14. Mike Williamson - Gaffer

The Failed Experiment

Originally from Tucson, AZ, Mike Williamson is a gaffer/chief lighting technician (CLT) working in Hollywood, CA on commercials and music videos.
After graduating from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Williamson made the move to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his dreams of working in the film industry. Since making the move, Williamson has worked with clients such as Apple, Captain Morgan USA, Urban Plates, Honda Motor Co, along with artists such as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Wiz Khalifa, and more.
In my conversation with Williamson, we dive into his early years growing up in Tucson, AZ and wanting to get out of a city that had nothing going for it by way of filmmaking, how and why he fell in love with lighting and wanting to become a gaffer, the ebbs and flows of working as a freelance filmmaker, advice for up and coming gaffers, working with high level musicians and artists such as Lady Gaga and Tom Morello, the not so sexy business side of things when it comes to buying gear and doing your taxes, being a kind person, working on car commercials, having interests outside of work, and a whole host of other topics.
This was a lot of fun and Mike is truly a good dude, working his ass off in Hollywood. Selfishly, I hope we are able to work together again soon because he brings good energy and a rad attitude to set, which is half the battle.
Follow Mike Williamson: https://www.instagram.com/mikewilliamsoncinema/?hl=en
View Mike’s portfolio: https://www.sleeplessformat.com/
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