In the final installment of Panavision's Women Making History interview series, Panavision President and CEO Kim Snyder focuses the conversation on the participants' inspirations.
As this years Womens History Month draws to a close, we share our sincere thanks to the many women who participated in this interview series for sharing their stories and being incredible role models for the youngest members of the industry as they begin to rise into future leaders.
Read the rest of the series here:
Part 1: On the impact of Women's History Month
Part 2: On valuable career advice
Part 3: On mentorship
Part 4: On career highlights
Kim Snyder (President and CEO, Panavision): What sparked your interest in your career, and what keeps you inspired today?
Patti Lee, ASC (cinematographer): When I was growing up, I never imagined I would be a cinematographer. Careers that were stable and had a clear pathway forward were valued in my family. I went to UCLA and was trying to decide between a life in the sciences or in art. Being a cinematographer gave me the opportunity to have both.
I love puzzles jigsaw, crossword, logic, you name it. As a DP, I'm solving puzzles all day, but the puzzle is way more complex, with multiple possibilities. What's the best way to shoot this scene? How do I make it feel more intimate? How do I achieve what I want in 15 minutes? Every day brings new puzzles and new solutions.
Patti Lee, ASC (photo by Bill Inoshita)
Terra Bliss (managing director, Panavision UK and Ireland): I've been inspired by photography for as long as I can remember. Whether it was an image created for an art exhibit or a magazine cover, I appreciated the possibility of creating a feeling or telling a story from an image. My first real job after college was at a studio; I got the bug for the film industry then. I had no idea there were so many people involved in making a film! I finally understood all those names and positions on the end credits. After working at the studio, I became interested in post production and camera rental, servicing filmmakers behind the scene a blend of technology, teamwork and problem solving. Working with the Panavision team, I see the passion, ingenuity and care that happens behind the scenes assisting filmmakers in their craft. That inspires me every day.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC (cinematographer): I used to watch films all the time with my best friend in college. We probably watched Heat and Trainspotting twice a week. These films made us feel alive, confident, human, and were so visceral. My mother would also let me watch Woody Allen films with her at a young age. I remember feeling so confused and intrigued by them afterwards. Those films presented emotions I didn't fully understand at that moment. I can clearly remember times in my life and the films that were directly related to those eras. This is the power of film. It creates a memory that attaches you to a specific emotional phase in your life.
I was so enamored by the filmmaking process, I had to find out who was making those images possible and causing these emotions. After I left college, I researched what a cinematographer did.
Today I continue to be inspired by great films and filmmakers. I recently saw Anatomy of a Fall, and it moved me it was one of the most invigorating films I'd seen all year. Even though I work in film now and know what goes on behind the scenes, I'm still moved when I see an amazing film. It will always have the power to transport you and cause a shift in the way you see the world.
Lesley Kantor (chief marketing officer, Panavision): I have always been fascinated by how things work.' The experience of watching movies and television and wondering how ideas went from script to the screen captured my curiosity as I child. Who did what jobs? How did a scene get made? My curiosity grew into a passion for pursuing a career in the entertainment industry so I could be a little part of that magic. As I started learning more about the various types of professional fields that make up this industry, I began to build interest in the viewer's experience and the power of the brand-consumer relationship. That led me to my current role as a brand marketing professional.
Alice Brooks ASC (cinematographer): I have always been attracted to light. When I was an infant, I pointed up to a round streetlamp and said my first word, moon.' My early years were spent on sets acting in TV commercials. I was fascinated when dark soundstages were transformed into magical places as each lamp turned on. In high school, I spent my lunchtime in the darkroom figuring out how to capture light on a piece of celluloid and then print it onto a piece of light-sensitive paper. Light is everything to me, and a day doesn't go by that I don't feel that same childlike excitement as I see a ray of light transform the ordinary into something magnificent.
Alice Brooks, ASC (photo by Macall B. Polay, SMPSP)
Laura Borowsky (vice president, business development, Light Iron): Filmmaking has always been a passion of mine. Working with the creatives that inspire and mold storytelling with such verve and excitement makes each and every film I pursue, and then work on, a passion project. I can only hope that my enthusiasm for the medium shows through to my clients, who put their complete trust in me.
Filmmaking is a very personal art form, and to have a window into that process is incredibly satisfying. It never gets old. Each project feels new and exciting.
Kira Kelly, ASC (cinematographer): Still photography and a love of movies were what first sparked an interest in filmmaking for me. However, it wasn't until I found myself in the lighting department working on a student film that I found my love of cinematography. I remember being so excited by this re
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
COW Jobs: Visual Storyteller - Emeryville, CA
Brie Clayton October 9, 2026
0 Comments
Visual Storyteller
October 7, 2026 COW Jobs: Cinematographer...
09/10/2026
Master 3-Point Lighting in After Effects With an Orbiting Light Rig
Graham Quince October 9, 2026
0 Comments
Ever wondered why your 3D renders in Afte...
09/10/2026
nxtedition will exhibit for the first time at Asias Broadcasting & Infotainment Show (A.B.I.S) in Mumbai, bringing its integrated production platform and latest...
09/10/2026
Today's AI Isn't the Answer
Andy Marken October 8, 2026
0 Comments
Let's say you're telling the truth, and this is all a dream. - Do...
09/10/2026
Ikegami to Introduce New UHK-X700VN Camera at NAB New York, Offering Advanced Cr...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/10/2026
Witness world firsts, new arrivals and the work that goes on behind the scenes a...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
08/10/2026
Modern venues have come a long way since the tinny, echoing audio of the mid 20t...
08/10/2026
ESPN's first Super Bowl production will stream in English and Spanish on Disney+, while the ESPN App carries the full slate of game, ManningCast, studio, an...
08/10/2026
From high-school videoboards to War Eagle Productions, the Opelika native is learning how to lead shows and capture big moments
The future of live sports produ...
08/10/2026
The Television Academy and Prime Video have announced a six-year agreement making Prime Video the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards beginning with the 20...
08/10/2026
Techex will exhibit at NAB Show New York 2026 (Booth 623, Javits Center, October...
08/10/2026
X Games has announced the appointment of Steve Rogers as Chief Operating Officer. Rogers previously served as COO of World Supercross and spent nearly a decade ...
08/10/2026
Fonn Group has appointed Trevor Spielmann as Sales Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Spielmann joins from EVS, where he held sales and business de...
08/10/2026
The flagship program will originate from major PG events with a four-camera production, live distribution across PGTV, social platforms
Perfect Game is bringin...
08/10/2026
Innovation rarely happens in a vacuum. More often, it happens at the point of collision: when worlds that have run on separate tracks begin to converge. That is...
08/10/2026
For decades, the production and broadcast services business has run on a familia...
08/10/2026
Uplynk, Zixi, BroadView Software, and Grass Valley have published The IP Converg...
08/10/2026
The NFL has announced the return of the Big Data Bowl, the league's analytics competition, now in its ninth year and again powered by AWS. Registration is o...
08/10/2026
Eutelsat has renewed its partnership with T l diffusion d'Alg rie (TDA), Algeria's national broadcasting network operator, for continued distribution of...
08/10/2026
Disney will livestream Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, alongside the game's broadcast on ESPN and ABC. All Disney subscribers in the United States wi...
08/10/2026
RHStv and Red House Streaming have announced an expansion of their partnership w...
08/10/2026
Gray Media has announced a distribution agreement with TEGNA and DAZN to simulca...
08/10/2026
SVG readers can save 10% on registration and receive a complimentary Solutions H...
08/10/2026
PROTON Camera Innovations GmbH has been named a recipient of a 2026 Technology a...
08/10/2026
Industry leaders discuss real-world cloud workflows for live game production, pl...
08/10/2026
The next-gen audio technology joins Dolby Vision as part of Apple TV's immersive F1 experience...
08/10/2026
David France, Jesse Short Bull, Mato Wayuhi, N. Bird Runningwater, Jodi Archambau, Jhane Myers, Paul McGuire, Amber Morning Star Byars, Holly Macarro, Nick Tils...
08/10/2026
Dynamic panning plug-ins get an upgrade
Sound Particles have just announced major updates for two of their popular dynamic panning plug-ins. Energy Panner 2...
08/10/2026
New expandable instrument boasts full DMNO engine
UDO Audio have just announced the upcoming release of a new, expandable synth that packs the power of the ...
08/10/2026
Two new subwoofers added to monitoring line-up
ADAM Audio's monitoring range has just been expanded with two new DSP-equipped subwoofers, the Sub8 PRO a...
08/10/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
08/10/2026
Calrec gives broadcasters freedom of choice at NAB Show New York We're looking forward to meeting up with you all at NAB New York on 21st-22nd October.
Cal...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will showcase its next generation of media orchestration services at NAB S...
08/10/2026
Clear-Com played a critical role in the production communications infrastructure for Rock in Rio 2026, one of the world's largest and most recognized music...
08/10/2026
Sohonet Launches ClearView Rush: A Leap Forward in Studio Review, Built for Crea...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
In the final installment of Panavision's Women Making History interview series, Panavision President and CEO Kim Snyder focuses the conversation on the participants' inspirations.
