Filmmaker Spotlight  Filmmaker Benji Bakshi
Benji Bakshi
Before becoming a professional cinematographer, Benji Bakshi spent much of his life travelling the world as a classical cellist. He now holds a B.A. in Film and Media Arts from Temple University and a M.F.A. in Cinematography from the American Film Institute (AFI) in Hollywood.
At AFI, Benji received invaluable guidance, mentorship, and training from the world’s greatest cinematographers of today: Bill Pope, ASC (SPIDERMAN trilogy, THE MATRIX trilogy), Tom Stern, ASC (FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, CHANGELING), Matthew Libatique, ASC (IRON MAN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM), Roger Deakins, ASC/BSC (THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN), and more. Another important step in Benji’s career was apprenticing in the camera department under Chris Manley, ASC (MAD MEN, PRISON BREAK, CSI:NY).
Benji has now been a professional Cinematographer for over 10 years, and is a member of the I.A.T.S.E. Local 600 as Director of Photography. He co-owns a production company, Fretboard Pictures LLC, which specializes in new media, commercial content, and the RED ONE CAMERA productions. He has filmed Oscar-winning actors like Jane Fonda, and has travelled the globe shooting television, documentaries, and narrative. His previous feature film credits include THE ROAD TO PECUMSECAH, TRAVELLING SALESMAN, and THE LEGENDS OF NETHIAH starring Robert Picardo, John Heard, and Theresa Russell.
In summer 2010 he will begin production on VINYL, a feature film directed by AFI colleague Sara Sugarman, whose previous work earned her the Sundance Audience Award and subsequent studio films such as CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN starring Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox. This February, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) named Benji winner of the 2010 Heritage Cinematography Award for his work on the film LIFE ON EARTH.
For more information about Benji, click here.
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