Cinematography is Flat Out Genius - Felix Schaefer (German Actor & Director)

If you have a sensitivity towards what makes someone feel angry, sad, happy, etc. then you can understand what frame makes the film feel in what way.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I am originally from Germany, and studied Performing Arts, majoring in drama, in Auckland, New Zealand. Then I worked in Berlin for a while, and now I am hiding away from the Corona Panic Atmosphere in Bali, Indonesia.

2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?

No, I always wanted to become a professional athlete. I only realized in my mid-twenties who and what I am. A performer and storyteller. This is my true nature, it is what I was born to do.

3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor or creating films?

These are two different things, so let me separate them. Whether acting or filmmaking is your career depends on whether you can live off it or not. So, in order to have a career, my tip is to kiss a lot of ass, and then kiss a lot more ass. It is sad but true, it is the path most careers happen.

Or take the road less traveled, and just do whatever you feel is right and whatever is in your heart. Be ready to struggle financially, and be ready to have a difficult career path.

The second part, confidence, and belief. Here is my answer. Surround yourself with supportive, positive, and motivated people, people who say yes, people who say it is possible.

Do not surround yourself with people who just shout generic “you are amazing”. The two things can often look very similar but are extremely different.

4. What are the important skills one should have to be a successful cinematographer?

Be emotionally sensitive. If you have a sensitivity towards what makes someone feel angry, sad, happy, etc. then you can understand what frame makes the film feel in what way.

5. Which film(s) do you appreciate the most for their cinematography?

Birdman. The camera is extremely active, which is dangerous territory, but for me, the cinematography is flat out genius. It pushes the film forward like nothing I have ever seen.

6. What has been the biggest learning from your job?

Everyone freaking says it, but it is true, just do it. Just do it. Just do it. Take a risk, shoot your film, be radical, be crazy, but most importantly, just do it.

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

“The road less traveled.” It brings the theory of human psychology and practical stories together like no other book. And as a filmmaker, you often try and do the same.

Instagram ID -@fifi_schaefer

Felix Schaefer (Born May 27, 1983, in Heidelberg) is a German actor and director. After graduating from High School in 2003 he moved to Auckland, New Zealand. He lived there for 8 years and studied Performing Arts at the Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts, majoring in Drama.

Having completed his bachelor's, he moved to Berlin where he worked as an actor and director for 7 years. Felix currently lives in Bali. Schaefer can be seen as a lead actor in the psychothriller “Freddy Eddy”.

He played Andi in Anika Decker’s “High Society” and Freddie in “Traumfrauen”, also by Decker. Prior to the feature film “Down there in Heaven”, he directed the short films “Te Henga” (2011), “Weisse Lügen” (2015), and, “Fügung” (2016). His latest feature “Influenza” is set to be released in 2021.