Originally from India and now based in Glendale, California, this emerging cinematographer is gaining attention for his emotionally driven work across genres — especially in horror and suspense. With roots in photography, a deep love for visual storytelling, and recent projects heading into international film festivals, he’s not just capturing images — he’s capturing feeling. We sat down to talk about his journey, his inspirations, upcoming films, and the art of staying out of the comfort zone.
Q: Where are you originally from and where are you based now?
Smit Patel – A: I’m originally from India, and now I live in Glendale, California.
Q: What inspires you most to be your best as a cinematographer?
Smit Patel – A: I like the challenge that comes with every film. Every movie has its own story, its own scenes, its own emotional beats. My job is to find the right emotion for each moment — and that excites me. It’s not just about going to set and shooting a few scenes. For me, it’s about understanding the emotional core of the story and expressing that through the right framing and visuals. That process means a lot to me.
Q: Do you have a favorite film genre to work in?
Smit Patel – A:I enjoy suspense. I’ve shot horror, drama, even a sports film. I love to shoot across genres because I don’t want to put myself in a box. Comfort zones don’t work in filmmaking — it’s a huge industry with endless opportunities. But if I had to pick, I’d say horror and suspense are my favorites.
Q: Can you talk about any recent or upcoming projects you’re working on?
Smit Patel – A: I’m currently working on two films. One is about to be released, and the other is still in post-production. Both are horror films. The one that’s releasing soon is a horror-thriller, and it focuses on women empowerment. The idea is to show that when a woman decides to do something, she doesn’t need permission or validation — she has the power to make it happen. We’ve portrayed that message in a horror context. It’s called Ties of Darkness.
The second film is called Time. It also centers on women empowerment, again in a horror style. Both projects are finished shooting, but post-production has been complex due to heavy VFX work. We didn’t want to rush them — we want to deliver something that’s complete and truly polished.
Q: What was the production experience like on set for Time?
Smit Patel – A:Time was a bit of a last-minute project. We had been planning for a while, and suddenly everything came together for a shoot. But most of the crew was busy on other projects, so it was a challenge. Honestly, it wouldn’t have been possible if a few people hadn’t stepped in and taken on multiple roles — even tasks outside their job descriptions.
On the first day, I was unsure how we were going to pull it off. We had to do things like sourcing props on the same morning of the shoot. We went from one store to another just grabbing what we needed. But sometimes, spontaneous decisions turn out better than overplanning. I like to plan everything, but filmmaking doesn’t always work that way. We shot both nights — two overnight shoots — and by the end, everything came together. I’m really proud of it
