Digi-Tech Q&A with Kyle Makrauer
This Q&A series is all about shining a spotlight on people in the industry. The goal is to learn about them and share their insights with you. There are many talented people in various markets around the world, and hopefully this series will help you get to know them better.
My name is Kyle Makrauer and I’m a hot sauce toting digi tech originally from Philly. I started my tech career in NYC and now I am based in LA. Most of my jobs consists of commercial lifestyle fashion, beauty, high end still life, and celebrity
Q: How did you become a Digital-Tech and how long have you done it?
I became a digital tech because I got tired of hauling heavy gear as a photo assistant, which now all I do is haul heavy computer gear.
I have been in the digi tech game now for about 8 years, starting from doing ecomm work with amazon, creative drive, and industrial color. Following that I fell into doing digi work for high end still life photographers who shot cosmetics and jobs for bgt tech companies. I dabbled in fashion work for a little before ultimately moving to LA where my clientele shifted to on-figure beauty work and large scale commercial jobs. So, the tabletop life scaled up very quickly after moving here.
Q: What do you like most about your work; what do you like least?
I like that I have the opportunity to be involved with all departments on set.
I dislike when I'm being talked down to when you really shouldn’t be stressing out the person who is handling all assets.
Q: What do you feel is important to learn for anyone starting out or what do you wish you knew when starting?
I feel that it is important to have previous experience being a photo assistant so you are able to communicate effectively with the lighting team and work together.
Q: What’s one item in your kit you can recommend to everyone?
Q: What piece of equipment would you like to never see on set again?
Most of the Fuji GFX line.
Q: If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
To have standardized equipment and production rates across the board.
Q: What was your best day on set?
My best days on set came to me when I moved to LA and starting working on large scale commercial job. That being said, it’s very hard to pinpoint a specific job where I would award it the “best day on set”. That being said, the best days are when we have a fun, but challenging, concept where the production ecosystem all works together smoothly. The biggest plus is when I’m working with familiar people and it’s like seeing an old friend when pushing my gear on set.
Q: How do you explain what you do for work to family/strangers?
A digital tech is someone that provides on set quality control, camera IT support, and is a liaison between the photographer and client on advertising photo shoots.
I try my best to simplify our job title enough to be said in just one sentence.
Kyle Makrauer
Info@flavorsaviordigital.com
You can read others in the Q&A series HERE
