Cinematography

The place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on all things lighting, framing, cameras, lenses and technique

Ashley Renee Smith
Panavision's New Anamorphic Lens!

Great news, DPs & Camera Enthusiasts!

Panavision is celebrating 70 years of filmmaking with the release of a new anamorphic-rental-only lens, the Ultra Panatar II. The lens features a 1.3x squeeze, and a warm-hued flare, and covers a 46mm diagonal. It looks pretty awesome!

What does everyone else thi...

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Ashley Renee Smith

John January Noble, I'm not a Cinematographer myself, but my husband is a very talented Lens Tech, so my home is filled with various types of lenses and I spend a lot of time talking about them. Lol!...

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John January Noble

Nick Phillips The world of cameras is wonderful. It's like producing, like drinking good wine! I get drunk every day!

John January Noble

Ashley Renee Smith What a spectacle, the husband is a teacher. I imagine your camera and lens archive. He must have a beautiful story with these children!

Ashley Renee Smith

Oh yeah, John January Noble. He's a lens designer as well. So I get to hear about lens specs, re-housing specs, design specs, and image styles all the time. He's incredibly passionate about what he do...

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John January Noble
Pat Alexander
Super Early Bird Deadline Today: 9th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest

Hey friends, today is the Super Early Bird Deadline for the 9th Annual Stage 32 Short Film Contest! For the 9th straight year, Stage 32 is looking for the best short films you've got! Over the last 8 years, Stage 32 has screened its winning filmmakers’ films at some of the most prestigious festivals...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Twisters News!

Have you seen the new Twisters trailer yet? I think it looks so cool!

I didn't know that the Twisters movie was shot by legendary Dan Mindel ASC, BSC, SASC purely on film (ARRIFLEX 435, ARRIFLEX 535B, and Panaflex Millennium XL2), in order to maintain the look of the first movie. What a great choice!...

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Twisters IMAX Trailer Released: Shot on Film - Y.M.Cinema Magazine
Twisters IMAX Trailer Released: Shot on Film - Y.M.Cinema Magazine
Twisters movie was shot by legendary Dan Mindel purely on film (ARRIFLEX 435, ARRIFLEX 535B, and Panaflex Millennium XL2).
Fran Harris

Amazing casting in original! Quirky, uncomfortable chemistry! . That’s when I really saw the range of Helen Hunt!!!!

Ashley Renee Smith

Agreed, Fran Harris! Helen gives a next-level performance in the original!

Nick Phillips

This was the standout movie ad from the Super Bowl for me. Looks cool!

Ashley Renee Smith

Same here, Nick Phillips! It looks so fun!

Stephen Folker
Your Camera is a Tool! Go for it!

This past summer, I filmed my no-budget, no-crew feature film on a Sony A7siii / A7iv w/cheap lights off amazon, using garbage bags to shape / diffuse the light. The film has already secured distribution.

Just wanted to share encouragement to filmmakers who are trying to get their next project off t...

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Jaap Ruurd Feitsma

This is great, Stephen Folker! You clearly have a great eye for framing, (camera) movement, adding visual subtext, etc. through visual storytelling (by indeed using the camera as a tool). And that's w...

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Stephen Folker

Jaap Ruurd Feitsma thank you for the kind words. Appreciate it. :)

John January Noble

Stephen Folker You have a great ability to move with the camera. And a beautiful photograph together with the script. Beautiful work. A brilliant idea to escape anonymity. I have my cameras and a scri...

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Stephen Folker

John January Noble that's fantastic! Please keep me informed when it's done! I'd love to see it!

John January Noble

Stephen Folker Of course yes, it will be my first short film. When it's ready, I'll share it.

Mario Leone
Shaping Shadows and Water: The Artistry of Cinematic Lighting Principles

The Shape of Water and Lighting!

During the filming of "Crimson Peak," Guillermo del Toro handed cinematographer Dan Laustsen the screenplay for "The Shape of Water." Laustsen initially wondered how they would shoot the unique story of a mute woman falling in love with a humanoid-amphibian creature...

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Ryan Christiansen

It looks very effective! I haven't seen this film but I've seen Crimson Peak :)

Jaap Ruurd Feitsma

Out of curiosity, Maurice Vaughan, do you write and direct your own films? Only asking since I'm not always certain producers, directors, DP's, Art directors enjoy reading that kind of stuff in script...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Jaap Ruurd Feitsma. I only write scripts. I don't have any interest in directing. I only add color symbolization and other symbolization in my scripts if they're important to the story.

"I always l...

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Jaap Ruurd Feitsma

Yeah that makes sense, Maurice Vaughan! Thanks. Codes and conventions, in particular semiotics might be very useful, too in that regard :)

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Jaap Ruurd Feitsma.

Ashley Renee Smith
2 In-Person Stage 32 Meetups This Week!

Hey, All!

There are 2 Stage 32 in-person networking meetups coming up this Thursday, February 15th! I'm including links to the meetup pages for you all below. If you live in any of these cities or are nearby, be sure to RSVP and seize this opportunity to meet with other creatives in person and help b...

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Sam Sokolow

Two great cities that'll have two great meetups. Thanks, Ashley Renee Smith!

Ashley Renee Smith

Yeah, I'm excited Sam Sokolow! I wish I could be in multiple places at once!

Ashley Renee Smith
Tomorrow's Ask Me Anything in the Filmmaking Lounge with SAG Nominated Stunt Performer & Coordinator!

Hey, All!

Don't miss out on tomorrow’s fantastic AMA with Philippe Deseck, SAG Nominated Stunt Performer & Coordinator (SHANG-CHI, THE MEG, AQUAMAN) in the Filmmaking Lounge! Philippe is sharing his time with us to answer YOUR questions about "Working with a Stunt Coordinator".

The questions won’t be...

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Maurice Vaughan
Coffee & Content: ‘Maestro’ Cinematographer Breaks Down Emotional Single-Shot Scene

Stage 32’s founder and CEO, Richard “RB” Botto, shares two videos in his “Coffee & Content” blog series.

In the first video, “Maestro” cinematographer Matty Libatique talks about the emotional Thanksgiving fight scene in the film, done in a single shot.

In the second video, host Stephen Colbert sit...

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Dustin Richardson

What did you think of the film "Maestro," Maurice Vaughan? Bradley sure was impressive.

Maurice Vaughan

I haven't seen "Maestro" yet, Dustin Richardson, but it's near the top of my watchlist. Excited to check it out.

Maurice Vaughan
How to Shoot Horror Films That Scare The Bejesus Out Of Your Audience!

In today’s blog, Shawn Yeo (independent filmmaker and cinematographer) shares a survival guide of things to keep in mind when shooting a horror film.

www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-shoot-horror-films-that-scare-the-bejesus-ou......

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Ryan Christiansen

Sounds good Maurice! The scarier....the better!!!

Maurice Vaughan

Definitely, Ryan Christiansen. I don't make movies but one thing that helps me write scary scripts is putting my fears in the script.

Debbie Croysdale

Thanks @Maurice “Hazer” a great tip.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Debbie Croysdale. I use some of the tips when I write Horror scripts, especially Atmosphere & Location.

Jack Murphy
Cinematography HELP

Hey guys, I recently just came out with a new horror short film. As you know I make films for very cheap and only use one camera. I wanted to go with a "green" look for the film since I believed in made it look more scary. Someone, please let me guys know what you think and what I did well and could...

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Mark Giacomin

Congrats on the short. I know zero about cinematography, but I liked the 'green' look, to me it contributed to the unease after something wasn't where it was supposed to be.

Mark Giacomin

As an addendum to this, while it was a long time ago, I recall being struck by the colour tone of a film called 'Piercing'.

Ryan Christiansen

That's awesome! I have no idea about cinematography but I love the "green" look. You had me scared! I thought the girl would be back with a second warning but I wasn't expecting that to happen! I subscribed to your channel :) Congrats! I loved your work!

John H Legend

Good stuff man. Color grading needs work. I would grade skin tones on a separate node. Too much green in them.

Ashley Renee Smith
Top Gun III Is A Go!

Well, it seems that Top Gun 3 is officially in the works, albeit slowly. It's going to be interesting to see how they try to top what they did in TG2 visually. My husband worked on some of the lenses that they used to film TG2 and I was blown away by the final visuals of the film.

What do you all hop...

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Top Gun III Is A Go! - Y.M.Cinema Magazine
Top Gun III Is A Go! - Y.M.Cinema Magazine
It appears (revealed by the Hollywood Reporter) that 'Top Gun 3' is in the works at Paramount. Many audiences think that this is a mistake because Top Gun: Maverick was at its peak and an installment…
Sam Rivera

So surprised (yet not) surprised that they are actually making a third!

Ashley Renee Smith

Me too, Sam Rivera!

Ashley Renee Smith

Maurice Vaughan, we rewatched the first one before seeing Maverick and I was glad that I did. It made the small references more clear.

Sam Sokolow

If a film makes over a billion dollars it should have a sequel. I LOVED the first TOP GUN - it was definitional for me when I was young. I LOVED the second - it turned the industry around when it need...

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Ryan Christiansen

Wow! That's awesome news!! I loved Maverick. The flight scenes were phenomenal!!

Karen "Kay" Ross
‘Maestro’ Cinematographer Matthew Libatique on Collaborating with Bradley Cooper: ‘He’s Evolved’

What are your big takeaways?

https://variety.com/2024/film/awards/maestro-cinematographer-matthew-libatique-bradley-cooper-1235894357/

Ashley Renee Smith

Matty is so crazy talented! I haven't seen Maestro yet, but I'm excited to because I'm a fan of Matty's work!

Nick Phillips

Yeah he's one of the best DP's working today!

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