Visualising Shots

[tomladenburg]

Hi Roger,

As someone who takes huge inspiration from your cinematography, I’m curious as to your process when it comes to visualising the shots of a film. Do the images come into your head fully-formed, or do you have a more methodical approach to identify the shot selection you want to use? Is it perhaps a combination of both?

It’d be great to hear anything about your work.

Thanks,
Tom

Topic

[Roger Deakins]

I visualize the lighting of a scene and am usually disappointed by the way I can transfer what is in my head to the screen. The composition of a shot and the movement of the camera within a scene comes less fully formed and is usually found in collaboration with the director and the actors. That is true even when you make storyboards with the director. The shot fully-forms only when the camera starts rolling. Even then, take two can be better!

[Author]

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