The place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on all things lighting, framing, cameras, lenses and technique
I’ve officially made it through cleanup and the rough edit on The Shape of Kindness.
The cut is together. The temp score is in (and I’m quietly hoping it survives to the final cut). I also did a very rough color pass — not to “finish” anything, but to help communicate tone, pacing, and emotional inte...
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The breakdown dives into the collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos on Bugonia and how the...
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How many camera people/cinematographers can you think of that have gone from shooting movies to running the whole show?
I'm having a hard time finding this kind of info, but I'd sure like to know. Anyone you can think of, post her/his name below.
Hi Morgan: What exactly is the info you're looking for? Need some more info so we can better provide information.
Mostly, I'm interested in names of cinematographers that have gone from being on-set technicians into full on producing. For instance, starting their own production companies.
Cinematographer, Michael Bauman, breaks down how 'One Battle After Another' blends the rich detail of VistaVision with the raw, gritty energy of 1970s cinema. From practical car chases inspired by 'The French Connection' to pushing vintage film cameras to their limits, he shares how the film’s most...
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Great share, Pat Alexander! Thanks. The River of Hills chase scene in One Battle After Another is one of the best, most suspenseful, most unique chase scenes I've ever watched....
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Lately I’ve been thinking about the moments that quietly pull us back to why we do this in the first place. Not the big wins or the chaos of production, but those small “oh yeah… this is it” moments.
Was it a film or show that hit you unexpectedly? A scene that stuck with you days later? A memory fro...
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Hi, Lindsay Thompson. Getting a script idea, outlining a script, watching a movie/show, etc. remind me why I love creating, like watching the latest episode of Fallout....
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Hi, Lindsay Thompson. I love this reflection. For me, the reminder came from watching One Battle After Another, where everything clicked: the script, the acting, and the direction. The harmony of thos...
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I don't know about the rest of you, but as a DP on an initial scout, I sometimes have a hard time using both parts of my brain. When I enter a location, I'm either thinking about the technical logistics (power supply, setup time, number of windows, ceiling height, and even the distance from other lo...
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My primary scouting punch list focuses on where the natural light falls throughout the day, allowing me to predict where our sources need to be placed to fit the ambiance. I then worry about power and...
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Autumn Durald becomes the first woman of color, and a huge win for Filipinos everywhere! I remember watching her project with Gia Coppola for PALO ALTO back in high school, and learning she was Filipino was a huge win for me!
Read more about her historic nomination! https://variety.com/2026/artisans/...
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Well deserved! Sinners looks incredible, Sam Rivera! I've never seen a movie like it.
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!
Never seen a below the line roundtable before. Felt like a cool thing to share!
I don't think I've seen a below the line roundtable, Pat Alexander. Thanks for sharing it. I'm looking forward to seeing Marty Supreme! It looks incredible from the clips I've seen! The colors really...
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I love it! Thanks for sharing, Pat!
Succession is gripping to watch for so many reasons, but one of them is because it puts you in the room with the characters. This isn't just in a way to show you whats going on, but it is done in a way that lends subtle emphasis on emotion and adds a well crafted extra layer to the storytelling. Som...
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Must-watch video, Ewan Dunbar! I like watching shows and movies that put me in the room with the characters, and I like writing that way! I'm trying to get better at it. This video helps. Thanks for s...
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So much this! I love immersing the audience!
You can see this in Community as well to a lesser extent. In the study room there is always one empty chair which is often thought of as being for the audience.
There are moments where explanation would only get in the way.
Genesis is one of those moments.
For 30 minutes, the sacred space of St. Peter’s Church in Nuremberg becomes something else entirely — not a venue, not a spectacle, but a space of perception. Light, sound and movement unfold quietly, patie...
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I agree, Dan Martin Roesch. Sometimes I want a character to say something or I want to explain something in action lines in my script, but the moment is more meaningful and the scene is better without...
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Maurice Vaughan I really appreciate your comments and reflections on my posts — they resonated deeply with me. Your perspective feels thoughtful and genuinely motivating, especially at a time when I’m...
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You're welcome, Dan Martin Roesch. Thanks for making these posts. Keep them coming!
Pat dropped a really solid breakdown on why characters are the make-or-break element of a script, even if the plot is tight and the dialogue is snappy. The big idea is that memorable characters live in two layers at once: the external version we see on the surface (job, vibe, role in the story) and...
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I use a clear want/need a lot in my scripts, Lindsay Thompson. I even give characters who show up for like 20 seconds a want/need.
In this wide-ranging conversation, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw ASC sits down with Panavision Senior Vice President of Optical Engineering Dan Sasaki to break down the visual language of Sinners — from early format experiments to shooting large-format IMAX film with lenses designed to have...
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The cinematography in Sinners is phenomenal, Pat Alexander! I'm looking forward to rewatching it (I watched it twice) and paying more attention to the cinematography! Thanks for sharing the video....
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Love the use of texture in this film - this is a great share Pat Alexander Thank you!
I've seen so many interviews with her and why she and Coogler chose 65. Such a smart and fantstic choice for such a brilliant movie.
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Congratulations on making it through cleanup and the rough edit, Lindsay Thompson! The shot looks great! Do you usually do a very rough color pass?
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Huge congratulations on hitting this milestone with The Shape of Kindness. The shift you describe from "one vision" to trusting a collaborative process is one of the most profound and difficult steps...
Expand commentHuge congratulations on hitting this milestone with The Shape of Kindness. The shift you describe from "one vision" to trusting a collaborative process is one of the most profound and difficult steps for any creator. Letting the cut breathe and actively creating space for other artists to elevate it shows incredible maturity in your craft. I'd be happy to share a webinar that could be beneficial https://www.stage32.com/education/products/post-production-101-your-step...