News
Oscar Cinematography Survey: Here Are the Cameras and Lenses Used to Shoot 32 Awards Contenders
February 24, 2021
IndieWire reached out to the cinematographers whose films are in awards contention and among the most critically acclaimed films of the year to find out which cameras and lenses they used and, more importantly, why these were the right tools to create the visual language of their respective films.
The Trial of The Chicago 7 Cinematography (with Phedon Papamichael ASC)
February 23, 2021
Aaron Sorkin’s Golden Globe-nominated film THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 perfectly balances incredible visuals with stunning performances. Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael ASC comes on to discuss working with Sorkin and the importance daylight plays when filming the courtroom scenes.
Phedon and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss how the visual approach contrasts between the courtroom and riots, his obsession with motivated camera movement, filming with up to 3 cameras at once on a tight schedule, and more!
The Vigil
February 26, 2021
In recent years, Brooklyn’s Hasidic Jews have become a source of inspiration for journalists and filmmakers alike. One of Us – a film that followed three ex-Hasidic Jews as they adjusted to a secular lifestyle – was named one of the best documentaries of 2017 for its unflinching examination of this closed community. Now the same community has become the setting for The Vigil, an early contender for one of 2021’s best horror films.
"The Luminaries" is a Simple, Heavenward Gaze at an Affair Interrupted by a Con
February 14, 2021
Beauty is the wind pushing "The Luminaries" through its six hours, and it is no weak gale. When the plot thins and reveals the ordinariness behind the narrative's pretensions it's usually enough to drink in the scenery as it's translated through cinematographer Denson Baker's lens. Sweeping shots capture every magnificent glint and spray the ocean offers up, veil the eyes with greenery, and drape the imagination with otherworldly lighting. New Zealand's tourism board should be pleased.
How ‘Cherry’ Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel Gave Visual Form To The Heightened Emotions And Psychic Wounds Of An Iraq War Veteran
February 25, 2021
On Joe and Anthony Russo’s Cherry, cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel honed in on the larger-than-life emotions of a singular character, who found himself going through one life-altering experience after another.
Clubhouse Conversations — Da 5 Bloods
February 10, 2021
Interviewer Seamus McGarvey, ASC, BSC talks to cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC and writer-director Spike Lee about their powerful drama depicting the continuing trauma created by racial injustice and the Vietnam War.
Realism Key to Creating Magic for Live-Action ‘Mulan’
February 11, 2021
A wealth of visual effects were used to take viewers into the Imperial City and create epic fight sequences for Disney’s live-action “Mulan.”
VFX houses around the world including Crafty Apes, Framestore, Image Engine, Sony Pictures Imageworks and Weta Digital all joined forces in bringing the film to life.
Five Questions With… ‘Barb and Star’ Cinematographer Toby Oliver
February 12, 2021
Cinematographer Toby Oliver, ASC, loves to capture the darker moments of life on film. His notable work over the last few years includes Jordan Peele’s Oscar-nominated Get Out, Happy Death Day and its sequel Happy Death Day 2U, and Insidious: The Last Key. So, he’s no stranger to highlighting aspects of terror with his lens.
The Midnight Sky’s gruelling ‘Arctic’ adventure
December 12, 2020
The Revenant meets Gravity was how George Clooney pitched his latest film to cinematographer Martin Ruhe ASC. We interviewed him to find out just what went into the making of the film, and the technology used.
Cinematographers & Cameras: Lensing "Promising Young Woman," "News of the World," "Search Party"
February 19, 2021
One DP finds himself in the awards season conversation for his fruitful collaboration with a first-time feature director.
Another brought his experience in stylized fare for the likes of Ridley Scott, Tony Scott and Gore Verbinski to a western directed and co-written by a filmmaker known for his documentary sensibilities.
And our third cinematographer has put an indelible mark on a cult favorite TV series which started on TBS and ultimately ended up on HBO Max.
Here are insights from Benjamin Kracun on Promising Young Woman (Focus Features), Dariusz Wolski, ASC on News of the World (Universal Pictures), and Jonathan Furmanski on Search Party.
B+C Names 2021 Tech Leadership Awards Recipients
February 9, 2021
Broadcasting + Cable has named the recipients of the 2021 Technology Leadership Awards.
The awards, which B+C started in 1999, honor individuals who have made significant contributions to how TV, digital and streaming media companies use technology.
How I Shot That: The Cameras and Cinematography Behind Sundance’s Narrative Feature Films
January 29, 2021
Mejía: We chose the equipment based on experience and the first option was the Arri Alexa Mini camera because it is versatile and I have been working with it for years and I knew that it would respond to the needs of the project. In terms of optics, I decided to work with the anamorphic spine lenses because it seemed to me that they fit perfectly in the characteristics of the story by having this combination of two places so diverse in two countries, besides that they are lenses that have their own personality that helped the film.
Spotlight: Cinematographer Alejandro Mejía
February 1, 2021
Alejandro Mejía is a Mexican-born Cinematographer based in Brooklyn, New York. His work has screened at Sundance, Berlinale, Tribeca, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, Oslo film Festival, among many others.
Sundance Interview with Sam Levy, Cinematographer of “Mayday”
February 4, 2021
Frances Ha, Mistress America, Lady Bird and Wendy and Lucy … of course, I am referring to the work of some of our greatest living directors: Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig, and Kelly Reichardt. More specifically, I am referring to the wonderful characters at the center of them, women whose everyday struggles are met with determination, charm, confusion, humor and creativity. These are women who were seminal to my upbringing, far beyond film. This last week, I had the pleasure to speak to one of the people responsible for bringing them to the screen, cinematographer Sam Levy.
Sundance Q&A: Mayday DP Sam Levy
January 29, 2021
Director Karen Cinorre’s Mayday tells the story of Ana, who is transported to a dreamlike and dangerous land, where she joins an army of girls engaged in a never-ending war along a rugged coast. Though she finds strength in this exciting new world, she comes to realize that she’s not the killer they want her to be.
Sam Levy was the cinematographer on the film. His past projects include three films for director Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, Mistress America, While We’re Young) as well as the Oscar-nominated Lady Bird and director Spike Jonze’s Changers: A Dance Story.
We reached out to Levy, who also served as a producer on Mayday, to talk about how the film evolved, its look and working with Cinorre.
