Today we’d like to introduce you to Aidan Kostich.
Hi Aidan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello, my name is Aidan Kostich. I’m a 22-year-old director of photography from the Inland Empire/Los Angeles region. A little bit about my journey to becoming a filmmaker: Growing up, I always had a strong interest in art. I grew up drawing a lot, and when my freshman year of high school came around, I decided to take a drawing class. This drawing class really allowed me to express myself creatively, and I loved the process of transforming a blank piece of paper into a whole unique scene that reflects me. After my art class, I also wanted to take another creative class, so I ended up taking beginner video <a href="https://cinemamix360.com/2026/09/04/an-ibc-spotlight-for-unique-3d-talent-tracking-in-qimera-virtual-production/” title=”An IBC Spotlight For Unique 3D Talent Tracking in Qimera Virtual Production”>production my junior year of high school, which was all online due to COVID. I really enjoyed this class even though it was mostly just editing and not much shooting, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the advanced video production class going into my senior year. I talked a lot with my friend Juan, who was also in the video production class, and he convinced me to take the advanced class with him. This was the decision that started my career. I met so many talented people in this class, who I still talk to and work with years later, and it allowed me to express myself creatively in a way I didn’t think I could. I fell in love with film production, mostly the post-production side of things, and would edit for countless hours. Outside of school, I would also edit short gaming montages that were a lot of fun to make. Shoutout to Mr. Cataldo, Juan Brambila, and the film program at Rancho Cucamonga High School; I couldn’t have done it without them. Coming out of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in film, so I went to college at the University of La Verne. This is where I found myself and what I really wanted to do, which is to be a director of photography or cinematographer. Not to mention, I also met some of the most amazing friends at La Verne whom I continue to talk to and even work with outside of school. Shoutout to Morgan Sandler for also being an amazing professor and helping guide my career. I am truly thankful to have met him and been taught by him. I worked countless hours throughout college on film sets that I was able to get on, and couldn’t be happier and more grateful for the information I have learned, as well as the amazing people that I have met on these sets. Shoutout to Danny Rich for bringing me on a lot of these sets and being a mentor for me. I continue to work on set, mostly as an AC (assistant camera) or in the lighting/grip department as a gaffer or key grip. I have had the opportunity in the past years to work on some amazing projects, such as an Ice Cube music video, a concert featuring Sting and Shaggy, and more. Working in these departments has helped me become a better cinematographer and really focus on what works, what doesn’t work, and developing my style of cinematography. I continue to learn and develop as a cinematographer, lighting scenes and creating that unique visual style, just like paint on a canvas.
Some shoutouts I wanted to include that I may have not mentioned:
My parents, who continue to believe in me, support me in any way they can, and trusted whatever career path I took, as long as I was happy and had success aswell as the people that I have met that have pathed a pathway for my career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been the smoothest road. I’ve failed a lot before in my career, but the great thing about failing is that it teaches you what to do next time so you don’t make that mistake again. There have also been struggles with staying motivated, which I think everyone goes through. I’ve been able to keep myself motivated by striving for creative reward in projects and trying new things in each project.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a filmmaker. I specialize in cinematography, which is the art of visual storytelling through elements that include lighting, Camera work (lens choices, camera movement, and composition) to bring a story to life. I’m known for my narrative work, using these elements to really tell a story and create a unique visual identity for my work. I am most proud of how much I’ve grown as a filmmaker. I look back at projects from years ago and think about how bad they are but how much I have really grown. Something that sets me apart from others is my visual identity as a cinematographer. I continue to grow my visual aesthetic and style, but it is something that sets me apart from other people, as it is unique to me.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
More so, not my city but the region I live in, The Inland Empire. I love that the Inland Empire is starting to make a name for itself in the film industry, similar to the name that Los Angeles started for itself in the industry. What I like least is how underrepresented it is. Since it neighbors Los Angeles County, everyone goes to LA for film and doesn’t think much about the IE.
- Website:https://aidankostich04.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aidankostich/
- LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidankostichdp/
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