Get One Month FREE of Riverside if you use our code "505https://creators.riverside.com/505What's up Rock Nation! Today we're joined by Giancarlo Stigliano, a cinematographer and DP who has shot major commercial campaigns, built one of the most thoughtful filmmaking channels on YouTube, and become known for showing the side of cinematography most people never see. In this episode, we get into why being a great DP is only 30% technical, what most videographers are missing when trying to level up into bigger commercial work, the Puma shoot that became his “welcome to the NBA” moment, why buying expensive gear is not always the move, how to think through lighting, contrast, and problem solving on set, and what it actually takes to go from local clients to working on bigger productions with real crews, real pressure, and real stakes.Check out Giancarlo here:https://www.instagram.com/carlostigs/Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:02 – Free Sales Call Guide01:13 – Why Being a DP Is Only 30% Technical03:32 – The Set That Changed Carlo’s Perspective06:10 – Imposter Syndrome on Bigger Productions08:32 – Carlo’s “Get on Base” Moment with Puma10:55 – Riverside Sponsor11:56 – How Videographers Can Level Up Into Bigger Commercial Work18:12 – Buying a Cinema Camera and Becoming an Owner-Operator21:10 – Moving Beyond Local Retainer Clients26:36 – Learning to Plan Instead of Just Capture28:44 – What Makes a DP Hireable31:09 – Shooting a Feature Film After Interning for Danny34:57 – Lessons Carlo Took From His First Feature36:38 – What a DP Thinks About First on Set40:12 – Managing Time Pressure on Set40:50 – Working With Different Director Personalities45:17 – Technical Lessons That Changed Carlo’s Cinematography48:33 – Why You Shouldn’t Always Shoot Wide Open50:55 – How YouTube Has Helped Carlo’s Career57:57 – Building a Real Connection With Your Audience1:00:39 – Carlo’s Lighting Process Before a Scene1:03:30 – Contrast Ratios Explained Simply1:05:01 – Problem Solving on Set as a DP1:09:57 – How Carlo Fixed a Difficult Window Lighting Scene1:12:03 – Taking Creative and Career Risks1:15:31 – Burnout, Slow Seasons, and Freelance Pressure1:20:44 – Fitness, Lawn Care, and Hobbies Outside Work1:28:48 – Wrapping the Episode with Carlo1:29:17 – Post-Pod DebriefIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/