Today we’d like to introduce you to Cory Otterstrom.
Hi Cory, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Starting out, I was the Photographer in my High school, and having a skateboarding background it just came naturally to me. I started filming and making skate videos with my friends and fell in love with creating. After graduation I was lost, I barely graduated thinking that I would join the military or something. My mom recommended me going to school for photography and in that pipe line I decided to join the camera side of making movies. Tried and hated it so I decided that if I wanted to make and create movies I need to know how to light them, eventually leaning more towards the Gaffing and Grip side and I love it and I consider it a passion.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not, I feel that film is very much who you know. So with me just deciding that I wanted to get into film, Im very thankful that I went to college for it, to make those connections and have those learning experiences. I barely graduated high school so I didn’t think I had it in me to achieve anything that I currently have. College and the people that I met changed my life and it to this day is very overwhelming.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CXO Grip Company?
When I started this company I wanted to not only provide gear to people that need it, but I want to start doing more workshops and provide more learning opportunities for people that want to get involved in film making. Im super proud to announce some workshops and mixers coming soon with some help from some super great companies and friends! If you want gear in the Phoenix area let us know!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Im a big fan of resources that better my career. Gaffer and Gear on YouTube is really good if you want to nerd out on lights and what they do. Every Frame a Painting and Studiobinder is really good if you want to learn about more specific stuff about Directing and Cinematography. Aputure has really good lighting breakdowns as well!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cory.otterstrom/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cory_Otterstrom
