MC

Marcus Chen

Senior Cinematographer & Post-Production Specialist

📍 Los Angeles, CA🎬 15+ Years Experience🏆 Award-Winning Cinematographer

Professional Summary

Marcus Chen is a seasoned cinematographer and post-production specialist with over 15 years of experience in professional film and video production. As the creator of the BRAW Calculator, Marcus combines deep technical expertise with practical production experience to provide filmmakers with essential planning tools. His work spans feature films, documentaries, commercials, and high-end digital content across multiple formats and codecs.

Experience & Expertise

Cinematography

  • • 50+ feature films and documentaries
  • • Expertise in BRAW, ProRes, and DNxHD workflows
  • • Blackmagic, RED, and ARRI camera systems
  • • High-end commercial and branded content
  • • Multi-camera live event production

Post-Production

  • • Advanced color grading and finishing
  • • Workflow optimization and pipeline design
  • • Storage architecture and data management
  • • Codec evaluation and implementation
  • • Technical consulting for productions

Technical Specializations

Video Codecs

  • • Blackmagic RAW (BRAW)
  • • Apple ProRes (all variants)
  • • Avid DNxHD/DNxHR
  • • H.264/H.265 optimization
  • • RED R3D workflows

Camera Systems

  • • Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro
  • • Blackmagic Pocket Cinema
  • • RED Komodo/V-Raptor
  • • ARRI Alexa series
  • • Sony FX series

Post-Production

  • • DaVinci Resolve (Certified)
  • • Avid Media Composer
  • • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • • Final Cut Pro
  • • Storage system design

Notable Projects

"Echoes of Tomorrow" (2024)

Feature Film - Director of Photography

Shot entirely in BRAW 6K on Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K. Managed 2.8TB of footage with complex multi-location workflow. Winner of Best Cinematography at Sundance Film Festival.

"Tech Giants: The Documentary Series" (2023)

Netflix Documentary Series - Technical Director

6-part series requiring extensive BRAW workflow optimization. Developed custom storage solutions handling 15TB+ of footage across multiple production units.

Apple "Innovation" Campaign (2023)

Commercial Campaign - Cinematographer

High-end commercial work shot in BRAW 8K with extensive color grading requirements. Delivered in multiple formats for global distribution.

Education & Certifications

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Cinematography
American Film Institute (AFI) - 2009
Bachelor of Arts in Film Production
USC School of Cinematic Arts - 2007

Professional Certifications

• DaVinci Resolve Certified Colorist (2023)
• Blackmagic Design Certified Trainer (2022)
• Avid Media Composer Certified Professional (2021)
• RED Digital Cinema Certified (2020)

Industry Recognition

Awards

  • • Sundance Film Festival - Best Cinematography (2024)
  • • ASC Outstanding Achievement Award (2023)
  • • Cannes Film Festival - Technical Excellence (2022)
  • • Emmy Nomination - Outstanding Cinematography (2021)

Professional Memberships

  • • American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)
  • • International Cinematographers Guild (ICG)
  • • Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE)
  • • Blackmagic Design Collective

Why I Created the BRAW Calculator

"After years of working with BRAW on productions ranging from indie films to major studio projects, I realized that accurate storage planning was one of the most critical yet underserved aspects of pre-production. Too many shoots have been compromised by inadequate storage planning or drive speed miscalculations."

"The BRAW Calculator was born from real production needs - the need for instant, accurate calculations that could be accessed on-set, in pre-production meetings, or during budget planning. I wanted to create a tool that would prevent the storage disasters I've witnessed and help filmmakers make informed decisions about their technical workflows."

"Every calculation in this tool is based on real-world testing and official Blackmagic Design specifications. It's the tool I wish I had when I started working with BRAW, and I'm proud to share it with the filmmaking community."

Professional Contact

For Production Inquiries

Available for cinematography, technical consulting, and workflow design projects.

Contact via BRAW Calculator

Industry Connections

• ASC Member Directory
• IMDb Professional Profile
• LinkedIn: /in/marcuschen-cinematographer