Category: PE 9

I chose to interview Mahlon Todd Williams who is a cinematographer and artist. For work, he shoots music videos, commercials, TV shows and movies. I chose to interview Todd because I knew it would be a really neat interview because he is a very cool person, and it would be a unique experience. I also am interested in the film industry, on either side of the camera. I learned a lot about future options if I wanted to take a path into the film industry and some ways I can get into it. Overall, the interview was a really interesting experience all around, and I learned a lot. It was also fascinating to just hear his story and how he got into the industry and his journey to where he is today. This is actually the second time I met him, we met once before for a tour of the set for his current project, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. That was an example of potential opportunity, as he is an old friend of my dad’s. This also gives opportunity for future guidance if I do choose to go down that road.

With the help of my dad, I emailed him and we arranged to meet at Cafe Calabria in Downtown Vancouver. We met on Monday, February 17th.

Here are some links to his websites and his work:

His website

His demo reel (1)

His demo reel (2)

More about him

Questions and Answers:

Why are you passionate about your job?

He was inspired at a young age when he played around with cameras when he was my age and made short videos with his friends who just so happened to include my dad. He got into acting but then decided he liked the background work better and began filming music videos and has been working in the film industry ever since.

What obstacles have you faced to get to where you are today?

To begin, he didn’t have any family or friends in the industry and didn’t know much about it. He also didn’t have the best grades in highschool. Then when choosing a school to go to, the school in California that he was thinking of going to was around 20,000 and that was way over budget. He ended up going to Concordia University in Montreal for 5 years. There, he made a few friends and lots of connections. Another struggle with this though is that he didn’t speak any French while he attended a school in Quebec. Though, he made it through all of these struggles and thrived.

What advice would you pass on to someone who was interested in what you are doing?

His big way of getting through his career was being in the right place at the right time. He was at a barbeque and met someone who set him up with a karaoke company. Then, he ended up working with Drake where he then met the Weeknd and filmed music videos for them. Another big piece of advice he gave me is to always be prepared and to pay attention. Always help around and be prepared for everything. Pay attention to what people want because that’s really important to adapt to your boss and client’s needs. He found it was really important to take notes as well. Something else he mentioned was to find the best people to make connections with and to train with them and gain as much as you can with them to improve your own abilities, skills, and connections for potential opportunity. Lastly, he said to take risk. Some of his favourite experiences were from jobs that seemed maybe questionable or boring. It’s important to try new things.

Would you be open to further contact from Riverside students and if so, how can someone contact you?

Todd is open to further contact by email. His email is toddwilliamsdp@gmail.com

How many places have you travelled for work purposes and where are some of those places?

Todd has travelled through Canada, US, Seattle, LA. New Mexico, Mexico City, Belize, Guyana, Chile, Easter Island, Korea, Germany, England, Ireland, Budapest, Austria and more. Those were just for work purposes nevermind his recreational travelling. This is a reason why I would like a job like Todd has, he gets to travel a lot. I love to travel so this could be a reason to take a similar path career-wise.

Have you met any famous people through work? Who?

He has met Drake, the Weeknd, Lil Wayne, Tyga, Nickelback, Barenaked Ladies, Mariana’s Trench, Hedley, Dominic Purcel, Wentworth Miller, Caty Lotz, Charlie Duce, Michael Collins, Fabian Cousteau, Frank Culbertson, Lucy Widdel, Mincun Bound, Ray Leotta, Big Show, Dean Ambrose, and many more really neat people.

What are some projects you have worked on or are working on at the moment?

His biggest project is DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, but he also does music videos, karaoke videos, short films, commercials and more. To be specific, he also filmed Painkiller Jane, the Weeknd’s music videos (for Wicked Games, High for this, Rolling Stonw and The Zone), Edge of Revolution – Nickelback, Barenaked in America (documentary), and a commercial for Bausele (Australian watch brand).

Here is a picture from when I went on his set for DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. This picture is about 2 years old as I met him once ever before this project.

Here are some pictures of his art. When he is not working, he paints.

Photo Credits

Concorda University: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/concordiauniversity-vanberkominvestmentmanagementprogram

Legends of Tomorrow poster: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4532368/

The picture of me on the set was my photo.

Todd’s paintings: His instagram, @mahloncinematography