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Finch Cinematography (with Jo Willems ASC SBC) GCS289 Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Discover how FINCH cinematographer Jo Willems ASC SBC overcame the challenges of filming the relationship between Tom Hanks, a dog, and a motion capture robot. Jo and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss the film's unique look and creating intimacy with the camera. Learn how Jo filmed the desert scenes practically, the decision to shoot handheld, embracing lens artifacts, and so much more.

Jo and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss

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What you will learn in this episode

Intimacy through cinematography (00:53)
Warm inviting approach to lighting the bunker (10:47)
Ignoring negative reviews (14:04)
Finch visual approach and references (17:03)
Filming desert scenes practically (19:38)
Heavily artifacting the lenses (25:21)
Challenges with filming an actual RV (30:56)
Filming a motion capture suit while handheld (34:02)
VFX approach of the robotChallenges of filming dogs (40:58)
Why night exteriors are so difficult (45:21)
And more!

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Impeachment: American Crime Story (with Simon Dennis BSC) GCS288 Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Cinematographer Simon Dennis BSC of IMPEACHMENT: American Crime Story masterfully depicted one of the most iconic moments in American history while capturing portrayals of Monica Lewinsky, Linda Tripp, and of course Bill & Hillary Clinton.

Simon and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss the show's desaturated look, claustrophobic feeling, why he chose the Sony Venice, working with split diopters, and inventing a new visual genre… "Gloom Glam".

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What you will learn in this episode

Balance of filming non-fictional projects (00:59)
"Glamorous gloom" visual approach (10:08)
Simon's stylistic lighting approach (12:58)
Warm visual approach to the White House (17:53)
Dreary look of the Pentagon (20:40)
Not having characters motivate cinematography (27:46)
Using a split diopter (30:37)
Why Simon chose the Sony Venice (36:15)
Feeling of claustrophobia (42:02)
Why the jury trial scene was so challenging (46:37)
Making the mundane exciting through cinematography (49:24)
Monica Lewinsky's involvement with the show (53:05)
And more!

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Dune Cinematography (with Greig Fraser ACS ASC) GCS287 Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

DUNE, with its stunning cinematography and epic sets, was packed with unique challenges for director of photography Greig Fraser ACS ASC -- including filming in whipping sands and lighting football field sized sets.

Greig and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss discuss how he balances epic and intimate, his techniques for large night exteriors, embracing the shadows and Greig's unique film transfer process that jumps from digital to film and back again.

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What you will learn in this episode

Treating every movie like an indie (01:48)
Taking on projects you fear (05:27)
Soft lighting for interiors (11:09)
Lighting sandy exteriors (16:18)
Visual approach to DUNE (18:26)
Film to digital transfer process (21:36)
Balancing epicness with intimacy (29:04)
Sand worm collaboration with VFX (33:27)
Having actors' faces in shadow (38:10)
Viewing DUNE in theaters vs HBO Max (43:32)
Most challenging scene (46:56)
How the floating lights were filmed (51:15)
Lighting for night exteriors (54:09)
And more!

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Gun Safety on Film Sets (with Bryan W. Carpenter) GCS286 Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

The tragic death of Cinematogarpher Halyna Hutchins has ignited a worldwide conversation about gun safety on film sets. Armorer Bryan W Carpenter joins us to discuss current safety standards and what protocols were missed leading up to the tragic shooting.

Bryan and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss pros and cons of practical firearms vs visual effects, the difference between "blanks" and "dummy" ammunition, and what a "prop gun" actual is.

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What you will learn in this episode

Role of an armorer (01:21)
Types of prop guns (05:27)
What happened on the set of RUST (08:39)
Round types and safety distances (12:27)
Steps to ensure safety on set (23:28)
Certification for armorers (36:26)
Replacing prop guns with vfx (39:26)
America's gun obsession (47:14)
Preventing this tragedy from happening again (48:51)
And more

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Halyna Hutchins Scholarship Fund

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Dark Thirty Film's website

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Halloween Kills Cinematography (with Michael Simmonds) GCS285 Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

HALLOWEEN KILLS is packed with gory murders and cinematography that elevates the horror genre. Cinematographer Michael Simmonds returns to discuss the film's camera choices, lighting techniques and visual approach while breaking down the most challenging kill scenes.

Michael and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss filming the 1978 flashbacks, Michael's use of zoom lenses, how the house fire scene was shot, telling micro stories within scenes, and more!

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What you will learn in this episode

What Michael enjoys about cinematography (01:07)
Transitioning from comedy to horror (08:12)
Filming the 1978 flashback sequences (11:40)
Why horror movies are perfect for zoom lenses (15:27)
Micro stories within scenes (21:03)
Breaking down how the house fire scene was shot (25:22)
Filming night time scenes (33:21)
Filming the hospital scenes (37:48)
Working with hundreds of extras on set (41:26)
Breaking down some of the kill scenes (44:30)
And more!

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Michael Simmonds' IMDb

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No Time To Die Cinematography (with Linus Sandgren FSF ASC) GCS284 Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

NO TIME TO DIE not only elevates the 007 universe, but it is filled with stunningly beautiful and logistically challenging cinematography. Director of Photographer Linus Sandgren FSF ASC talks lighting, lensing, locations and of course STUNTS!

Linus and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss finding the spirit of James Bond and using hand-held IMAX cameras to blend classic 007 storytelling with new filmmaking technologies.

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What you will learn in this episode

Visual approach to James Bond movies (00:51)
Pre-lighting sets using miniatures (07:58)
Shooting on IMAX handheld (13:41)
Grounding stunts in reality (21:31)
Filming in various locations around the world (24:59)
Challenges and logistics of NO TIME TO DIE (33:38)
And more!

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Producing Halsey's If I Can't Love, I Want Power (with Jamee Ranta) GCS283 Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Rather than releasing a series of music videos, Halsey has released a short film featuring her latest album IF I CAN'T LOVE, I WANT POWER. Music video producer Jamee Ranta gives us a behind the scenes look at making the film and music videos for other iconic artists.

Jamee and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss the decision to create this short film, how a producer is involved in the creative process, breaking into the music video industry, and more!

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What you will learn in this episode

Shooting and releasing the film on IMAX (01:09)
Producer's involvement in the creative process (09:33)
The role of a producer (12:53)
Why it's important to have technical knowledge (22:28)
Ensuring your crew remains happy (26:31)
Music videos vs films (31:12)
Examining the music video industry (40:17)
How to break into the music video industry (46:06)
And more!

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Film Strike (with Jim Denault ASC) GCS282 Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

By a nearly unanimous margin, IATSE members in TV and film production vote to authorize a nationwide strike. Cinematographer Jim Denault ASC explains the proposed changes union workers are looking for and why they matter.

Jim and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss the existing working conditions, what has changed over the decades in the industry, the opposition to the new terms, worldwide support, and more!

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What you will learn in this episode

Changing the film working conditions (01:19)
Length of average film production days (05:30)
Fighting for longer turnaround times (11:10)
Varying rates depending on project (15:38)
Opposition to these new terms (20:21)
Improvements for meal breaks (24:35)
Unions supporting each other worldwide (30:38)
The importance of having a union (33:21)
And more!

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IATSE website

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Jim Denault ASC's website
Jim Denault ASC's IMDb

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Fear Street Cinematography (with Caleb Heymann) GCS281 Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

Imagine having only six weeks to prep for an entire movie trilogy, each one having its own distinct look. That was exactly the reality for cinematographer Caleb Heymann with Netflix's Fear Street trilogy.

Caleb and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss relying on candles and sunlight for the 1666 movie, creating that incredible bread machine kill scene, how to deal with the challenges of neon colored lighting, and more!

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What you will learn in this episode

Having only 6 weeks to prep 3 films (01:01)
Adapting quickly as a cinematographer (08:43)
Relying on candles and sunlight for 1666 (11:00)
Using filtration with the Alexa Mini for 1666 (17:17)
Filming 1666 without practical lights (22:35)
1994's horror movie inspiration (28:38)
Creating the bread machine kill scene (35:20)
Challenges of using neon lighting on set (42:24)
Characteristics you get with vintage lenses (49:50)
HALLOWEEN style visual approach for 1978 (53:45)
And more!

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The White Lotus Cinematography (with Ben Kutchins) GCS280 Aug 28, 2021

Show notes

THE WHITE LOTUS features incredible voyeuristic-style cinematography that constantly keeps you on edge. Director of photography Ben Kutchins explains his unique visual approach and the difficulty of filming in an actual hotel.

Ben and Go Creative Show host, Ben Consoli, discuss the juxtaposition between the warm color palette and plot, filming with as much natural light as possible, constantly rolling with the punches on set, and much more!

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What you will learn in this episode

The crazy writing of THE WHITE LOTUS (01:39)
Not having firm rules in cinematography (01:42)
Achieving voyeuristic cinematography (08:03)
Embarrassment through cinematography tricks (13:19)
Warm color palette of THE WHITE LOTUS (17:43)
Masterclass in covering dialogue scenes (22:06)
Shooting with Super Baltar and Cooke lenses (32:27)
Primarily using natural lighting (35:13)
Logistics of filming in an actual hotel (41:17)
Filming the water and boat scenes (48:32)
Not worrying about realism with sunlight (52:07)
Having to roll with the punches on set (57:06)
Filming Paul McCartney's latest music video (01:02:21)
And more!

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