Meet Zack Placencia | Self Employed Cinematographer

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

Hi Zack, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
For me, starting my own business and creating a brand has been an unexpected journey of self discovery. When you begin a venture most of the time you think you just want to make money. But anyone can make money doing anything. So you have to ask yourself, “why am I choosing to make money through _______?” I’ve spent hours contemplating why I chose to have videos be the means of making an income. Why I wanted to work for myself. Why I want to run my business the way that I do. I’ve rebranded my business a few times already and changed niches within just a few years, because I discovered that the path I began wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. I never expected to learn more about my motives and desires like I have through my business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My interest in video started in high school. I stumbled upon it through skateboarding. Growing up skateboarding, my friends and I would always film each other. The unofficial rule of skating is “if it’s not on video, then it didn’t happen.” Creating videos of my friends and I skating is where it all started and just grew from there.

It definitely hasn’t been easy, and I don’t even feel comfortable to say that I’m where I want to be. I’m actually in the process of rebranding. I’ve felt that I’ve had an epiphany of the creative direction I want to pursue within my industry. It’s not going to be an easy pivot, but I believe its in the direction that I want to go. What gets me through challenges like these, is the notion that you only fail when you quit trying.

I think what separates me from other creatives is that I put every ounce of passion I have into each project. I take on fewer clients so I can have better focus on each project. I’m always seeking to improve my craft.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Salt river and Saguaro Lake are probably my favorite outdoor spots. Cliff jumping, floating the river, off roading, and fishing. Sometimes my friends and I drive out there with no agenda and its always a good time. Downtown Tempe is a pretty cool spot. The growth in the recent years has been crazy. Its a hub of cool hangout spots and interesting people. The Phoenix area has a lot of great local artists with cool intimate venues. The Rebel lounge, Unity through Community, and lots of other places seem to always been hosting album release parties or local artists.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d say the most contributing factor to my success are the people around me. My friends and family, especially my brother. He’s been my go to actor and assistant from the beginning. Most of my early projects came about from connections I have through my friends. Thats what helped start my business and build a portfolio of video work.

Instagram: @zackplacencia

Linkedin: @zackplacencia

Facebook: zack placencia

Image Credits
Neil Schwartz Caleb Placencia Wesley Schofield