If you had told Chase Kaufman that he would have been an artist years ago, he would never have believed you. Still, over the past few years, Chase has become an exceptional photographer and videographer. In his senior year, he has not only become the official photographer for the Belmont Hill football team, but he has also created his own brand and Instagram account with over 900 followers.
Chase began his artistic career with a camera of his own for his birthday over 7 years ago and started as a photographer, routinely capturing his brother’s hockey games in his spare time. As he got older, his cameras became increasingly advanced, but he grew bored with only taking photos and wanted more from his camera, so he began experimenting with videography. His first attempts as a videographer began with his brother’s hockey games–like his first attempts at photography–but these clips would allow him to practice filmmaking, including stitching and editing, two techniques used by filmmakers and videographers to piece together clips and vital for any sports photographer.
With his newfound videography skills, Chase began building his online brand. Kickstarted by friends and mutual connections, Chase created an Instagram account (@ckprods) to post his clips and photos, and he was quickly asked by former coaches to film practices for any sport he had previously played, such as hockey, lacrosse, or football. As Chase’s brand grew, so did his love for videography. “A lot of what I do right now, though, is just for fun. I do paid work, but the majority of what I do for videography, at least in the school year, is for fun, I don’t wannt it to be about the money.” Chase has reeatedly stated that he prides himself on never charging for any film he takes of friends or Belmont Hill kids, saying that the most important part of filmmaking for him is the community. He mostly does his filmmaking to help his friends and peers. He refuses to charge for any Belmont Hill event or for any specific clips for a Belmont Hill student, saying the whole reason he began the business was to be a part of the community, staying involved with sports teams he otherwise would not.
Becoming the main filmmaker for the Belmont Hill football team has been a very enjoyable experience, but it has also tested Chase’s abilities. Most recently, he has been experimenting with Photoshop and graphic design to build and sustain his online and social media presence. He says that learning new things, like graphic design, is a big part of what keeps videography so interesting to him.
When asked about his potential future in filmmaking and videography, Chase said that he plans to continue filming sports in college, allowing him to stay involved in whatever community he finds himself in. Outside the sports world, Chase has looked into and is very interested in filmmaking and videography classes offered at Union College, which would take him out of sports and allow him to pursue different paths in filmmaking.
Though Chase does not plan to pursue filmmaking as a career after college; rather, he plans to keep it as a form of art he can enjoy and have fun with. Chase’s artistic career is one that is still growing and adapting, and has taken off in ways he would have never expected.
