In his interview on the American Cinematographer podcast, Crescenzo Notarile ASC says when he was shooting CSI that he would do his closeups from 40 feet away using 150mm to 250mm lenses (as opposed to Gotham where he uses 21mm to 32mm).
As mainly a stills photographer, I understand where he's going, most people look a lot better with longer lenses. However, the farthest I get from my still subjects is 10 or 15 feet. Forty feet away would be a whole other universe...
So, in cinematography is there an advantage to shooting with such long lenses besides the flattering look and change in subject-background relationship?
Does it change the actor's dynamic with the camera? What other benefits does it bestow?
Thanks