SMALL BUT MIGHTY From shrimps to spiders, capturing the natural world’s smaller inhabitants calls for specialist kit and knowledge. Macro cinematography demands meticulous control, with a mix of studio-based and on-location work. Veteran filmmaker Richard Kirby says most macro cinematographers…
We’ve ventured to virtual worlds and delved deep into lighting and lenses; but now our Focus On series is highlighting the intrepid and passionate filmmakers capturing the natural world in all its wonder. Take a walk on the wild side…
During pre-production, Ruari and I extensively discussed our approach to crafting a visual aesthetic that would complement our narrative, drawing from arcade theme. Our aim was to evoke the vibrant, colourful ambiance of arcades, infusing our film with a rich,…
THE MOVING IMAGE Cinematographer Rick Joaquim SASC loved the challenge of shooting the short film Stay Calm, set entirely in the back of an ambulance. Stay Calm is a 20-minute, edge-of-the-seat thriller, set entirely in the back of an ambulance…
RIDING THE WAVE Find out how Channel 4’s Big Mood depicts the flip from “up to down” experienced by its bipolar main character through the lens of cinematographer Daniel Stafford-Clark. Big Mood is my favourite kind of comedy; one with…
A little over a year ago, I got a message from my agent. It read simply: “Are you ready to be really excited?” What she was about to offer was the opportunity to work on an entire season for Paramount+…
BEHIND THE SCREENS Cinematographer Shane Hurlbut ASC reveals how alongside Rudy Mancuso – director, writer, actor and composer of Música – they approached an in-camera split-screen scene. Rudy Mancuso, the director, writer, actor and composer of Música, and I had…
WHAT’S IN A FRAME? Simon Rowling shares his framing and composition rules when crafting the visual grammar for eerie folk horror Lord of Misrule. In autumn 2021 I was sent the script for folk horror Lord of Misrule by my…
It’s four years since The Mandalorian landed to showcase the possibilities of virtual production. The technology and techniques have matured and are entering a new phase where creatives consider virtual production at the outset rather than adapting existing scripts to…
Technological trailblazer Virtual production pioneer project The Mandalorian gets its own spinoff where the technology is equally pivotal. With the arrival of Ahsoka, one of the most influential characters from the animated Star Wars universe gets her own live-action series…
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