REFERENCES
“I have worked as an actor with Cliff on over 10 film projects. He has a strong passion, a strong will to train and assist up-and-coming crew and the ability to execute the desired results in a high pressure and time-constrained environment. I admire him for his vision and energy to make it happen!”
“Cliff has all the qualities you look for in a great Director of Photography. He’s fast. He’s unassuming. On my Christmas movie for FOX Cliff worked closely with me.
Cliff made interesting creative set ups, great shots along with Cliff’s beautiful lightning the women’s faces looked stunning.
With Cliff’s ability to execute awesome fast creative camera setups for the camera team, also it was a pleasure having Cliff operate Camera/Steadicam for a few shots.
As a Director Cliff supported my vision 100%, listing to me and followed my directions like a PRO.
He also understands and appreciates the vast capabilities of his tools.
Plus, and this is a big plus... He’s passionate and loves to share his gift.”
“Cliff is not only an extremely talented Director of Photography, but he brings innovation, inventiveness, efficiency and speed along with collaborative creativity along with him on every project. Most importantly, his attitude inspires the camera team and the rest of the crew to accomplish the impossible and push creative boundaries, while maintaining a positive demeanor and a passion for cinematic beauty that is surpassed by few in this business.”
“Having just worked with Cliff on a very ambitious action film I was very impressed by his energy, passion, ability to work quickly, efficiently, bring out a big bag of toys and turn out a product that looked like we had five times the resources we actually had. Never complains and always solution oriented.”
“Cliff is my first call and is great Director of photography. Cliff is a master of lighting women’s faces. Classic lighting with a soft look. Making an actress look there best, Cliff is truly a artist of light. Also Cliff has being my first pick as A Camera Steadicam Operator for over 20 years and now he is my only pick for Director of Photography.”
“This guy gets it done, one of the fastest, optimistic, energetic DP’s I have ever had the pleasure of working with and never failed to move heaven and earth to bring my vision to life in what was an insanely fast paced shoot on a tight schedule and somehow managed to maintain a gloss to his imagery throughout. A listener, a collaborator and a joy to be around on set.”
“I’ve worked with Cliff on ten movies so far and to each he brought a unique eye as DOP that created amazing onscreen esthetics and moods. Beyond his creative strengths, Cliff also manages quick set ups, adapts well to changes thrown at him mid-production and, most importantly, is quick to provide solutions that don’t increase the budget.
From experience I know I can rely on Cliff to be on time, on budget and deliver high quality.
One of my fondest anecdotes from working with Cliff comes from when he joined us for a shoot in China. I watched Cliff explain to the non English speaking crew how he wanted a diffusion-screen above a shoot car for a specific lighting effect. When the production crew arrived to shoot the scene, everyone — including Cliff — was shocked to see a screen stretched three stories high above the car strung by cables between two buildings. It was certainly a lot of work well done, but it wasn’t right for the shot. Cliff, true to form, took it in stride. He broke everyone for lunch and then rigged the screen himself just above the vehicle. He made sure we made the day and got the lighting we wanted. This is just one example of his commitment to the production.
Cliff’s technical knowledge is exceptional with access to toys most independent producers on a budget can’t afford. But Cliff somehow finds a way for these to add on- screen value to the production.
I recommend Cliff Hokanson without hesitation for any budget level production and always look forward to working with him since it puts my mind at ease to know at least with the DOP, the production is in very capable hands.”
“I recently worked with Cliff and found him to be an incredibly intuitive cameraman and the perfect balance of both creative and technical. We were working in extremely cold conditions with many production curveballs. Throughout the shoot, Cliff was able to change direction at the drop of a dime and maintained a positive outlook on set. A pleasure to work with Cliff.”
“I love working with Cliff, he’s connected with my vision and creative process with an amazing ease and intuition. His passion to make each shot the best it could be is contagious, his skills, experience and collaborative approach make Cliff an absolute pleasure to work with. ”
“I’ve worked with Cliff on five music videos now, and am continually amazed at the energy and passion he brings to each project. He is fast, efficient, and full of creative ideas. Best of all, he shoots all of his footage with a ‘big screen’ sensibility that makes every single shot look amazing. Cliff’s dedication to his work has helped us tremendously in promoting music, and he is the only person that I want to make music videos with.”
“Cliff is a first rate DP. Fast, creative and innovative. Once a “look” is established, he is tenacious in maintaining it. No indecision, no hedging, no wasting valuable lighting time.
Cliff earned my trust over decades of projects together that literally took us around the world. He came to understand, now preaches the notion, that ‘if I have to ask… its too late’.
If you circle the globe with a person and at the end remain not only alive but friends, that tells you all you need to know about his character.”
“I was lucky to have Cliff film one of my short films.
He has gone above and beyond to help me as a new director on set. With a creative eye, a brilliant and natural knack for story telling, he brought idea from conception to completion. He continuously went the extra mile and ultimately delivered a project better I ever imagined it could have been. With such positive and energetic nature that uplifts everyone around him - he will always be my go to Director of Photography.”
“I have made many movies with Cliff and I hope to do more. He’s creatively open and inspired, with a great skill set to achieve any look and style. Cliff is a great partner who drives hard himself to succeed at finding the best possible balance of creative vision and practical limits. Of the many Directors who’ve worked with Cliff and I on a show, each one has expressed how much they enjoyed their experience”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Cliff several times —as me being the director, and he as the Director of Photography. Most recently, we have worked on a thriller that garnered multiple awards; which was in due part to Cliff’s amazing cinematography.
Cliff is somewhat known as a legend, as anyone who knows him knows that he is simply just THAT good! He is experienced and creative enough to make shots that one might figure are be impossible but he makes them plausible. He knows how to make amazing into exceptional. I can only think of positive things when it comes to Cliff and his great work. From his lighting to quick a pace, and collaborative and open positive non-confrontational attitude — Cliff is the first choice. If he is an option for consideration on an upcoming project, I highly recommend him!”