Benjamin Dowie
Introduction
Specialising in creating evocative and visceral content with a distinctly organic and honest style, invoking sun-drenched memories and glimmering emotions of intimate moments and delicate details. Beanpole Productions is a unique video & film production studio established in 2008 by cinematographer/director, Benjamin Dowie. Dowie’s work has reached just about every corner of the globe, with close to 5 million views online via Vimeo and Youtube, and has been featured several times on ‘Vimeo Staff
Picks’. Ben has received awards for his cinematography at the SA & WA Australian Cinematographers Society Awards for the past two years, with 2 Golds, a Silver, and 2 Bronze. In 2013 he was runner-up in the film & video category of the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards. Competition judge and Feature Film Director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde, Monster-in-Law, 21) had this to say “Benjamin is a true artist. His work has a profound beauty..”
Space Studios, a creative space shared by a collective of governing creatives. This is where the majority of the Beanpole mastery takes place, but Ben is readily available to work all around Australia, overseas, and on the moon.
Based in Willunga, South Australia, the Beanpole studio is housed within Shed
All images in this book are stills from Benjamin’s work.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Visceral organic honest evocative
“managing my time is really important“ How do you maxisimise your days? I don't really have a specific routine I stick to, as I'm always working on something different. I could be up at 5am for a shoot, or I could have a day in the studio editing. Managing my time is really important though, especially as I get busier. Sometimes if I'm shooting all week I'll have to come home each night and respond to emails to organise other jobs and keep on top of everything. I End up having quite long days!
“I didn't have much experience outside of film school“ My first proper paid video project? I think it was a content piece for a winery. I was friends with the head winemaker, so kind of fell into it that way, even though I didn't have much experience outside of film school.
What was your first commision and how did it come about?
What are the biggest challenges you’ve had in the realm of art? A lot of people would probably answer this question with money, and that its hard to make a living in the arts, but I’ve been very fortunate so thats never really been a problem for me. It is very challenging at times convincing clients of your value, and the value of your work.
“It is very challenging at times convincing clients of your value, and the value of your work“
“it's just a matter of discovering what that looks like for yourself as an individual“ When was the first time you remember realisng that you are wa creative person?
I’m not sure there was ever a precise moment where I thought ‘oh, I’m creative’. It’s something thats just evolved over time I think. Everyone is creative in their own way, or has the ability to be creative, it’s just a matter of discovering what that looks like for yourself as an individual.
“Space“
If you could choose any place to explore, where would it be?
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
“Do what you love“ Ronan Gallocker