Most creatives dream of filming in remote places, working with global brands, and living a life of freedom behind the lens, but few understand the discipline and long game it actually takes to get there. As a director and aerial cinematographer, Zac Moxley shares how his mindset, work ethic, and willingness to take risks helped him turn passion into a career. Alongside host Marshal Chupa, Zach breaks down the realities of momentum, burnout, spec work, and what it really means to bet on yourself

🎙️ Episode Sponsor: Lorne Lapham Sales & Rentals

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Key Topics Discussed

• How saying yes early on created a snowball effect and why treating every job like it matters can change everything

• The real cost of chasing your dream job, including the emotional and financial pressure behind self-funded projects

• The truth about spec work and how Zac uses personal projects to grow, experiment, and land bigger clients

• Buying gear with intention, including how to think about expensive tools, what actually delivers value, and when to pull the trigger

• Navigating the long game of a creative career and why it’s built through grind, self-belief, and patience

Episode Highlights

00:03 A Turning Point in His Teens

How a personal transformation helped Zac develop the grit and drive that sparked his creative journey

00:08 Early Career and Instagram Growth

The story behind his glide-cam days and how his Instagram started gaining traction in 2017

00:13 The Drone Chapter

Zac’s early aerial content and the moment he began shifting toward directing full campaigns

00:21 Every Opportunity Can Change Your Life

Zac’s philosophy on saying yes and how staying open has led to his biggest projects

00:27 Behind the Instagram Highlight Reel

The grind, burnout, and loneliness that people don’t see when they scroll

00:36 Spec Work as a Career Catalyst

Zac’s approach to funding personal projects and the most he’s ever spent out of pocket

00:44 Breaking Down a Spec Project

From idea to post-production, how Zac builds personal pieces with intention and impact

00:51 Undercutting Versus Opportunity

Where he draws the line between strategy and self-sabotage when pricing work

01:01 Buying the Right Gear

How to approach big purchases like the RED Raptor and which tools have earned their keep

01:09 Building Relationships That Lead to Work

Zac’s take on staying top of mind, creating value, and earning trust over time

01:15 Manifestation and Career Alignment

How Zac’s mindset and focus on alignment have helped him call in the kind of projects and lifestyle he once only imagined

🔗 CONNECT WITH ZAC MOXELY

📸 Instagram | @downtofilm

🖥️ Website | ⁠www.zacharymoxley.com⁠

🔗 CONNECT WITH MARSHAL

📸 Instagram |⁠ ⁠⁠@marshalchupa⁠

💻 Website |⁠ www.marshalchupa.com⁠

🔗 LinkedIn |⁠ ⁠⁠Marshal Chupa on LinkedIn⁠

🟠 Substack | ⁠Substack Article⁠

🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST

This podcast is all about helping emerging cinematographers, photographers, and directors navigate the challenges of making a life and a living behind the lens. From workflow to personal growth, creative vision to marketing, finances to production—every episode is packed with a wide range of topics to support visual storytellers in their pursuit of building a business and growing a career they are proud of.

🎧 LISTEN

🟢| ⁠Spotify ⁠

🟣| ⁠Apple Podcast⁠

🖥️| ⁠shotlistpodcast.com⁠ 

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📱GET IN TOUCH

You can also drop me a DM instagram @marshalchupa or email marshal@marshalchupa.com