Cinematography

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

Jonathan Pope
Ask Me Anything (AMA) 10/19 to 10/20- Documentary vs. Narrative Cinematography

Hello everyone!

I'm a cinematographer with over a decade of industry experience. Raised just outside of Atlanta, GA, I had a love of movies and a dream of filmmaking since I was very little. As my parents like to say, I knew how to put a VHS tape in a VCR almost as soon as I could walk.

I received my...

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Maurice Vaughan

Gotcha, Jonathan Pope. Thanks for the extra insight.

Pamela Jaye Smith

What interesting questions, answers, and comments from all here. Jonathan, your wide-ranging background and experience certainly come through with insights and advice. I especially like the idea of a...

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Xochi Blymyer

Jonathan - Yes, on the signal to roll! Even on scripted shows I've worked on, sometimes I see the camera pointing at a great sunset or something cool happening that gets filmed maybe while we are waiting for something. And some of these make it into the final cut. That's fun!

John January Noble

Parabéns pela experiência! Jonatan Papa, dizem que bons cineastas vêm da Geórgia? Gostaria de saber mais sobre isso.

Geoff Hall

Jonathan Pope thank you, Jonathan. The screenplay title is called “Breathe” and I wrote it during last year’s November Write Club. It’s on my bio page.

It’s a poetical conversation between a young poe...

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Ashley Renee Smith
What are your favorite cinema tools?

Hey DPs,

I was watching this interesting interview with Illya Friedman, discussing cinema technology and sharing his opinions on how to utilize the proper technology available for your goals.

I've known Illya for many years and so I've heard him share some of these thoughts before, but I'd love to k...

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Ty Strange

I felt sorry for Illya, Ashley Renee Smith. He seemed very pained by the constant drum of iPhone-making-movie questions.

My takeaway boils down to this: Easy doesn't necessarily equal good. If you're...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Ty Strange, I completely agree. It was clear that he'd rather talk about something else, but the question kept coming back around. It definitely takes a lot of extras to film something of quality on a...

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Ty Strange

Ashley, I can certainly appreciate the challenge in filming something with everyday equipment or tech, but it strikes me as more about bragging rights than proof of concept. I don't feel a cinematic seismic shift in the making.

Gareth Taylor

I could not even finish watching this interview. The questions are so redundant and it's painful really. Everyone is so focused on tech that it has become a hindrance to filmmaking and the process as...

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Sam Sokolow
Stage 32 Presents: Global Film & TV Production Summit

So excited for tomorrow's virtual Global Film & TV Production Summit hosted by Stage 32 as part this week's celebration of the launch of The Stage 32 Certification Program!

Please join us tomorrow at 9am PT for this exclusive FREE virtual summit where top executives from the entertainment industry c...

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Maurice Vaughan
FREE! Stage 32 2023 Global Film & TV Production Summit!

This Thursday, Stage 32 is bringing together top executives from the entertainment industry to explore the ever-evolving landscape of global film and television production.

There will be speakers from HBO/MAX, Emmy-nominated hit show THE BEAR (Hulu), Emmy-nominated hit show GENIUS (Disney/NatGeo),...

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Ashley Renee Smith
Mark Your Calendars For An AMA This THURSDAY!

Hey, DPs!

Mark your calendars for all of the exciting 24-Hour Ask Me Anythings happening on Stage 32 this October!

Including a fantastic AMA with Emmy-Nominated Director of Photography and Stage 32 Thought Leader, Jonathan Pope right here in the Cinematography Lounge on October 19th. Jonathan will be...

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Maurice Vaughan
The Future of Film School is Here – Stage 32 Launches Global Entertainment Career Certifications

The BIG reveal is here! Stage 32 is offering online Certification Courses at a fraction of film school cost!

Stage 32 Certification will be recognized worldwide.

And...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Thank you for sharing, Maurice Vaughan! This is a game-changer!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Ashley Renee Smith. Definitely a game-changer that'll save people a lot of time and money.

Suzanne Bronson
Sam Sokolow

Excited for the meetup! Look forward to seeing everyone who can make it there. Thanks, Suzanne Bronson!

Maurice Vaughan
Ask Me Anything with Jonathan Pope - October 19th

Stage 32 has exciting AMAs coming up!

On October 19th, Jonathan Pope (award-winning and Emmy-nominated Cinematographer) is having an Ask Me Anything here in the Cinematography Lounge.

Jonathan will be answering questions all day, specifically about documentary vs. narrative cinematography.

Get your questions ready.

Sam Rivera

what a great read, what a legend J. Austin Gentry

Sam Sokolow

This is a great read - really interesting and bravo to Freidkin.

Gareth Taylor

Thanks for sharing J. Austin Gentry .

Sam Sokolow
Learn The Fundamentals Of VFX

In this new Stage 32 webinar, you will learn the fundamentals of visual effects from Kenneth Lui, award-winning director of ARTISTS IN AGONY: HITMEN AT THE CODA TEAHOUSE, and a visual effects artist on Marvel's DR. STARNGE, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, GUARDIANS O...

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Maurice Vaughan
Coffee & Content: Gareth Edwards' Sci-Fi Film School

Stage 32’s founder, Richard "RB" Botto, shares two videos in today’s blog.

In the first video, THE CREATOR director Gareth Edwards (also the director of ROGUE ONE) explains the cinematic and visual references that he utilized and was inspired by while working on the new film about a future war with A...

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Gareth Taylor

Thanks for sharing Maurice Vaughan . Gareth Edwards is awesome to listen to. He learned everything by doing and that's why he's so knowledgeable and efficient at what he does.

Like so many things in l...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Gareth Taylor. I remember seeing something about companies using blue and orange on movie posters because those colors together attract people to the posters. I wonder if that has anyt...

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Geoff Hall
Roger Deakins on Lenses

Here’s my mate Rog, talking, briefly, about lenses.

(I’ll have to find the whole of this conversation). I always find he has a great way of talking about the technical and aesthetic side of his work.

https://youtu.be/7C5XpuC2Lmw?si=N73TzxqC0qC_7vVG...

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Sam Sokolow

There are few better in the history of the craft that Deakins. 1917 was a masterpiece and he waste best thing in Blade Runner 2049. His every word is worth listening to.

Matt Stahley

His website and forum is a wealth of knowledge from him and other greats like David Mullen.

Maurice Vaughan

It's incredible how changing lenses can change the mood of a scene and have a different impact on the audience, Geoff Hall. I think screenwriters can benefit from learning about lenses for those reaso...

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Stephen Folker

Love hearing his talk about lenses. He is a master of his craft!

Geoff Hall

Gareth Taylor thank you Gareth. I meant to look for it. Thanks for the link.

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