Cinematography

Managing HDR for Sweet Magnolias

Thu, 03/03/2022 - 09:50 -- Nick Dager

Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias is a dramatic romance tale set in the South about three lifelong friends navigating their personal and professional priorities and relationships alongside one another. Sweet Magnolias cinematographer Brian Johnson is a Gemini Award nominee, a two-time Golden Sheaf award winner and recipient of two Leos, whose resume includes The Killing, and You Me Her, to name a few. He was joined on the series by Tyler Blackwell, digital imaging technician, whose credits include One Night in Miami…, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Women of the Movement, among others. Johnson shot with a Sony Venice full-frame digital cinema cameras. Blackwell follows the production on a combination of Sony PVM-X2400 and BVM-HX310 4K high dynamic range monitors.

Steadicam Introduces New M-2 Core Kits

Wed, 03/02/2022 - 09:53 -- Nick Dager

The most integrated and adaptable Steadicam system ever made is now available in a more affordable option with the introduction of the new M-2 Core Kits. Specially configured and priced to provide operators with an entry point into the Steadicam M-Series ecosystem, the M-2 Core Kits utilize the same lightweight components and modular design that has made the M-2 an industry standard.

Creating the Gilded Age’s Look

Wed, 02/23/2022 - 12:44 -- Nick Dager

Set in in New York City in the 1880s, a period marked by the clash between old traditions and new paradigms, Julian Fellowes’ HBO original series The Gilded Age tells the story of two families from different socioeconomic backgrounds and the relationship between them as they are trying to navigate those times of immense change. The Gilded Age chronicles the wide-eyed young scion of a conservative family who moves to New York City in 1882 and finds herself in the middle of a social war between old money and new money battling to preserve, or ascend, the social hierarchy. The first episode became available for streaming in the U.S. on HBO Max last month. Vanja Cernjul, ASC, HFS was the cinematographer for the series.

Filming The Hand of God

Mon, 02/21/2022 - 12:31 -- Nick Dager

Award-winning writer and director Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film, The Hand of God, is the poetic story of a young man’s heartbreak and liberation in 1980s Naples, Italy. Although cinematographer Daria D’Antonio’s has worked for many years as part of Sorrentino’s camera crew, including Il Divo and Lan Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty) this is her debut as director of photography for Sorrentino after learning firsthand from Sorrentino’s frequent cinematographer – and her maestro – Luca Bigazzi. One of her goals with this film, she said, was to make certain that the camera didn’t distract the audience from what was happening on screen.

Creating a Cinematic Sense of Impending Doom

Wed, 02/09/2022 - 09:42 -- Nick Dager

The Last Thing Mary Saw – a Shudder original movie for the AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers and the supernatural – takes place during the winter of 1843, in which a young woman is under investigation following the mysterious death of her Calvinist family’s matriarch. Her recollection of the events sheds new light on the ageless forces behind the tragedy. Released in the U.S. on January 20 on Shudder, the film stars Rory Culkin, Stefanie Scott, and Isabelle Fuhrman, and is written and directed by Edoardo Vitaletti, making his feature length film debut. David Kruta was the cinematographer.

Shooting Night Scenes on a Tight Budget

Tue, 02/08/2022 - 10:46 -- Nick Dager

Cinematographer Sandra Valde-Hansen (The L Word: Generation Q, Now Apocalypse, White Bird in a Blizzard, Kaboom) found herself capturing scenes in diverse weather and lighting for Natalie Morales' film Plan B. This road movie, now streaming on Hulu, follows a pair of teenaged friends during a day-and-night search for emergency contraception.

Creating a Consistent Look for In From the Cold

Mon, 02/07/2022 - 10:59 -- Nick Dager

In From the Cold is Netflix’s new suspense series that follows a single mother exposed as an ex-Russian spy, who must juggle family life and unique shape-shifting skills in a battle against an insidious enemy. Cinematographer Hermes Marco, AEC, worked with a team of directors to create a stunning contrast between different cities and time frames. Showrunner Adam Glass and Marco worked very closely to define the show’s look, compiling lots of references and defining the contrasting styles to enable the directors to retain a consistent look across the series

Ellen Kuras First Woman to Receive ASC Lifetime Achievement Award

Thu, 02/03/2022 - 11:49 -- Nick Dager

The American Society of Cinematographers will recognize the work of four exceptional artists at its 36th Annual Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography. Ellen Kuras, ASC will receive the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award; she is the first woman ever to win the award. Peter Levy, ASC, ACS will be presented with the Career Achievement in Television Award, and John Lindley, ASC will be honored with the President’s Award. Panavision’s Dan Sasaki will receive the ASC’s inaugural Curtis Clark Technical Achievement Award, which will be given to an individual who has made significant technological contributions to the art and craft of cinematography. The awards will be presented on March 20 at the ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood.

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