Cinematographer, photographer, and visual artist Maria Perlifonova has a very distinct way of capturing life behind the camera. Her zeal for life and thirst for adventure has played a very instrumental role in her ability to transmit emotions and stories by means of photos and film. Recently, I had the opportunity and honor to discuss some of the methods that she utilizes. I’m sure you will find her words resourceful.
Warlock Asylum: Thank you very much for affording our readers the opportunity to learn about the deeper aspects of your career and life. In your own words, who is Maria Perlifonova?
Maria Perlifonova: My name is Maria Perlifonova, but many people know me by my nickname Marioski. I am a Los Angeles-based cinematographer, SOC Associate Camera Operator, and colorist.
Warlock Asylum: What sort of environment would you say captured your childhood? Please tell us about your early beginnings?
Maria Perlifonova: During my childhood, I received a gift from my grandparents. It was an old small Olympus camera. I started to have fun capturing everything I saw.
Warlock Asylum: What attracted you to the world of visual arts?
Maria Perlifonova: I was attracted to the ability to be able to show an object or a person in so many different ways. I liked it so much that I decided to continue to learn and study this skill.
Warlock Asylum: How did you fall in love with photography?
Maria Perlifonova: As I described previously, I fall in love with the process of capturing my environment and the people in it. I found different things in the same places, which leaves me so amazed.
Warlock Asylum: After falling in love with photography, what were some of the ways that you were able to improve your skills in this field?
Maria Perlifonova: I was attracted to some particular styles of photography. I researched different photographers and their distinct techniques. During my Google searches, I discovered what I needed to achieve similar results and also discovered my passion for analogic lenses and bokeh.
Warlock Asylum: What inspired you to pursue filmmaking after learning more about photography?
Maria Perlifonova: When I was studying photography, a reform happened and my course was shifted to audiovisual (same as filmmaking in this case). I wasn’t happy at the beginning but later I discovered beautiful parts of it.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the differences and similarities that you found to exist between filmmaking and photography?
Maria Perlifonova: I always was in love with cameras, so I will speak in terms of capturing an image. For me, it’s a lot of similarities. It’s all about capturing a frame, moment, beauty, creating light, creating something. Even in technical terms, it’s a lot of similarities, and both start from the same basic principles and then transform into deeper details. But basically, for me, it’s very much the same. It’s just two ways of expression and I am happy to understand both of them J. In this way, I can mix the techniques to achieve an interesting result.
Warlock Asylum: Since so much of our lives depend upon visual impressions, were there any life lessons learned from working behind the camera?
Maria Perlifonova: Yes! yes! I learned to observe and feel the importance of everything around me.
Warlock Asylum: What does being a cinematographer mean to you and how would you describe the value of this role in the process of creating films?
Maria Perlifonova: Being a cinematographer for me is being a creator of light or being able to manage the light as you want it. This is an extremely important part of the creation of a film. It helps to recreate a feeling director and writer was imagine in their mind.
Warlock Asylum: Pursuing an education in both photography and film has introduced you to different cultural settings such as studying audiovisual arts in Naples (Italy), and then later moving to Los Angeles (CA) in 2019 and studying Filmmaking at New York Film Academy. In what ways did your studies in different cultural backdrops prove to be an aid in the development of your work as a cinematographer?
Maria Perlifonova: I think studying first in Italy was very important. The country is full of history and beauty. Everywhere you go is amazing and also it has its own style, which is extremely important for imagination in cinematography, you have so many real examples of very interesting lighting. When I moved to LA I learned an “American” way. I think it’s always better to have more knowledge and styles to mix in order to find your own.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the awards and honors you’ve received as a director and cinematographer?
Maria Perlifonova: I won Best Student Director and Best First Time Director at ISA Film Festival and Best Woman Short at Indie Short Fest for the short film ‘Painted Survival” that I directed. It was an amazing experience, and it was a great Film Festival night.
Warlock Asylum: What were some of the struggles that you had to overcome in order to reach the level of success you enjoy thus far?
Maria Perlifonova: I had struggled with being a woman in the film industry in Italy. However, I find people in the USA are more open to women taking part in different careers.
Warlock Asylum: How are you able to balance out your career and time with family and friends?
Maria Perlifonova: I never had a problem managing my time. Usually, I find time for everything. My friends know that sometimes I can disappear while making a film.
Warlock Asylum: Have you experienced any opposition as a woman entering the field of filmmaking? If so, please explain.
Maria Perlifonova: Yes, I had a million situations where people were looking at me like, “what? Young and a woman? Nah “and not taking me seriously. But like a said before, in the US it’s much better and I really appreciate it.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the themes that you seek to convey in your work?
Maria Perlifonova: I want to transmit all types of feelings, bad and good, but transmit it very intensely.
Warlock Asylum: What can we expect to hear from Maria Perlifonova in the near future? Any final thoughts?
Maria Perlifonova: I only can say stay tuned for new amazing upcoming projects what I will share with you! News will be available on my website.
On behalf of Warlock Asylum International News, I would like to extend my gratitude once again and wish the lovely Maria Perlifonova all the best in her artistic endeavors. Readers can stay updated about Ms. Perlifonova and her work by visiting her website and/or the following links:
https://www.marioski.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10096684/
https://www.instagram.com/marioski.photo/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/perlifonova/
Warlock Asylum: Thank you very much for affording our readers the opportunity to learn about the deeper aspects of your career and life. In your own words, who is Maria Perlifonova?
Maria Perlifonova: My name is Maria Perlifonova, but many people know me by my nickname Marioski. I am a Los Angeles-based cinematographer, SOC Associate Camera Operator, and colorist.
Warlock Asylum: What sort of environment would you say captured your childhood? Please tell us about your early beginnings?
Maria Perlifonova: During my childhood, I received a gift from my grandparents. It was an old small Olympus camera. I started to have fun capturing everything I saw.
Warlock Asylum: What attracted you to the world of visual arts?
Maria Perlifonova: I was attracted to the ability to be able to show an object or a person in so many different ways. I liked it so much that I decided to continue to learn and study this skill.
Warlock Asylum: How did you fall in love with photography?
Maria Perlifonova: As I described previously, I fall in love with the process of capturing my environment and the people in it. I found different things in the same places, which leaves me so amazed.
Warlock Asylum: After falling in love with photography, what were some of the ways that you were able to improve your skills in this field?
Maria Perlifonova: I was attracted to some particular styles of photography. I researched different photographers and their distinct techniques. During my Google searches, I discovered what I needed to achieve similar results and also discovered my passion for analogic lenses and bokeh.
Warlock Asylum: What inspired you to pursue filmmaking after learning more about photography?
Maria Perlifonova: When I was studying photography, a reform happened and my course was shifted to audiovisual (same as filmmaking in this case). I wasn’t happy at the beginning but later I discovered beautiful parts of it.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the differences and similarities that you found to exist between filmmaking and photography?
Maria Perlifonova: I always was in love with cameras, so I will speak in terms of capturing an image. For me, it’s a lot of similarities. It’s all about capturing a frame, moment, beauty, creating light, creating something. Even in technical terms, it’s a lot of similarities, and both start from the same basic principles and then transform into deeper details. But basically, for me, it’s very much the same. It’s just two ways of expression and I am happy to understand both of them J. In this way, I can mix the techniques to achieve an interesting result.
Warlock Asylum: Since so much of our lives depend upon visual impressions, were there any life lessons learned from working behind the camera?
Maria Perlifonova: Yes! yes! I learned to observe and feel the importance of everything around me.
Warlock Asylum: What does being a cinematographer mean to you and how would you describe the value of this role in the process of creating films?
Maria Perlifonova: Being a cinematographer for me is being a creator of light or being able to manage the light as you want it. This is an extremely important part of the creation of a film. It helps to recreate a feeling director and writer was imagine in their mind.
Warlock Asylum: Pursuing an education in both photography and film has introduced you to different cultural settings such as studying audiovisual arts in Naples (Italy), and then later moving to Los Angeles (CA) in 2019 and studying Filmmaking at New York Film Academy. In what ways did your studies in different cultural backdrops prove to be an aid in the development of your work as a cinematographer?
Maria Perlifonova: I think studying first in Italy was very important. The country is full of history and beauty. Everywhere you go is amazing and also it has its own style, which is extremely important for imagination in cinematography, you have so many real examples of very interesting lighting. When I moved to LA I learned an “American” way. I think it’s always better to have more knowledge and styles to mix in order to find your own.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the awards and honors you’ve received as a director and cinematographer?
Maria Perlifonova: I won Best Student Director and Best First Time Director at ISA Film Festival and Best Woman Short at Indie Short Fest for the short film ‘Painted Survival” that I directed. It was an amazing experience, and it was a great Film Festival night.
Warlock Asylum: What were some of the struggles that you had to overcome in order to reach the level of success you enjoy thus far?
Maria Perlifonova: I had struggled with being a woman in the film industry in Italy. However, I find people in the USA are more open to women taking part in different careers.
Warlock Asylum: How are you able to balance out your career and time with family and friends?
Maria Perlifonova: I never had a problem managing my time. Usually, I find time for everything. My friends know that sometimes I can disappear while making a film.
Warlock Asylum: Have you experienced any opposition as a woman entering the field of filmmaking? If so, please explain.
Maria Perlifonova: Yes, I had a million situations where people were looking at me like, “what? Young and a woman? Nah “and not taking me seriously. But like a said before, in the US it’s much better and I really appreciate it.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the themes that you seek to convey in your work?
Maria Perlifonova: I want to transmit all types of feelings, bad and good, but transmit it very intensely.
Warlock Asylum: What can we expect to hear from Maria Perlifonova in the near future? Any final thoughts?
Maria Perlifonova: I only can say stay tuned for new amazing upcoming projects what I will share with you! News will be available on my website.
On behalf of Warlock Asylum International News, I would like to extend my gratitude once again and wish the lovely Maria Perlifonova all the best in her artistic endeavors. Readers can stay updated about Ms. Perlifonova and her work by visiting her website and/or the following links:
https://www.marioski.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10096684/
https://www.instagram.com/marioski.photo/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/perlifonova/
