Paul Bertolino started working in Rentals in our New York office but after moving to Los Angeles three years ago he's been the Rental Coordinator in our Burbank location ever since. We found out that he's shot twenty films since starting to work for Abel and thirty-three projects in total – who better to interview for a Staff Spotlight? 
AbelCine: Tell us a bit about your experience outside of AbelCine.
Paul Bertolino: Outside of my work at Abel, I freelance as a cinematographer. I have also been working on color grading and have served as the colorist on almost all of the projects I shot recently.
What initally drew you to the industry?
I was formally trained in Fine Arts while studying Film / Animation / Video at Rhode Island School of Design, so I came from more of a visual background than a technical one. Having a foundation in drawing and painting has definitely influenced the way that I light and compose when on set. Rather than focusing just on the technical, I've learned how to seek out the gear that fits my aesthetic, instead of the newest or most expensive. In the end it's the cinematography that should raise eyebrows, not soley the fact that you used the newest technology. I found it much easier to develop a style within my cinematography having already developed a visual style in other mediums beforehand. I've always sort of had my footing in both the art world and the cinema world, so the role of cinematographer has always seemed like the perfect fit for me since a young age.
What's your best advice when it comes to choosing the right equipment for any given project?
Don't just rely on the gear to create your imagery. Gear is a tool. No matter how advanced technology becomes, it's the human element that maintains cinematography as an art form. Pick the gear that gives you the look you are trying to achieve. There are so many cameras and lenses out there. Do tests and figure out what works with your style. The most expensive does not always mean the best. In Rentals, I've noticed the lifespan of gear popularity tends to plummet whenever something new is announced and introduced into our inventory. Each new piece of gear can be an exciting addition to your arsenal, but don’t forget about the other pieces that you fell in love with before.
How has working at AbelCine benefitted you?
The hands on experience with gear that AbelCine offers its clients and employees is what makes it such a remarkable institution. Beyond just running a business, there is a genuine interest in the content that the client is creating as well. I feel like AbelCine focuses on the needs of the individual and helps them to figure out what it is that they are looking for. AbelCine is the perfect place for artists working within the highly technical world of film because, as a company, it offers information and a level of human interaction that is lacking elsewhere. AbelCine goes beyond just regurgitated manufacturer specs, and gives us the opportunity to see what those specs actually mean in a practical way and guides us toward the tech that works for us.
This interview has been slightly edited and condensed.
