Cinematography Salon Lol Crawley: VistaVision, Underexposure and The Brutalist (Special Camerimage Episode)
Feb 6, 2025
Lol Crawley, a renowned cinematographer known for his work with Brady Corbet, dives into the artistry behind 'The Brutalist.' He discusses the bold visual choices that highlight the interplay of maximalism and minimalism, alongside his daring use of underexposure. Crawley shares insights on framing iconic symbols like the Statue of Liberty, emphasizing the magic of perspective. He also contrasts the spontaneity of location shooting with the control of studio environments, showcasing how each choice impacts the emotional depth of visual storytelling.
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Light as Design
- Lol Crawley describes the challenge of recreating Laszlo's architectural vision, where light is integral to the design.
- He explains the technical difficulties of projecting a precise cross of light onto the altarpiece, using moving lights with hard shutters.
Filming Icons
- Lol Crawley discusses the challenge of filming iconic symbols like the Statue of Liberty in a fresh way.
- Their approach focused on capturing the emotional impression and disorientation of arriving in a new world, rather than a literal representation.
Dreamlike Imagery
- Lol Crawley shares how a dream sequence in The Brutalist, with stuttery zoom-ins, was inspired by John Mathieson's work in Love Is the Devil.
- They used a modified camera in maintenance mode to create streaking highlights for a transcendental effect during a lovemaking scene.