Idea: Taking Form & Shape
about: MARIN BALAIĆ
I have an MA degree in graphic design, have been working professionally for 4 years. I think I’m a curious person, I love to read and learn all kinds of information because inspiration is something that I seek, not wait.
I grew up surrounded by analogue photography, cameras, dark rooms etc. so I believe that set my future as constantly being fascinated by motion and static pictures which led to graphic design as a multidisciplinary mix of all the different fields I’ve been interested in.
I constantly jump from cinematography to design and vice versa which I believe helps me to keep track of what’s really important in both fields because doing something for too long and over intensely can numb the enthusiasm you have, especially when you’re dealing with clients.
If you are representing/own a production company, what company is it?
I currently work at Mit design studio from Croatia, which is a small design/production studio full of young and creative people with whom I really enjoy working.
We work on lot of interesting projects and try to focus on what kind of experience we want to create with particular design rather than just focusing on aesthetic value.
Where are you located?
I’m located in Osijek, Croatia which is right in the middle of 155 mile radius to Budapest, Sarajevo, Zagreb and Belgrade – lots of different influences.
Describe how do you feel at the starting of a new project?
Usually I feel thrilled, especially if there’s a good story behind it. I think there’s nothing more exhilarating than being involved in the process of creating something new.
There’s something incredibly fascinating in witnessing idea taking form and shape, it’s like it starts its own life regardless what your plans were, if its really good it leads you into creating it, almost unconsciously.
100 lica stolica from Marin Balaić on Vimeo.
Before you become a cinematographer, where did you work?
Well, first time I was commissioned to do professional cinematography was about a year ago and in that time I worked in the same studio only I did just graphic design. That’s what I love about small companies: flexibility.
What’s your way(s) to balancing work and life?
Actually it’s quite simple for me. I learned that I function best with fixed working hours and that enables me to keep everything in order. Of course, you cannot stop your brain from thinking about work every time you leave office, so I don’t try to force it.
If the project is really interesting or it requires extra work there’s no point trying to avoid it, it’ll just come back to haunt you. But I try to keep that kind of situations minimal as possible because I want to enjoy doing my job not to be sick of it because of the pressure.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein
Could you share any insight for people just entering the profession?
I would say that fist and foremost you must know your job, all the technical and practical skills and knowledge, the more you know the more you’ll be able to use and combine in new and creative ways.
Some things that are very simple often get neglected because they’re taken for granted, and best pieces of cinematography often prove that you must know the simplest of rules before you can make most of it.
Second, you must find out what you’re good in and build on it, no sense in trying to do something that doesn’t fit you.
Hypo spajanje from Marin Balaić on Vimeo.
Who is the person you look up to in the movie industry? Why so?
This is probably hardest for me to answer because there are so many people whose work I admire and learn from. Let’s see…
I think Kubrick’s movies are the ones that I was most fascinated with. His movies are so wonderfully constructed that it’s incredible to watch them, but I think the biggest thrill you can have from his movies is while analyzing them. His ability to construct a scene, both visually and narratively is the most inspiring thing I can think of. I mean, as soon as you watch one of his movies you just want to grab a camera and start shooting a movie.
Can’t leave out Wong Kar Wai and Christopher Doyle who are incredible, they do the best stuff I’ve seen in years.
What music are you listening lately?
The music I listen depends heavily on the mood I’m in, I listen just about everything from classical music to trip hop, as long as it’s good and I can find something to connect within it.
Music is very personal experience for me so sometimes I love to drown in 23 minutes of Pink Floyd’s Echoes and sometimes I’ll sit and watch busy people on the street listening to She&Him and everything will seem like it’s real-time movie.
I like Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band and Adron too… there’s just so much of the good stuff out there…
What’s one thing you wish you knew when beginning your career?
I wish I knew how to say no to pointless, exhausting jobs that waste time and energy.
If you have online portfolio (website/awards/credits/client’s showcase), what is the URL?
The portfolio of the design studio I work in is www.mit.hr there are most of motion and design work I did. On my Vimeo profile you have almost all of my motion work.
16:9 from Marin Balaić on Vimeo.
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