notes a la carte
One Frame at a Time
I spent the afternoon at a quiet café—just me, my notebook, and the soft clatter of mugs and silverware in the background. The sunlight hit my table in a way that made me pause: just enough shadow, just enough warmth. It struck me that so many scenes are made from moments like this. Simple, still, but charged with feeling. That reminder is why I’m drawn to the camera in the first place.
Growing up, it was never just the story or the characters that stuck with me—it was the way a scene looked. The framing. The way the camera moved. The softness of a backlight or the intensity of a long take. Long before I knew anything about the technical side, I understood that the visual language of film carried its own kind of emotion. That connection has never left me, and it continues to drive my dream of becoming a Director of Photography.
I’ve also found myself drawn to the role of the Gaffer. Cinematography doesn’t happen in isolation—it starts with light, with teamwork, with the rhythm between departments. There’s a quiet, practiced coordination when grip and electric teams work together, making something beautiful just… work. I love the hands-on aspect of it, the satisfaction of rigging gear and setting up equipment so the camera can flow freely. It feels like setting the stage for someone else to dance.
One of the most rewarding parts of being on set is watching how everyone grows into their role. There’s a power in letting each department own their lane, while building the communication that ties it all together. At the end of the day, it’s not just about lights or lenses—it’s about trust, timing, and collaboration.
Looking ahead, my goals are becoming clearer.
Three years from now, I see myself running a small business full-time, focused on film production and creative media—built on freelance projects, collaborations, and community.
In five years, I want to be part of larger productions within an established company, sharpening my craft in lighting and cinematography alongside experienced crews.
And in ten years, I dream of being on feature film sets as either a Director of Photography or in a key lighting role, helping to shape stories on a cinematic scale.
Right now, within this course, I’m diving into the roles of DP, Gaffer, and Grip. Each one teaches me something different, and together they’re showing me what it really takes to tell a story visually. I’m learning how to shape light, move gear, and build trust with a team—and to me, that’s where the magic begins.
For now, I’ll keep showing up. One frame at a time. And maybe some of those frames will start at café tables like this one.
— Yogi Castor
Founder, Yogi Films
