Director of Photography Lloyd Ahern first balked at being interviewed for this site because of the way he got into his field. (His father was a DP and back when Lloyd was coming up, being a “legacy” got him into the union.) But we here at YII know a good story when we hear one and despite his “in,” Lloyd had a lot to teach us about getting as much experience as possible early on and then the benefits of working “too” hard once you have the job.

Current position: I’m the Director of Photography on “Army Wives” and I directed 2 episodes last season and 2 episodes the previous season.

College & degree: I never enrolled in college, but I say I “dropped in” at USC. I was there all the time.

Internship: My father was a Director of Photography, so in those days, I was a legacy. The union accepted me based on that but more importantly, I was raised in a dark room. I shot my own movies all the way through my teen years and hung out on my dad’s movie sets all the time. (Editor’s note: Lloyd’s father Lloyd Ahern, Sr.’s first job as a DP was on MIRACLE ON 34^th STREET.)

First job in the entertainment industry: I started as a film loader at CBS Radford. I loaded the unexposed film into the magazines and then unload it for processing. It was a great place to start because there were twenty productions at any given time and, all day long, I was on set, learning how to conduct myself, how to deal with people… I made friends with a DP who approached me one day to say he was going to start shooting a show called “The Big Valley” the following week and he needed a camera assistant. I jumped at the opportunity.

Big break: I was shooting a TV pilot (by this point I was an established television DP) when I was contacted by Walter Hill (note: the legendary writer/director/producer). He was about to start a movie, TRESPASS (1992, Bill Paxton, Ice Cube, Ice-T) and his DP wasn’t available. This allowed me to break into DPing movies and now I could do both.

Eureka moment: I was making a movie on location in Mohave, UT in a projection room after a long day shooting in the hot desert sun. We had all of these cowboys and Indians up on the big screen and everything was perfect. Four cameras, great light, perfect shot. I knew that I always overplanned and overthought and, in spite of my anxiety, it always worked out. At this moment, I realized that it was because of my overplanning and overthinking that it worked out. It was not a lucky accident. It had been eight years of worry before I got to this place of confidence and knew I was on the right path.

Career path: I went from camera loader to slate to focus puller to camera operator to DP. I got promoted from operator to DP on an established show (”Simon & Simon”). I was bored to death. On an established show, the look is already defined. Everything is old news. During the hiatus from that show, though, director Robert Butler (who had directed the pilots for “Moonlighting” and ”Hill Street Blues”)  hired me to shoot a pilot and it launched my career. If Robert Butler wants you, everyone wants you.

Describe a typical work day in your current position: You come in the morning and create an energy on the set, get the momentum of the day going. (You know what you’re shooting from the day before, having collaborated with the director, the gaffer and the key grip before leaving set.) You set up the first shot, focusing everyone on the plan, and getting it. And then the second shot. All the way through the shooting day.

Worst job (or day) in entertainment industry: I’d rather not bring it up, but if there’s not unity at the top, it makes for a bad set.

Best job (or day) in entertainment industry: Working on “Geronimo: An American Legend” with Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall (see “eureka moment” above). There was massive cooperation and integration with every department. It was just a joy.

Best thing about your current job: When you get to a certain point in your career, you have an incredible amount of knowledge and you can use your experience to solve problems unique to each situation. You get an incredible rush of getting great images in the constraints of TV. It’s fun, invigorating. There’s no time to contemplate. You’ve got to keep moving and do different things every time. Confident, prepared DPs and directors do better work. It’s a rush.

Worst thing about your current job: Literally nothing.

Brush with greatness: The only thing I can think of, the only time I’ve ever been impressed by a celebrity… When I was real young, I did a John Wayne movie. He was completely dressed and up on his horse. That was the only time I’ve ever really been in awe. Very impressive. (Though personally, I didn’t like him. He was a mean son of a bitch.)

Secret of your success/advice to the newbie: If you’re in film school, the secret is to be constantly making movies. As a DP, you’ll make a couple of big mistakes and realize half the mistakes you make end up being the best shot in the movie. And then get into the editing room. Practical shooting is ten times more valuable than learning theory. The bottom line is that what you think you’re shooting and what you end up with is never the same. And once you learn that, you automatically give yourself options. You don’t learn that sitting in a classroom. You learn that on a set.

As a beginner, realize that the whole movie business is a Catch-22. Basically, you can’t do something unless you’ve done it already. But the whole business is filled with people who were told they couldn’t do something and did it anyway.

There is nothing fair about the movie business. Sometimes you get a break and sometimes you get your heart broken. Which leads me to… Make sure your life is full so that when you’re not working, you’re not worried and you have something fun to do.

Next move: I’m always looking for either a script that’s exciting or people you admire to work with.

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 Today’s Inside Scoop subject has a well-earned reputation for being a passionate and straight-shooting executive & executive producer dedicated to protecting the creative process in order to get the best end-product out of it. We were thrilled when Deb agreed to give us a little insight into how she got to where she is and how she stays sane with such a busy life. (Hint: It isn’t easy!)

Current positions: President of The Mark Gordon Television Company; Executive Producer of: “Criminal Minds,” “Army Wives,” and “Reaper.”

College degree: BA from Western Kentucky University, major in Theatre, minor in journalism.

Internship: Apprentice at The Actors Theatre Of Louisville.

First job in entertainment industry: Assistant to Steve Reuther and Arnon Milchan at New Regency Productions.

Big break: Landing an executive position at Showtime Networks.

Eureka moment: I was working on a couple of movies in my early years at Showtime and I talked too much. I needed to listen more, pick my battles more carefully, and better articulate the pros and cons of projects. 

Career path: I started as an actor, trained with Bill Esper, worked Regional Theatre and Off Broadway. I was developing a craft, but hated the lifestyle. I was an avid reader, always have been, so story has always fascinated me. After producing my first few pieces of theatre, I realized that it was something I was good at. I understood craft, story, and people, how to choose and motivate a team. I finally found something where I could use both my heart and my head. So I dove in. Got an assistant job within two weeks. I was 29 years old. I took a writing workshop at UCLA and produced a short film, then associate produced a feature, then wrote a (very, very bad) feature script. I parked my butt in an editing room, I looked at budgets and how much stuff cost. I wanted to learn it all. I am still learning. Showtime provided the first real opportunity for me to learn, and the magnitude of the slate coupled with the faith of the leadership allowed me to work on 30 movies and minis before I left there and to develop far more than that. Being with writers that much and sculpting and crafting the work was instrumental in my development as a producer.

Worst day in the business: The day I got fired from Showtime.

Best day in the business: The day I got fired from Showtime.

Best thing about your current job: Getting to constantly hone your skills as a film maker. In the same way Regional Theatre provides an opportunity to the actor to grow with the number of plays and roles he or she can experience in a season, so series television does for the producer. You are always developing, shooting, editing. It is a gold mine of an education. Additionally, I work with people who are passionate about the work. When one is passionate about the work, there are fewer politics to deal with and it’s fun. I want to live my life with people who care and are excited by the work, excited to tell authentic stories. Everyone has a story, its what I love about this business….telling those stories.

Worst thing about your current job: Is there never feels like there is any real downtime. There is always more to do, more to accomplish. The worst thing about my current job is my frequent inability to balance my work and home life, and still find the time to take care of myself. There was a time where I did yoga four times a week and did not imagine my life without it. Now I cannot imagine having the time to do yoga that often. Really it is just a never ending cycle and that is the best and worst part of my job.

Brush with greatness: Was giving birth. Sorry, that’s the greatest moment ever. No celebrity, no magic hour shot, no super hot director or writer can begin to compare. 
   
Secret of your success/advice to the newbie: Simple, hard work, and continually educating myself on different effective ways to tell a story is the only way I know how to do my job. Also, recognizing when you are running on fumes and having the good sense to take a break and take care of yourself. Otherwise you are just chasing the next fad. Listen to your voice, listen to what moves you, and go from there.

Next move: Is as of yet unplanned. I have to get kids raised and off to college. There are three of them so it will be a while!

Know anyone who could use an entertainment industry insider? If so, please encourage them to subscribe to YourIndustryInsider.com and sign up to receive YII’s Mogul Mindset eBlasts today! Also, please visit Your Industry Insider Store to check out recommended books and DVDs. Content will be added regularly as suggestions come in from industry insiders!