Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Abeysinghe.
Hi Kyle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Around 2017-2018, while I was still in high school, I got interested in streetwear and began collecting all sorts of vintage clothing, collectibles, and old film cameras. My interest in clothing led me to want to learn how to design and sew my own pieces. My first few projects were rough, but I really enjoyed shooting photo and video campaigns for each item I made.
Not long after I started, I realized I was more drawn to being behind the camera, and I gradually began focusing my time and creativity on making images instead of clothing.
By the time I started college at San Diego State University in 2019, my style became largely influenced by the work of some of my favorite cinematographers such as Vittorio Storaro, Robert Richardson, and Darius Khondji. I began learning the technical details of exposure, composition, and lighting from a filmmaking perspective, which eventually motivated me to want to become a Director of Photography.
Shortly after graduating college in 2024, I got the chance to work on my first real film set. On this set, I met some of my earliest mentors, who helped bring me up through the lighting department on a variety of other projects throughout the year. Learning about lighting is something that I consider so fundamental to my progress as a Director of Photography thus far. Even today, when I am looking to fill in the gaps between projects I am shooting, I typically take work in lighting to sharpen my knowledge of shaping/creating light.
Not long after I got on my first film set, I got the opportunity to work part-time at San Diego Film Equipment, which changed the trajectory of my film career in such a positive way, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Through San Diego Film Equipment, I got to work with people I consider true mentors and friends named Trevor Elliot, Brandon Worley, Michael Bowie, and so many others. They all took me under their wing, taught me so much of what I know today, and set a good example for where I want to be in my filmmaking career in the near future. Being around so many talented individuals pushes me to keep working on my own spec work, stay behind the camera, and keep developing my style.
As time went on, I was fortunate to get the opportunity to shoot bigger and bigger projects, which has allowed me to gain more experience-based knowledge. I have built my confidence as a Director of Photography by keeping myself busy and always being open to learning more. I have much to learn and accomplish, and pursuing my goals as Director of Photography keeps me excited and hungry to work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Although I initially went to college as a business economics major, I tried to make a late-game changeup only a year before my targeted graduation date. I applied to the film production program in 2023; however, I was denied. Around the same time, I also tried to direct and shoot my first short film, but that endeavor ended up being a huge failure. Falling flat on my face twice in a row really made me hit the drawing board, and it motivated me to work harder and push myself to get real set experience.
Finding my way into the film industry was extremely difficult; I felt like I didn’t know anyone. Once I started tapping into Facebook groups and local rental houses, I found events that let me network with local filmmakers. I ended up going to a filmmaker garage sale where I met a gaffer named Tommy Brown, who recommended me to a Director of Photography named Nate Riedel, who got me on an independent feature film as a grip.
Once I got my foot in the door, I’ve been fortunate to maintain a consistent flow of work over the last two years. At first, I took any job that came my way, but eventually I started only taking work in the lighting or camera department.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Director of Photography who specializes in shooting on celluloid film. I primarily work on commercials, music videos, and narrative films. As a Director of Photography, I help shape the visual language and how it represents/elevates the story or message we are trying to tell. My job as a Director of Photography also entails serving as an essential bridge between above-the-line and below-the-line positions on set.
When I look at my current body of work and think about the projects I am most proud of, I find myself gravitating toward the passion projects I’ve had the chance to shoot on motion picture film. This is because they are often projects I worked on with some of my closest friends, and I have been involved from the very start of the process all the way to the end.
Early in my process of building a reel, I started going back to my roots by shooting on analog formats and creating work on celluloid. After my third or fourth project where I got to incorporate film, I became sure that it was my preferred way to shoot.
I think what sets me apart is my commitment to creating images filled with texture and character. I do this primarily by shooting on film, but sometimes I have to use other methods to dirty up an image and give it a unique look. These methods may include projection, in-camera effects, and printing.
What I love about filmmaking is that, no matter what stage of my career I’m at, I will always think I have more to learn. I still feel I am at the beginning of my journey, and I’m excited to keep growing in both my style and my approach to image making.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
The childhood memory that sticks out to me most is when my family and a couple of my friends’ families took us all to Legoland for a Star Wars building competition, which our team won. I can’t remember exactly how old I was or what grade I was in, but I do remember why our parents took us: we all came up with good report cards. For the building competition, we were given a bucket of completely random parts, and we had to build something from the Star Wars universe as a team. For winning, we all got to pick a medium-sized set we wanted from a selection they had there, and it was something we, as kids, couldn’t stop talking about for almost the rest of the school year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tdyp.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilldeathdoyoupart/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tilldeathdoyoupart
