A Conversation with Cinematographer Ashley Phinney

By Jeremy Brubacher

JB: What sparked your interest in film?

AP: The second Lord of the Rings movie was released when I was in elementary school. At the time, my sister and I were very into magazines. One day my mom came home with a magazine that featured some behind-the-scenes photos and stories from the shoot. I must have read that article 50 times. I even brought it to school for 'show and tell.' That was the first time I considered that movies must be made and that they don't just appear out of thin air for me to enjoy. 

JB: What is your favorite film and why?

AP: My preferred genre of film is horror, especially when I am looking to watch something for the first time or with friends. I don't often stray too far from this genre. When I do, I often repeat an old favorite rather than see something new. 

Grizzly Man, Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away, The Silence of the Lambs, Across the Universe, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Pagemaster, The LOTR trilogy, The Sandlot, and Sweeney Todd have all held regular spots in my rotation for many years. 

JB: What are projects you have crewed on?

AP: At last count, I have worked on 28 member films and many other corporate and outside projects. 

JB: What are the creative roles you filled on the projects?

AP: I've done a bit of everything over the years. PA, AC, Sound, Gaffer, Grip, Producer, AD, Director, Production Design, DOP, you name it - I've tried it. I've even been known to do craft services on occasion. When you want to work in film in a province that doesn't have a booming industry, you learn to do a bit of everything to fill in the gaps.

JB: What is your favorite project that you have worked on, and what is your biggest takeaway from that project?

AP: I have had good experiences on many different projects. One of the more recent projects I was on was Ry O'Toole's feature film Further Than The Eye Can See. This project was a unique and exciting experience with challenges, particularly for the art department. I won't say too much as it hasn't been released yet, but when you see it, you will understand. What I will say is that I am incredibly grateful for all of the knowledge I gained while working on the project. It was a highlight for sure. 

JB: What areas of responsibility have you taken on at the Film Co-op?

AP: I've worked and volunteered at the NB Film Co-op many times for many things. I was an intern there in 2015, worked there as a recent graduate in 2016 and 2017, and went back again in 2019 for a few months to work on a VR project. Since 2015, I have been a member of the NB Film Co-op and have been actively working on member projects. It has been a pretty exciting journey, and I have learned much. 

JB: You started working at Outreach Productions; how long have you been there? What job position do you have at Outreach Productions?

AP: I started working at Outreach Productions in December 2021. I'm the Director of Video Production at Outreach. 

JB: What have you learned since working at Outreach, and how are you enjoying it?

AP: It is hard to describe how much I have learned since I began. As with any new job, there is a learning curve, and this is no different. It is very exciting to be working in video production full-time again. The team is excellent, and I've been enjoying it so far. 

JB: On films, what are the creative roles that you are most likely to take on if members from the Co-op were to reach out to you?

AP: Director of Photography and Key Grip are typically my preferred roles, depending on the project. 

JB: Are you currently working on any projects, and do you have anything in the works?

AP: I recently shot Kaitlyn Adair's short film Oculus for member projects. Other than that, I am focusing on projects through Outreach. 

NB Film Co-op member and cinematographer Ashley Phinney.