We had a chat with Benjamin Acoca. He is a cinematographer with a background in production, now working across high-end commercial and documentary projects. We talked about transitioning from producing to cinematography, shooting large-scale campaigns with tight constraints, and why understanding both creative vision and production logistics is key to his work.

Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Benjamin, and I have been working as a Director of Photography for the past six years.

I have a background in production, where I worked for six years before transitioning into cinematography. I started as an intern at a TV production company in Paris and worked my way up to Production Manager and then Producer for web content. From TV docu-fiction to documentary series and YouTube documentaries, I have worked across a wide range of formats.

Eight years ago, I started my own production company, initially producing TV commercials and digital campaigns. Over time, my focus shifted toward cinematography, which is now my primary role, although I still occasionally work on the production side.

Having a production background has been very valuable. It helps me understand the constraints of a shoot and approach challenges from both a creative and logistical perspective, which strengthens my work as a cinematographer.

What is the latest project you worked on that you are proud of?

One of the latest projects I’m proud of is a commercial I shot for Chanel with Pedro Pascal and Nicole Kidman. It was an intense and exciting experience to be part of a production of that scale, where everything is carefully rehearsed, precisely planned, and highly organized. Nothing is left uncertain. We had two full days to rehearse and plan with stand-ins who closely resembled the actors, followed by a 20-minute shooting window with the actual cast.

What is your most important contribution to a project?

My most important contribution is being as involved as possible during pre-production. Understanding both the creative vision and the production logistics is essential for me as a cinematographer. I aim to support the director’s vision while also staying aware of the practical constraints of the production.

I am currently working on a documentary where I am responsible for the cinematography. This is the type of project I find most inspiring. Bringing real stories to light is what drew me to this industry in the first place, and it remains the work I feel most connected to.

Who in Oslo should get the spotlight next, and why?

I am still quite new to Oslo, having recently moved from Paris, so I don’t have a wide network here yet. However, on my last shoot I met an actor and model from Oslo named Casper Hauge. He is an incredible dancer and performer, having worked with the National Ballet of Marseille and collaborated on projects with brands like Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Nike. I found his presence and overall energy very inspiring, and he would definitely deserve a spotlight.

CONTACT:

IG: @benjaminacoca