Lights flicker on. Cables snake across the floor. The director and cinematographer fine-tune the next shot while the AC adjusts focus and the gaffer tweaks the lighting. The production designer checks every detail. A film set is a well-oiled machine–and like any machine, it only works when every part runs in sync.
So, how do you build a crew you can trust? People who stay sharp under pressure and calm when things go sideways?
Cinematographer Nick Matthews–whose credits include Saw X and Mob Land–has spent years building high-performing crews. What is his secret? It’s more than technical skill. It’s about trust, mindset, and knowing how to lead in chaos.
Here are his five key insights for building a strong film crew.
Cinematographer Nick Matthews on the set
1. Hire People Who Won’t Let You Down
Nick Matthews takes hiring seriously–thorough interviews, multiple references, and a sharp eye for attitude under pressure.
“These are the people who can make or break your day emotionally,” he says. “They’re the ones you lean on when you’re sitting in the trenches.”
Instead of asking surface-level questions like “Are you good at pulling focus?” – he already assumes technical competence. Instead, he digs deeper:
“How do you collaborate with a DP?”
“What gear do you prefer to use?”
“What’s your go-to approach for lighting a large daytime interior?”
He’s not just checking for skill–he’s looking for emotional resilience. That’s why he always calls two or three references.
“I ask, ‘At 2 a.m., when everyone’s tired, can you count on this person?’ That’s what matters.”
At the same time, it’s not just about endurance. Crew diversity also shapes the creative process.
“If you’re working with a female director and every person on set is a man, she is going to feel out of place,” Nick points out. “The crew must reflect the world, so the creative environment feels open and collaborative.”
Even with careful vetting, sometimes the wrong person ends up on set. “You will not always hire the right person every time,” he admits. “If it is not a good fit, recognize it early and part ways quickly.”
Cinematographer Nick Matthews during an exclusive interview for MasterShot
2: Think Strategically About Representation
Early in his career, Matthews thought landing an agent or joining the union was the key to success. Now, he sees it differently.
“An agent will come to you when the time is right. But it doesn’t hurt to explore your options,” he says. “The truth is, most of the time, you still get most jobs through relationships. But there are moments where an agent opens doors you would not have access to.”
Great agents do more than handle contracts–they help shape your career trajectory. “The best agents work with you to build a strategy. They help you choose projects that align with your long-term goals,” Matthews explains.
But he cautions against signing with the wrong person. “Signing with just anyone means giving away 10% of your income for no reason,” Nick warns. “It is like dating. You need to find the right person for you. And you want somebody who cares about your work and is passionate about what you are doing.”
For Matthews, agents helped get him in the room, especially with producers unfamiliar with his name. “Getting in the room is only step one. It’s still up to you to land the job.”
Cinematographer Nick Matthews on the set
3. Treat Pre-Production and Post as Creative Goldmines
For Matthews, pre-production is where a film’s look and success are forged. He starts with deep conversations about tone, color, and theme. Then, he heads to location scouts with a DSLR to shoot test footage and study how light behaves in the space.
“Sometimes a location feels right in person but not on camera. You need both perspectives.”
On Saw X, Nick Matthews and the team tested every trap with stunts and prosthetics.
“Even though we couldn’t light the sets fully in advance, we locked in color palettes–fluorescent greens, deep reds, sodium vapor ambers–so we knew exactly what would work on set.”
By the time shooting starts, Nick Matthews ensures a clear creative foundation–but enough flexibility to adapt when inspiration strikes.
Ready to turn your vision into action?
MasterShot simplifies prep, schedules, and communication so you can lead with clarity.
What about the role of cinematographers in post-production? For many of them, the creative process doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling. Nick Matthews admits that his involvement varies by project.
“If the director trusts me, they will show me a cut and get my thoughts. But sometimes, they don’t even have a final cut themselves,” he says.
At this stage, Nick’s expertise as a cinematographer is most useful in color grading. This stage can be tedious a bit, but it’s essential for maintaining the film’s visual integrity.
“I’ll fight for my time to be in there with the colorists,” he admits. “I want to make sure that we can get the images that we spent all this money and time running these lenses and lights to shoot. I want to make sure that they land exactly as we were planning.”
Behind the scenes of the shooting process of Saw X
4: Use Pre-Visualization to Rewrite the Script Visually
Pre-visualization isn’t optional–it’s essential. Nick Matthews collaborates closely with directors to shape the film’s visual language, often by watching and analyzing films together.
“What about this movie speaks to our story? Why did you want me to watch this?” he’ll ask.
Then comes testing–cameras, gels, costumes, and makeup. He even experiments with side, back, and top light on actors to find their best angles. “I want to know in advance what angles and lighting conditions suit them best.”
Shot listing is another crucial step because it’s a way to rewrite the script visually. Cinematographer Nick Matthews uses everything from traditional text documents to tools like Artemis viewfinders, overhead diagrams, and on-location photography. But even with meticulous planning, the best moments often come from spontaneity.
“You need strong prep so that when you are on set, you can be creative–you can ‘play jazz’ with the scene,” he explains. “Sometimes the light hits a certain way, or an actor brings something unexpected, and you have to be able to adapt and capture magic at the moment.”
Ready to turn your vision into action?
MasterShot simplifies prep, schedules, and communication so you can lead with clarity.
He also works closely with the production designer to craft a unified visual palette.
“They infuse it into the set design, and I use it in my lighting–keying with one color, filling with another, accenting with a third. Sometimes we go monochrome. Other times, we create strict rules–no fill light, no backlight, no edge lighting. It gives the film a distinct look.”
This approach paid off on Saw X, where every Jigsaw trap scene was planned precisely, but executed with space for discovery.
Behind the scenes of the shooting process of Saw X
5: Stay Confident in Your Team Even After Missed Opportunities
Rejection is part of the filmmaking process. Cinematographer Nick Matthews reminds filmmakers not to take it personally.
“What’s not meant for you won’t land in your lap, and what is meant for you will show up for you,” he states. “You don’t want every job, and not every job is right for you.”
Even when it stings, you have to move forward and recognize that like just because you didn’t get this job, it doesn’t take away anything that you have already done.
“I put everything into that pitch–and now I have to let it go,” he admits. “I’m bummed, but it’s time to find the next thing.”
Nick Matthews believes that if you made it into the room, you were a real contender. If they interviewed you, it means they saw potential.
“If they interviewed you, they saw your potential. Out of hundreds, they thought your work was worth a closer look.”
Final Thoughts
The truth is, filmmaking is a long game. If you keep showing up, your moment will come. The best cinematographers don’t just master cameras and lighting–they master collaboration. They build strong crews, resiliently navigate setbacks, and fine-tune every visual detail from pre-production to post.
Watch the full interview with Nick Matthews for exclusive insights into Saw X, including working with Tobin Bell, handling multicamera setups, and the intense pre-production that brought the Jigsaw world to life.
Looking to streamline your production? MasterShot helps you organize, collaborate, and align your crew so you can focus on the creative. Start planning smarter today.