Tamar Elizabeth Levine
Tamar Elizabeth Levine
Filmmaker / Photographer / Creative Director / Creative Producer
Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA
www.tamarlevine.com
instagram @tamarlevine
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I create visual stories. ”
Sometimes I do this with photography, sometimes video, sometimes a combination. I create content for magazines, album covers, music videos, concert visuals, advertising, really the sky's the limit!
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I have worked my ass off. I started taking photos and directing before I can even remember. A home movie exists of me directing my little friends in a film I wrote about a cat becoming friends with the moon for my sixth birthday party. I went to college for photography, where I put myself through school producing and retouching for various photographers. Then out of college I started off with tiny jobs and moved up from there.
How do you stand out in your field?
I believe I have a unique style, and I always push myself to develop it and get better with each job. I love a challenge. I'm also really good at finding really talented people to support me and collaborate with me. Collaboration is everything for me.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I'm in post-production on a music video for Warner Records, in pre-production on a series of spots for Lincoln Motors and Radio Disney. I'm writing a feature which is a passion project. I'm also retouching a couple editorial spreads I shot this last week.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My taste and style is ever-changing. However, I am generally drawn to visually stunning pieces that have a certain depth and story to them as you dive in a bit more. If someone just looks passively at a piece of mine and moves on, I feel as though I've failed. Although sometimes ambiguous, I like narrative, even in still photos.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Narrative- I would love to create a series or make a feature.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
My own doubt! I have been trying to push myself to write more, but when I get writer's block I move on to something I know I'm good at, that's a bit more mindless for me, such as retouching or pre-production on a project.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
1) Sales and 2) Archiving my work.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
In my 20's I would have told myself to sloooooooow down. I was in such a rush to "get to where I wanted to be", but we never really get there...so might as well enjoy the journey.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Gosh, I want to learn more about everything. Since I went to art school I kind of missed out on a great liberal arts education. I would love to learn more about history and psychology. I end up doing a lot of research on both for various projects, so would be cool to have someone I could call up to school me whenever I needed.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I would love to do work for non-profits and use my skills to make some sort of social, environmental, or political difference. Beyond that, I'm always up for supporting any sort of client with their content needs.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
One job that comes to mind was doing the visuals for the band Puscifer (Maynard from Tool's side project). I was in charge of creating original content for the entire concert, and I was given full creative freedom to do so. It was incredibly challenging considering we were working with a small budget (as most music projects are), but creatively it was very fulfilling. It also helped that everyone in the band was so great to work with.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
This varies. I weigh the amount of time it will take, how personally fulfilling it will be for me, and the usage/client. The best thing to do is to reach out as I'm always happy to chat!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Send an email to me@tamarlevine.com and tell me all the fun details about your project, including the timeline and budget. Also hilarious gifs are always welcome.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Always asking questions.
This member profile was originally published in October 2019.