1917 Flare Scene + Capturing Isolation

Hi Roger,

Just want to preface this post by saying I admire your work and whole-heartedly thank you for all you’ve done for the industry. I am only 16, yet I have embarked on a journey of filmmaking with a heavy focus on cinematography, with you as one of my idols, and I think it is so cool you have set up a forum where people can ask you all sorts of questions!

I understand that you might receive this comment frequently, and you may hear people saying, “you probably hear this a lot,” and here I am, adding to that repetition. But I truly mean it.

Now heres my question for you –

I’m a big history enthusiast, and I’ve always had the dream of creating an authentically Australian WW1/2 film, akin to “Gallipoli” (1981, Mel Gibson). In my short film, I’d like to incorporate a scene similar to the one in 1917 where the flare illuminates the battlefield. How did you achieve those looming, ominous rolling shadows? Did you simply light up a flare, or was there a more intricate setup? Is there a cost-effective/DIY way to achieve this effect?

Another question (I apologize for the lengthy post!): How would you recommend capturing the sense of homesickness and the confinement of the battlefield through the camera lens? Would close-ups with a shallow depth of field be the most effective approach, or should I predominantly use long shots to convey isolation, similar to the way you portrayed the cityscape in “Blade Runner”?

I’m looking forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Nathan