Step behind the lens with award-winning cinematographer Shana Hagan, ASC, whose poetic visual storytelling has illuminated some of the most compelling films, documentaries, and TV series of our time. In this deeply personal and reflective episode, host Chris Stafford sits down with Hagan to explore the emotional language of cinematography, the craft of capturing truth through light, and the inner journey that has shaped her distinguished career. From her early inspirations to her celebrated collaborations, Hagan offers...
Step behind the lens with award-winning cinematographer Shana Hagan, ASC, whose poetic visual storytelling has illuminated some of the most compelling films, documentaries, and TV series of our time. In this deeply personal and reflective episode, host Chris Stafford sits down with Hagan to explore the emotional language of cinematography, the craft of capturing truth through light, and the inner journey that has shaped her distinguished career. From her early inspirations to her celebrated collaborations, Hagan offers rare insight into the creative process—how she balances intuition and technique, builds trust with directors and subjects, and stays present in the emotional heartbeat of a scene. She shares wisdom on navigating the evolving industry, honoring authenticity, and continually reinventing herself behind the camera. Whether you're a filmmaker, visual artist, or lover of cinematic storytelling, this intimate conversation invites you to see the world through new eyes—one frame at a time.
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Award-winning Cinematographer, Shana Hagan, ASC. In the words of fellow cinematographer Gretchen Warthen: “Shana is the biggest documentary female DP/Operator in the world… and one of the kindest DPs I have ever worked with on set. You would never know who she is in the cinematography world without looking her up.” Her work includes DPing the 1997 Oscar-winning Documentary Short BREATHING LESSONS: THE LIFE & WORK OF MARK O’BRIEN and shooting additional cinematography for the 2014 Oscar-winning Best Documentary Feature: 20 FEET FROM STARDOM. She worked on the Oscar nominated 2010 Documentary FOOD, INC., and DP’d the 2020 Oscar nominated Documentary Short: WALK RUN CHA-CHA as well as the 2005 Sundance Film Festival Award Special Jury Prize Winner - AFTER INNOCENCE and the 2012 Sundance Film Festival Award Grand Jury Prize nominee - THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES. Shana has firmly embedded herself in the industry. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to parents Robert Hagan, MD and Peggy Hagan, a Girl Scout Camp Director and Troop Leader, Shana is the middle of three children. Her parents instilled many important values in her which have helped her throughout her life and career. As a schoolgirl, she became a competitive swimmer at the age of five through to her Freshman year at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where she attended film school. It was a natural career path for the enthusiastic young photographer who had already developed a keen eye for filmmaking. Shana was the ‘official’ family videographer with a curious mind, appetite for storytelling and a passion that grew as she established the foundation for her craft, opening doors and creating opportunities right out of school. Shana was the first woman to shoot on the hit reality series SURVIVOR and was nominated for an Emmy for her work on SURVIVOR: CHINA. She shot four seasons on NBC's PARKS AND RECREATION, was the 2nd Unit DP on Netflix’s ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and has shot commercial spots for Disney, Electronic Arts, Kohl’s, the US Army, Kodak, Verizon and others. Shana’s current scripted work includes the critically acclaimed, Peabody Award-winning series SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE for HBO and Fox’s half hour docu-comedy WELCOME TO FLATCH. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Peter, daughter Iris, two dogs and two cats.
https://www.shanahagan.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0353248/
Instagram: @shanahaganasc
https://www.instagram.com/shanahaganasc/
Shana's Playlist:
"I love classical:
- “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copland – so cinematic and nostalgic for summers on Grandma and Grandpa’s farm in Oklahoma.
- Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals: 7 / Aquarium”
- Vivaldi – “Four Seasons / Spring”
I love world music:
- Ali Farka Toure “Kaira”
- Cesaria Evora “Sodade”
- Buena Vista Social Club “Chan Chan”
- The Chieftains “The Wind That Shakes the Barley / The Reel With the Beryle”
More random faves and some new stuff too:
- Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”
- Bill Withers “Lovely Day”
- U2 “Beautiful Day”
- Coldplay “A Sky Full of Stars”
- Bonobo “Recurring”
- Khruangbin “Texas Sun”
- Lord Huron “The Night We Met”
- Radiohead “Big Sleep”
- Black Pumas “Colors”
Some favorite female artists in visual arts:
"I absolutely love Dorothea Lange’s photography. Her work during the depression is some of the best documentary photography there is. See “Migrant Mother” and it’ll rip your heart out. also love Georgia O’Keeffe – did a doc about her years ago and was just in love with her story, her passion for her work, her friends (Steiglitz, Ansel Adams, etc). Would love to have a drink with her."
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Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com
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