baja Mexico in the mirror of the talent F150 Ecoboost Baja car about to race the Baja.
What made you decide to get into the film industry?
I grew up in Manhattan on the upper Westside. Back then it was almost impossible to walk down the street without seeing either a Woody Allen film, "Law and Order", "The Equalizer," or some other New York City based TV show or film taking over the streets. I LOVED IT! I knew when I was about 10 years old I would either be a chef, or somehow involved in the film business. Let's just say I’m a good cook, but my passion is in motion pictures. My Mom worked her magic when I was about to drop out of high school and got me into a school where I got my break from Noreen Shevlin, a producer who scooped me for an internship for a commercial film production company in the city. Free food and craft service. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The rest is history.
What do you love most about the film industry and the process?
I really love the way someone like me can buy a camera, and with a killer team, shoot a no budget feature in a 12 days and have Lionsgate Films buy it. I love getting paid to travel to places to do insane things I would never have done purposely or been allowed to do even if I paid. I love that my office has a different view each day and I love the feeling of being part of a team, sometimes 3 people, sometimes and 200, one big dysfunctional family.
Photo also by Leigh Ann Pobiak on the set of the film "Know Thy Enemy" directed by Lee Cipolla.
Justin Marx on location in Trinidad and Tobago shooting aerials for a local production company. Photo by Leo Tamargo
From where or from whom do you get your inspiration?
Many people rattle off DP’s names, and I could do the same. I’ve met so many DP’s that are great at their craft, but it’s the team that inspires me, the way the gaffer, electrics, grips, sound, props, producers, production coordinators, PA’s and of course craft service make this machine move. I think the best DP out there would do well but not his best without the team. I need to mention one name though, Ed McNamara. He is a producer in South Florida and taught me, and SO MANY others how to respect this business, how to act on set, how to be the best… The A-TEAM! He is truly what defines my respect for this industry and professionalism.
What do you like about being a DP?
I really love shooting; I love bringing what is on paper or in a director's head to life by trying new things and breaking rules (the 180 rule is for wusses). I’m in my element on set with the camera on my shoulder, my eye to the finder, bringing what took days, weeks or months to produce come to life. I really like happy accidents as well. Most DP’s wont admit some of the best shots are not the ones we lit, but the ones that mother nature did, the way the sunlight bounces off of a freshly cemented sidewalk edging an actors face in a way a shiny board just can't match. I also love our ever-growing arsenal of tools, from Go-Pro’s to 15,000FPS cameras, what will they think of next?
Anything unusual ever happen on set or location?
I’m not sure if this falls into the category of unusual, or just unlucky? Shooting a low budget feature sometimes requires you to skimp on permits. On a film a shot a few years ago "Know Thy Enemy", we were filming a scene outside of a club during the day in a strip mall. The scene involved one of our actors pulling out a gun from under his shirt and then the crowd screams. Let's just say they were all really good actors, and a few takes in, my director Lee Cipolla, pointed out the 7 cops with guns drawn surrounding us. Thankfully we got what we needed before they shut us down (no one was hurt either).
Justin Marx on location in Timbuktu shooting the documentary Behind the Blue Veil. Photo by Robyn Symon.
What current projects do you have in the works?
I just wrapped in January of this year. One of the more challenging and interesting projects I have worked on during the 16 years I have been in this business. The project is a documentary for Symon Productions headed by Emmy-winning Producer/Director Robyn Symon. The project required shooting in the city of Timbuktu and surrounding areas, which have some of the harshest conditions in the world. Wes Malkin the DP for the project comes from the film world and has shot adventurous projects all over the world, from atop Angel Falls in the Amazon for renown commercial director Bob Gordon to the Middle East to the hill tribes of Thailand and is know for his stunning visual imagery for clients including Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Caesars, Curacao Tourism and Air Jamaica.
Photo by Robyn Symon of Justin Marx on location in Timbuktu shooting the documentary Behind the Blue Veil directed by Robyn Symon
Photo by Robyn Symon of Justin Marx on location in Timbuktu shooting the documentary Behind the Blue Veil directed by Robyn Symon
What are some of the challenges you faced while shooting your documentary "Behind the Blue Veil" in Timbuktu?
The challenge of this assignment would be to put together a camera package that was portable and light yet be able to capture the vast expanse of the Sahara while still looking as close to film as possible, oh and he could bring only one guy. This is where I came into the picture. I have worked with Wes on many projects over the years so we already had a great working relationship. He knew I had just completed a 5D multi-camera campaign as an additional cinematographer/AC for Luminary Films with Louis Koerner the director/DP for Ford Motor Company. The project took us all over the USA for five months ending with a week shooting the Baja 1000. Lets just say, that was my boot camp.
Tell us a little bit about your upcoming documentary Behind the Blue Veil?
The documentary focuses on the threat of extinction of one of the world’s oldest cultures- the nomadic Tuareg. We followed them deep into the heart of their villages, 3 hours outside Timbuktu (already the middle of nowhere) to find the true story of what the government is doing or not doing to help them survive in the face of dramatic climate changes. The Tuareg are well known worldwide for their tribal music, amazing jewelry and their blue turbans worn by the men, not the women, and yes, the Volkswagen Toureg is named after them but spelled differently for some reason! Well, we made it to Timbuktu and back with all of the gear (plus or minus some sand) awesome footage and a compelling story! The project is currently in post production. Wes put together a visual piece of our journey so we could give everyone a taste of what is to come. For more info, visit indiegogo.com and search for "Behind the Blue Veil."
Watch “Behind the Blue Veil” – ungraded footage.
Some people have connections into the film industry. Others have to break the door down. Justin Marx, as a teenager with no affiliation in the entertainment world, and no money, bravely paved his own way. An internship with a small NYC commercial production company during high school was his first break, they saw that he was creative and a hard worker and immediately hired him before he even graduated. Moving to Florida soon there after he began working for the top commercial producer in town, gaining experience working on hundreds of commercials, music videos and blockbuster films such as "Analyze This" and "The Hours."
With his keen eye and love of photography Justin invested in a high definition camera and began shooting short films. His first short "The Halls of Jacob" made it into 11 film festivals garnering numerous awards. Receiving a ground breaking feature film script from friend/colleague Lee Cipolla, Justin took the next leap in his career jumping on board as the Director of Photography and co-producer, shooting his first feature film, "Know Thy Enemy" which was eventually purchased and distributed by Lionsgate Films.
With over 16 years in the industry, his passion still lies in narrative work, but he his most recent work has been more for the commercial and documentary world, traveling the globe from Mexico to Timbuktu. In his own words "I love every day I work, and that's not easy for many people to say, but when the world is you're office, and you're office is different each day, how could you not love it!" Justin is currently in pre-production on a feature film, shooting in LA and FL late 2011.
Justin's Website at Marx The Spot Films — http://www.marxthespotfilms.com/HOME.html
Find Justin on IMDB – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0555629/
Know Thy Enemy Trailer — http://www.knowthyenemymovie.com/TRAILER.html
Justin on You Tube — http://www.youtube.com/user/marXTheSpotFilms
Behind The Blue Veil — http://vimeo.com/19855424
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