Bridging the gap Part of the Mayor’s Academies Programme, the West London Film and Television Skills Hub aims to nurture blossoming creative talent to meet rising demand, as its ambassador, the filmmaker and director Chris Skarratt explains. Every time I meet with the next generation of British filmmakers, TV producers, VFX artists or cinematographers, a … Read more
Timeline of Emotions Racking up almost 46 million YouTube views in less than a month, Adele’s “Oh My God” music video – lensed by Roman Vasyanov ASC RGC and directed by Sam Brown – captivated audiences with its distinctive and stylish approach. As the camera makes a seamless journey through a seemingly infinite sound stage, … Read more
CAMERAS AT SPEED From superhero stunts in a circling single take to bloody revenge on a wildly spinning waltzer, the challenges of filming in moving vehicles are no barrier to a DP’s creativity. When Stephen Murphy BSC started the upcoming BBC police drama Blue Lights, he was faced with scripts containing many long dialogue scenes … Read more
TOOLS OF THE TRADE Every DP today carries with them a powerful mobile device that can serve as notebook, viewfinder, light meter, compass and much more besides. Apps can help visualise and communicate, prep and plan. “What professional DP is going to line up a shot on a movie using their phone? You’re mad. It’s … Read more
The opening scene of The Godfather is a zoom that lasts almost three minutes. Some feel that this is the most important scene in the most important movie. This was shot with a computer-controlled zoom lens built over fifty years ago. Despite the enormous technical advances since then, this scene could not be captured using … Read more
MOVING WITH THE MARKET A selection of UK rental houses share perspectives on the ever-evolving sector, from the peak in activity following the production void through to popular gear, training, and encouraging new entrants to the industry. Much as the events of 2021 have hinted that there might be such a thing as too much … Read more
YOU NEVER STOP LEARNING BAFTA Breakthrough cinematographer Aaron Reid explores Filmmakers Academy and shares his views on the site and its educational content as a resource for DPs and filmmakers at all stages of their careers. Over the last four weeks, alongside prepping a TV drama, I have spent my time going through the Filmmakers … Read more
PERFECTING THE WORKFLOW We explore the evolution of the digital imaging technician’s role in helping achieve maximum image quality, the workflow wizardry surrounding it, and their collaboration with cinematographers and other members of the production team. In the early days of digital cinema, digital imaging technicians emerged for what seemed like three main reasons. One … Read more
EXPLORING NEW DIMENSIONS Erik Alexander Wilson BSC details how he captured elements of four-part series Landscapers, adopting a new “Portrait Anamorphic” mode approach which saw him shoot with 2x anamorphic lenses for a 16:9 delivery. Whilst trying out ideas to find a look for the series Landscapers, I was wondering what would happen if I … Read more
FILTERED IMAGES DPs past and present discuss their favourite filters and consider the place of physical filtration in a digital world. “It’s still a question I ask myself every time I put [a filter] in front of the camera: is this something best done in post or is it best done now?” Alex Metcalfe has … Read more
PICTURE THIS Being visual disciplines, cinematography and production design share a common language. Experts in their field share their experiences and techniques as well as the secrets to successful creative collaborations. Long before working on The Luminaries, Denson Baker ACS NZCS and production designer Felicity Abbott went to film school together in Sydney. Abbott points out that no matter the project there … Read more
TELLING A STORY Rina Yang filled us in on what it was like to work with one of the most recognisable songwriters on the planet: Taylor Swift. The short film accompanies a previously unreleased 10 minute version of ‘All Too Well’ which first appeared on the 2012 album Red. Taylor Swift is currently in the … Read more
AT THE HEART OF THE ACTION Polly Morgan BSC ASC breaks down an action-packed scene from A Quiet Place Part II and the bespoke car rig, teamwork, and kit that made capturing the first-of-its-kind, tightly choreographed sequence possible. When John [Krasinski] and I discussed the prologue – when the creatures attack – we decided the … Read more
A NEW REALITY LED volumes are an exciting new tool in the cinematographer’s toolbox, mixing the real with the unreal. Four cinematographers who have already embraced the technology share their experiences. The term “virtual production” encompasses practices like pre-visualisation and remote location reccies, but its most exciting branch is in filming itself: the ability to shoot … Read more
SKY RISERS Drones, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft are helping filmmakers create creative and spectacular shots that soar. We examine the developments in the ever-evolving world of aerial cinematography. Aerial cinematography is long-established in cinema history. From bi-plane dogfights in the 1927 WWI drama Wings to the first helicopter shot in 1945’s The Bandit of Sherwood, … Read more
A PAINTER’S EYE Why should cinematographers looking to produce unique creations seek influence from centuries-old art? Witold Stok BSC explores the powerful influence paintings can have on filmmakers. In cinema’s multi-rooted parentage, painters, poets, novelists and theatre animators line up with engineers, craftsmen, builders of medieval cathedrals or the creators of mass-produced Bauhaus works. 17th century Italian opera welded together music, movement, … Read more
Lead image: Zoe Boyle and Kerry Howard lit by China lanterns and covered wagons for Witless shot by Benedict Spence DYNAMIC ILLUMINATION We are lucky enough to live in a time when lighting technology runs the gamut from the simplest tungsten globe to banks of programmable LED panels controlled by an app. Six DPs share … Read more
REALISING THE VISION Tania Hoser speaks to three fellow members of illuminatrix – a collective of female cinematographers – about their planning and process when creating visual concepts for a film and turning them into a cinematic reality. For me, one of the most beneficial aspects of being part of illuminatrix is the opportunity to … Read more
SPACE TO CREATE Despite the obstacles presented by the pandemic a number of new UK studio locations have been announced recently. We round-up some of the latest developments and the role they will play in filmmaking’s future. The shockwaves of 2020 are still being felt throughout the film industry, even though a number of productions … Read more
Lead image: Kevin Brari and 1st AC Lukas Fahnert shooting Lost in Time. (Photo: Steffen Schmitz) LENSES WITH CHARACTER Unusual bokeh, interesting flares, aberrations at the edges of frame – these are some of the artefacts which lens manufacturers once strove to suppress, but which are now prized by filmmakers seeking a unique look. Five … Read more