Meet Dale Elena McCready: Cinematographer, Trans female in progress, Cyclist

Summer. Richmond cafe. Socially distancing over coffee and banana cake. Dale with her sleek cycling gear greets me with such a contagious smile. I had previously met Dale (online) a couple of weeks ago as a guest on Cinegirl’s podcast. I confess that I was so looking forward to meeting her. Just glancing over her extremely impressive IMDB credits made me nervous and excited at the same time. 

Honestly, I struggled to write this article. I had mixed feelings of happiness, for having met Dale, but also anger towards society. Falling in the shoes of “Miss Lecturer” would have been my initial choice, but I then realised that it was not my place to do. I was there to be a listener. And that, my dear readers, is what we all need to do. We need to learn the skill of listening and hopefully, as a direct consequence, learning. 

When did you decide that you wanted to become a Cinematographer ?

I kind of fell into it, like a lot of people do. I was always really interested in design, computer graphics, and architecture. After deciding to not continue with post-high school education, I decided to join an Ad agency that had their own in-house editing suite, which they let me loose in, so I was able to pick-up editing skills, which was great. 

After making some contacts with production companies, I started working with them across various roles, from editing to lighting. From there, I joined the crew of a soap opera in New Zealand called “Shortland Street”, working as a lighting assistant. I then worked my way up to work as a camera assistant on location, and then they trained me to be a Studio Camera Operator. You know, the one with the three wheels… Ahah! 

Then I ended up becoming a camera operator, trained through that, then picked up Steadicam operating, then worked toward as a Director of Photography (DP) on the side. 

Did you start with Film? 

I started with Betacam video, then 16mm, then 35mm and then eventually back to Digital. I kind of snuck my way into the film industry and this was back in 1994, before the DSLR revolution. 

And then what? 

Then I shied away from DP’ing for a while, and I actually continued operating for other DP’s and learned from focus pullers. I felt I had a lot to learn, technically, before returning back to being a DP. 

What does being a DP mean to you?

I really love it. I am not as ambitious as I used to be, I think, but I still do want to constantly improve my storytelling methods and techniques. How to find a new way to make a title story. It’s a constant mental exercise to be a DP, solving each problem with light. It’s the combination of technology and geekiness, I love it. 

Are you comfortable with lights?

Yes, it’s all about light. It’s good to do a bold look. Once you start thinking about light, you can’t stop. Once you get taught the basics of lighting, you start noticing nice lighting everywhere and how the lights fall and you start jotting ideas down in your head. You try and bring those things out. I always try to get an impression or feeling in my head and to push the camera, lights and lensing towards that direction. You get better at controlling these ideas as you grow older and more experienced. 

Shifting the topic, I want to talk about your current transition, transitioning gender. When did you realise that you wanted to become a woman? 

It’s always been there to be honest. A part of me I wasn’t showing, because I was being dishonest with myself. And it’s something that has been happening throughout my relationships, this feeling of lying to my partners, and I knew the problem was always me. With my last relationship, five years ago, we were both at an age where we should have been settling down and building a life together and having kids. And I decided I really had to do something about it. I could not put my partners through that, hoping to meet someone who would “fix me”.

I then started doing research. Was it feasible for me to do this? Medically? Financially? And would I be able to succeed at it? So, it took me a really long time to put all my ducks in a row, and once I had made my choice, that is when I started telling people. 

I must also point out that I’ve traded on the advantage of having been able to build my career in one way and now having the strength and position in risk.   This certainly helped me. 

Who did you tell first?

One of my close friends here in London, close industry friends, and in fact a close friend of mine, who is also a DP, was the first person to tell me that he supported me. And that is when I started thinking that it was going to be ok to tell my family and friends. 

How did your parents react when you told them? 

My Dad was amazing. I was in Morocco on a job shooting Baghdad Central. I sent these letters out to my Mum and Dad, and my Dad e-mailed me back this beautiful e-mail. It was emotional. I hadn’t told anyone at my job at the time. Mum was trickier and thought it was because maybe I was depressed etc, but I explained to her that in fact, all these “other issues” I was feeling, were because of me not being able to honestly express myself. She struggled with it for a bit, but then started understanding it and has been amazing. 

Let’s talk about balance on set…

The really interesting point about being a Trans woman, is that you get to examine the bias of the crew a lot more. Going from one gender role and moving away from that and into another one, is a very clear statement to yourself that there is no difference between a person’s ability - creatively, physically - and what they can achieve at their work, no matter their gender identity. Throughout modern history, society has stereotyped differences across genders, and almost made excuses for not treating women and men equally. If I, as a Trans woman, can move from one gender to another, that is definitive proof that any man or woman can do the job. There is no accurate reason why women cannot do certain jobs, or vice versa.    

Has your work been affected after you cracked your egg? 

I was working on Belgravia last year, and I had just started my hormones, and I didn’t know if I was going to be a fuzz of tears or…who knows…and you know what? It didn’t happen. I felt better and happier and treated my crew, hopefully, in a nicer manner, because I was just happier with myself. It actually opened up my awareness and understanding other people’s shoes. My agents have been very progressive towards a more LGBTQIA+ representation too, which was great. 

Do you like this term “LGBTQIA+”? 

Yes and no. By using this acronym we are highlighting a community, which will help to make us be perceived as less different, and eventually there will be no need for this acronym. 

If you weren’t a DP, what would you be doing? 

Probably in Design. Also wood working. I’ve just finished making walnut handles for my camera rig and director’s monitor. 

Who is your DP crush? 

Conrad Hall, Darius Khondji, Deakins to name a few….Rachel Morrison, Reed Morano, Mandy Walker and many more. 

Signing off / Francesca Zerenghi (She/Her).