Justin Hayward

I just heard the quote from Jean-Luc Godard, "Critics are soldiers who fire on their own men."

I've also been on the flip side of this coin where I went into over-time covering something from every conceivable angle, because I assumed they would appreciate options, which they usually do. Then I see the final cut and they wound up only using two shots. Now it looks like I wasted time getting stuff we don't need, because I don't have a vision. Kind of a catch 22. I've often wondered if directing a big franchise movie for a studio is like this, but times a thousand.

I like this approach if only because it's more fun to plan. I call it the "puzzle piece" approach where each shot fits in a place to make the whole. It's funny though, if you try this in the world of advertising you can get into trouble, which is something I learned the hard way. The one thing agency people like more than their trendy clothes are options. Since I'm almost never invited to the edit and since being in an edit suite is NOT being in their office... they like to milk the edit session for everything it's worth. Which, if not covered like crazy, can lead to some pretty funky cut jobs.

At a certain point it's like yelling at someone because they like donuts. I don't like donuts, but I understand that some people do. I really like medium rare cheeseburgers, but my in-laws hate them... along with my taste in pretty much anything film related.

I shot this for my brother in law a couple years ago on a DSLR. Those cameras don't have much latitude which makes them naturally contrasty... which actually lends itself to black and white. I mostly just looked for contrast and exposed for it.

The flip side to this coin are people that live by hard and fast rules without a specific reason other than this is the way they like it. Years ago I worked on a commercial for a DP that insisted on only edge lighting from the key side... no matter what. Didn't matter if it was motivated, unmotivated, or the other. Edge light equals key light side... period. I remember thinking how strange it was that he didn't care to look at any other possibilities. As if there were nothing better in the world of lighting than edge lighting from the key light side. Okay fine.

Yessir!

You guys play too hard. I feel like I'm in the minors playing against the majors!

One of my favorite movie podcasts... Filmspotting SVU

I remember Michael Caine calling Christopher Nolan the next David Lean... After watching this trailer, I'm not sure he's wrong.

Very interesting, thanks for posting. When the first article mentioned "The King's Speech", I immediately related to what some of these guys are screaming about. I only saw that movie once, but, for me, the framing started as distracting, then became annoying. I'm sure Tom Hooper has a perfectly fine reason for those choices, but I was pulled out of the movie because of them. Which also illustrates why some finesse and a little subtlety can make those choices work so well.

Thanks, I was just kidding around. I know I'm a genius. :P :lol:

I think some of you are overestimating my intelligence. I'm not that smart. I look at images and nod "yes" or shake "no". :P But seriously, I think those Gordon Willis shots look great and what I mean by "look great" is they stimulate my aesthetic... they excite my taste... I like them... regardless of the context. But in context, even better!

I just think the framing looks cool. Maybe that means I like bad lighting and bad acting too, but I hope not. ;)

I like it too. And sometimes only because I like unusual compositions. For some reason it tends to feel more like a painting, which I like.

Oh my gosh. I just re-watched that movie on my projector less than a year ago, but that image was still totally confusing. I'm slipping into old age forgetfulness, I guess.

Yup! One of my favorite movies.

Hint: I piggybacked your "Interiors" theme.

Love this game...

"Interiors"?

I guess I wouldn't do anything that's particularly uncreative if you're in the business of being creative.

Totally agree, but at least stuff like this shows up occasionally... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACqhllxK9Wk I really love seeing the director of one of the super low budget movies I grew up watching (and laughing hysterically while watching called "Friday") direct one of the biggest movie franchises of my lifetime... and it does really well... and even better... breaks records??? It's just cool.

LOL! Must be intense to be in the middle of some of that action. What a fun job.

Wow, that's crazy. Congrats! I'm guessing Universal is a happy working environment today. Since you're "A" camera, do you see much of the big action work being shot or are you primarily involved in the smaller scenes with the main actors? Edit: not that I would call the scenes with the main actors in a Fast and Furious movie "small"...

When I found out youtube uploaded every Oscar telecast dating back to it's first year, I've been catching up on some Oscars. Steve Martin presenting the 1981 cinematographer Oscar is pretty funny... and you know, great win.