We had the good fortune of connecting with Cam DeMars and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cam, do you have a budget? How do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
I take alot of pride in my personal finances. I think this is a topic that isn’t talked about enough or taught enough in the film industry. Unless you come from money, having your personal finances and budgets figured out is one of the most important parts of finding success. Oftentimes projects can be few and far between and having the ability to live below your means and make your money go as far as it can is a great way to keep yourself available and working on the things and projects that bring you joy. I’m also a firm believer that people who save money and live below their means enjoy a freedom that people busy upgrading their lifestyle cant fathom.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an independent cinematographer and director currently based in New York City.

With my work I try not the be the guy thats “set apart from others” and instead try to make myself disappear as much as I can when making short films, music videos, or documentaries. I am way more interested in people and stories that make us all feel interconnected in some way or give you the ability to feel a sort of common ground, and Ive found that the more I can separate myself from my work the better outcomes I get with how I enjoy the work.

I think nowadays with social media, a-lot of filmmakers feel the need to be the “talent” or in the spotlight for their work, for me personally I just want to keep doing what Im doing and learn as much about other people as I can.

If I wasn’t having to constantly market myself for more work I wouldn’t even want my name to be on the films I make.

In terms of the “was it easy?” question I think thats a hard one to answer because everyone has their own version of easy.
I have all my limbs and mental facilities so with that in mind I feel like I have it pretty easy.
This is traditionally a very hard industry to survive in so I think the fact that I am able to be creative and pay my bills is a huge privilege. The constant insecurity and competitiveness of the film industry is very hard but its also one of the aspects that I enjoy the most so its kind of a double edged sword! If it weren’t for the support systems in my life I think all of this would be ALOT harder.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I just had the privilege to show one of my best friends New York City for the first time, and while you can eat yourself silly here, I think one thing every one should experience is a New York Deli. You have a 24/7 grill where you can order just about anything you can think of at any hour of the day and a place where you can get beer, laundry detergent, cigarettes, cat food, and weed all in one place, its the intersection of every new yorker and its beautiful.

Mainly I think the best itinerary in New York is to just keep a healthy distance from tourist trap areas. However, its hard not to take someone to Washington Square Park or Central Park and see them take the city in.

OH! And also try to take the Ferry’s everywhere you go, you get riverside skyline views for $2.75 and you can buy beer in the main cabin.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Aw man, the list is too big to narrow it down! All that I have in my career and life is because of the relationships I have been lucky enough to foster. However, most importantly, my mother and grandfather influenced who I am at such a deep level that I can’t help but attribute everything I enjoy about my life and career to them. Im a 5th generation Montanan and the values instilled in me through a life around agriculture will continue to inspire and ground me for the rest of my life.

Website: camdemars.com

Instagram: @demars_

Other: Outdoor and Adventure Filmmaking work can be found here: Benshicreative.com

Image Credits
Tyler Rued Ben Hard

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