Get ready to dive into the world of Sundance 2021! While this year’s festival may look a little different, the heart of it remains the same: showcasing impressive films. We had the chance to chat with the talented filmmakers behind some of the festival’s most talked-about features and shorts. From cameras to lenses to gear, we explored the technical specs that helped these films stand out.
One camera that made a big impact was the ARRI ALEXA Mini. This lightweight option was a popular choice for many small-budget indies and run-and-gun features. Sion Sono’s Prisoners of the Ghostland was one such feature, combining action, thriller, and horror elements with stunning cinematography by Sôhei Tanikawa. Tanikawa used the ALEXA Mini and Ultra Prime lens setup to capture organic shades of color and free acting from the actors.
Another popular camera at Sundance was the ARRI Amira, which was used to create the true film look without the expense of shooting on actual film. Zamarin Wahdat’s Bambirak was a standout short that utilized the Amira to create a unique and nostalgic feel. Wahdat and her DP Lorena Duran even used an old Angenieux zoom lens to achieve the desired look.
While the streets of Park City may not be bustling this year, the films at Sundance 2021 are just as impressive as ever. And now, armed with a little technical knowledge, you can appreciate them even more.Get ready to be blown away by the creative ingenuity of the filmmakers at this year’s Sundance Film Festival! With logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, these talented individuals had to find new and innovative ways to bring their stories to life. Take, for example, Carey Williams’ debut feature R#J, which is told from the perspective of the lead characters’ smartphones. To capture the organic, handheld feel of the film, Williams and cinematographer Diego Madrigal used two Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K’s with modified PL mounts and a set of lenses that included Zeiss Super Speeds and a Cooke anamorphic. The result is a fascinating blend of indie cinematography and smartphone-style storytelling that will leave you in awe.
In the short doc category, Aylin Gökmen’s Spirits and Rocks: An Azorean Myth stood out as a standout film. Shot on the Sony FS5, Gökmen and her cinematographer Marianna Vas had to navigate the challenges of solo videography and guerrilla-style documentary shooting to capture the stories of the inhabitants of a volcanic island. Luckily, the Sony FS5 is the perfect camera for run-and-gun filmmaking without compromising on cinematic quality footage.
Finally, Claudia Raschke used the Canon C300 Mark II to shoot the documentary feature My Name Is Pauli Murray, a beautiful tribute to the life and career of American civil and women’s rights activist Pauli Murray. With the Canon cinema primes, Raschke was able to capture beautiful colors, glowing skin tones, and a large dynamic range, even in low-light or extreme contrast situations. The Canon C300 Mark II is the perfect choice for documentary filmmaking, allowing filmmakers to remain nimble and reactive to capture those unpredictable moments gracefully.Get ready to be inspired by the incredible work of Director of Photography Claudia Raschke, who captured stunning footage for the Sundance documentary My Name Is Pauli Murray. Working alongside directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West, who also produced and directed the Academy Award-nominated documentary RBG, Raschke expertly weaved together a mix of media looks and styles to create a seamless and powerful story. Shot on the Canon C300, this documentary is a true masterclass in shining a light on important civil leaders.
But it’s not just documentaries that are making waves at Sundance. The feature film Superior, directed by Erin Vassilopoulos and shot by Mia Cioffi Henry on the ARRI 416 with Kodak Vision3 stocks, proves that the film look is just as prevalent and dominant as ever. Despite the challenges of using a film camera, Vassilopoulos and Henry were able to create luscious visuals that harken back to the best images of 1980s cinema. Telling the story of two identical twins with vastly different life paths, Superior confirms that if you want that truly cinematic look, the risk will always be worth the reward.
For more camera insights and film festival coverage, be sure to check out our other articles, including an interview with Assassins cinematographer John Benam, behind-the-scenes data on the most popular cameras at SXSW, and tips for filming undercover and undetected in documentaries.
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