Meet Joshua Gitersonke: Emmy Award-winning Cinematographer Behind The Amazing Race
“If you want to be in adventure cinematography, you have to love the world and nature. The world is a messy place, and you’re at the center of it, trying to find that beautiful frame. Concentrate, practice, learn from others and embrace the unfun parts of the job to find your vision.”
Joshua Gitersonke has never been one to back down from a challenge.
His wide-ranging skills in cinematography, combined with a relentless drive, highlight his dedication to his craft. And it has clearly paid off.
Since graduating with a degree in Film in 2007, Joshua has carved out a remarkable career in the film industry.
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Los Angeles Film School and our 5th Annual Spotlight Awards, we honor Joshua’s exceptional talent, steadfast determination and shining successes, including 11 Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork and Video Control.
Where did Joshua’s Journey Begin?
Joshua’s path to success started in a small Michigan town, where he was living with his grandmother.
His creative spark ignited early when his grandma gave him a pencil and a life-drawing book. From then on he was hooked on art, diving into drawing, painting and sculpting.
As a kid, Joshua dreamed of being an animator, but his passion shifted to live-action filmmaking when he realized how much fun it was to work with real people and capture real moments, and discovered a lot about his craft. “If you draw things enough, you have to pick a frame that you’re drawing. So you’ve already chosen your frame and style from the beginning,” he says.
Joshua moved around a lot with his mom, who would often have to relocate due to her work. And eventually they ended up in L.A. during his high school years.
This is where he continued exploring art, even working as a glass artist making sculptures.
In fact, his love of art and blend of experiences led him to film school, paving the way for his successful career in cinematography.
The L.A Film School Connection
In his early 20s, Joshua and a friend began shooting small commercials for local restaurants and businesses. And with zero budget and just a Canon Rebel S camera that was meant for taking photos, they made it work.
For six months they hustled with this single camera, but they knew they needed more knowledge and better equipment. That’s when they found The L.A. Film School and decided to enroll.
At The L.A. Film School, Joshua thrived.
He shot as many projects as possible and helped out on everyone’s projects to gain experience with equipment and understand the filmmaking process. “The L.A. Film School was eye-opening,” Joshua recalls. “I was working with other students who were as excited to work on film projects as I was. It was a lot of fun.”
Graduating in 2007, right after the writers’ strike, Joshua found work on reality shows, one of the few genres still filming.
He cold-called around and eventually landed a job with The Amazing Race, a show he had always watched with his mom. Starting as a cameraman, he has now done 20 seasons and risen to the position of director of photography.
Joshua’s career also includes work on The Late Late Show with James Corden and National Geographic’s Race to the Center of the Earth.
His journey from small-town Michigan to the heights of the film industry is a testament to his hard work, passion and true talent.
Joshua’s Advice to Budding Creatives
“Keep moving forward. Keep your eye on your goal, and you’ll get somewhere.”
“Have a plan for anything that can happen. Always think ahead and be in the right place.”
“Pay attention to your surroundings and the people you’re working with. Trust your instincts.”
Welcoming Joshua to the Spotlight Academy
Get ready for the 5th Annual Spotlight Awards, happening from September 9-12!
This event celebrates the remarkable talent, innovation and achievements of our L.A. Film School graduates. We are excited to announce that Joshua will be inducted into the Spotlight Academy as part of the Class of 2024.
Keep an eye out for updates on all the exciting Spotlight events, including expert panels, virtual demos, interactive experiences and more.You can also join the celebration on social media using the hashtag #LAFSSpotlight. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and our newest inductee!