Robert Richardson, ASC: The cinematography of Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
06/09/2024
The all-star cast for Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood is headed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt playing a TV actor and stuntman, respectively, who cross paths with the Charles Manson cult.
Robert Richardson ASC, Cinematographer, on the set of Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood.
The director's longtime cinematographer Robert Richardson, ASC returns behind the camera, having lensed every Tarantino picture since Kill Bill (Vols 1 and 2), to shoot 1969 Los Angeles in primary colors of sky blue and sunset gold. Richardson returned to Panavision in Woodland Hills, the same facility where the filmmakers collaborated on the groundbreaking large-format release of The Hateful Eight (2015) as well as Django Unchained (2012).
When I first met with Quentin to read (Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood), he told me he was uncertain if he would shoot in 70 or 35 or perhaps a mixture of both. Over time, he decided to shoot 35mm. One of the prime reasons was that Quentin had designed a series of shots that were to utilize a zoom and that's not currently an option in 70mm.
Quentin Tarantino checks the frame for a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.
Thinking that a certain amount of handheld shots might form part of Tarantino's design, Richardson chose the Panaflex Millennium XL2 as ergonomically the most balanced 35mm camera around. It can be converted from handheld to Steadicam to studio mode within seconds.
The XL2 has the sharpest video viewfinder that Panavision has yet to offer, and the video is also improved in brightness levels which aids the camera assistant.
Like The Hateful Eight, the film retains an epic cinemascope presentation paired with anamorphic lenses. Shooting in scope using anamorphics provided greater texture when moving between the various formats used in Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood such as 1.33:1 for early western TV sequences (based on CBS show Lancer) and 1:85 which was used for a series of commercials (that were shot but didn't make the final cut).
Quentin loves the wide screen and didn't want to consider a spherical Super 35 option, the Oscar-winning cinematographer notes. The aesthetic of Panavision's anamorphics is wide ranging and the most impressive in the industry. From Ts to Gs to Cs to Es to Primos each offers a unique look.
Richardson says Tarantino envisioned a vintage feel to match the story's era but with a modern twist and in pre-production embarked on a series of tests to find the precise lens selection. We wanted a 1970's retro, something familiar from the past but sitting in the present so when audiences watch the film it should feel slightly off balance.
With camera assistant Gregor Tavenner, Richardson tested a range of Panavision glass both on site at Panavision and on location of the western set that was eventually used for black-and-white sequences of DiCaprio's actor character playing a bounty hunter.
Each of these lens series has a specific feel and different personality so Gregor and I had to base our decision on what Quentin was requesting for a particular shot. At times we would utilize a lens with heavier flare capabilities or flaring that we thought more interesting in design, and other times we chose a lens that could handle high contrast without getting washed out. There is no magic formula it's test, trial and error.
That said, Dan Sasaki greatly aided us in getting closer focus for the T Series and losing the capability, to some degree, in distance.
The film stock was Kodak Vision3 5219, 5213 and Eastman Double-X black-and-white film 5222, with one small sequence on Super 8 Ektachrome and part of another short scene on 16mm Ektachrome.
Colorist Yvan Lucas collaborated with Richardson on setting the look and supervised the 4K digital intermediate. FotoKem developed and printed the dailies.
We took our initial tests to Yvan and to FotoKem and searched for a richer, saturated look particularly in the skin tones. With the aid of production design, costume and make-up, we got closer and closer to what Quentin was asking. Certain lenses capture color in a more natural manner while others give a richness. It takes time to understand how each is performing and the skill of a talented grader to make the adjustments.
Richardson adds, I am very pleased with how the film looks but more importantly how it supports the brilliance of what Quentin directed by meeting his initial requests for a rich tapestry of color. I hope audiences agree.
LINK: | https://www.panavision.com/highlights/highlights-detail/richardson-cre... |
See more stories from panavision |
Europe Stories
09/12/2024
Dalet Named an IDC Innovator in Media and Entertainment
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced that it has been named an IDC Innovator in the IDC Innovators: ...
09/11/2024
Dalet Expands Leadership Team to Fuel Next Stage of Growth
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced three new members of its executive team. Tara Bryant joins as Chi...
16/09/2024
2024-09-16
visionOS 2 is available today, bringing new spatial computing experiences to Apple Vision Pro users around the world. Existing photos can now be turned into spa...
16/09/2024
Rise Awards 2024 nominations announced
The awards recognise women and companies who are stand-out performers, innovators and leaders in the industry By TVBEurope Staff Published: September 16, 202...
16/09/2024
TVBEurope Best of Show IBC2024 winners announced
By Jenny Priestley Published: September 15, 2024 Future's Best of Show at IBC2024 awards have been announced, with exhibitors from across the show floo...
16/09/2024
Harmonic Charts the Future of Broadband at SCTE TechExpo24
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 16, 2024 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that the company will demonstrate its intelligent ecosystem for fiber and DOCSIS net...
16/09/2024
Arvato Systems and advanco Launch Comprehensive Partnership
Arvato Systems and advanco Launch Comprehensive Partnership Arvato Systems and advanco Combine Serialization Solutions Arvato CSDB and ARC G tersloh - Arvato...
16/09/2024
International ID Day: Thales stands up for a legal and trusted identity for everyone.
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn On the International Identity Day ID Day', ...
14/09/2024
Showcases, Subway Cars, and a Speakeasy: Inside the Spotify x Samsung Galaxy Fresh Finds Event in NYC
At Spotify, our live experiences are curated cultural moments that get people ta...
14/09/2024
Eutelsat selected by SABA WORLD to deliver educational content across the MENA region
Photo credit: GETTY IMAGES Press release - 14 September 2024 12:59 Eutelsat ...
13/09/2024
Spotify Pilots New Music Experience for Young Listeners on Family Plans
Spotify is committed to bringing the best listening experience to all our users, and that includes parents and families. That's why we've introduced a p...
13/09/2024
Spotify's New Countdown To' Vodcast Series Kicks Off With Artists Jelly Roll and mgk in Debut Episode
As fans patiently await their favorite artists' new album releases, the anti...
13/09/2024
The Making of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
What I've always loved about his films is that incredible warmth and that incredible imagination, cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, BSC, GSC says of dire...
13/09/2024
Revolution in Storage: EditShare Reveals Game-Changing New Line Up at IBC 2024
Revolution in Storage: EditShare Reveals Game-Changing New Line Up at IBC 2024 More power, more speed, more flexibility, more capacity, more security, more co...
13/09/2024
M2A Media welcomes Ciarn Doran and Graham Pitman as new CEO and chairman
Both appointees join the company following extensive careers in the industry By Matthew Corrigan Published: September 13, 2024 Updated: September 16, 2024 ...
13/09/2024
VEON General Counsel Omiyinka Doris Named Among Top 15 Legal Leader by the Financial Times
13 Sep 2024 VEON General Counsel Omiyinka Doris Named Among Top 15 Legal Leader...
13/09/2024
Sky Studios Elstree opens Sky Up Academy to inspire 10,000 students a year to pursue a career in Film and TV
Sky Studios Elstree opens Sky Up Academy to inspire 10,000 students a year to pu...
13/09/2024
Countering the autonomous aerial threat
Countering the autonomous aerial threat In an interview, Martin Woywod, Product Manager Counter-UAS (CUAS) Systems, Rohde & Schwarz , talks about the need for...
13/09/2024
WDR Relies on Riedel Backbone for Remote Production of UEFA Euro 2024
Amsterdam September 13, 2024 WDR Relies on Riedel Backbone for Remote Production of UEFA Euro 2024The German regional public broadcaster Westdeutscher Rundfu...
13/09/2024
Riedel Expands Its Range of NSA Network Stream Adapters
Amsterdam September 13, 2024 Riedel Expands Its Range of NSA Network Stream AdaptersRiedel Communications today announced the launch of two new additions to i...
13/09/2024
Riedel Communications Launches Virtual SmartPanel at IBC2024
Amsterdam September 13, 2024 Riedel Communications Launches Virtual SmartPanel at IBC2024At IBC2024, Riedel Communications announced the launch of its ground...
13/09/2024
Riedel Unveils Revolutionary SAME Smart Audio & Mixing Engine at IBC2024
Amsterdam September 13, 2024 Riedel Unveils Revolutionary SAME Smart Audio & Mixing Engine at IBC2024Riedel SAME Delivers Ultra-Low-Latency Audio Processing ...
13/09/2024
Harmonic's VOS360 Ad SaaS Validated by FreeWheel, Transforming Video Streaming Monetization
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 13, 2024 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is pleased to announ...
13/09/2024
Eutelsat selected by TVPlus for extensive broadcast services across Australia and New Zealand
Photo credit: GETTY IMAGES Press release - 13 September 2024 09:50 Eutelsat ...
13/09/2024
FRANSAT unveils the TV Stick, a USB format CAM CI Plus 2.0 module for HD and UHD satellite reception directly in the TV
Photo credit: AdobeStock_305149408- nuchao Press release - 13 September 2024...
13/09/2024
2024-07-24
Today, Apple Maps on the web is available in public beta, allowing users around the world to access Maps directly from their browser.1...
13/09/2024
2024-08-07
Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced the September game schedule for Friday Night Baseball, a weekly doubleheader available to Apple TV+ subs...
13/09/2024
2024-08-14
Starting with iOS 18.1, developers will be able to offer NFC contactless transactions using the Secure Element from within their own apps on iPhone, separate fr...
13/09/2024
2024-09-12
Starting tomorrow, September 13, at 5 a.m. PDT, customers can pre-order Apple's powerful new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models on apple.com/uk and in the r...
13/09/2024
Alaska awards Thales Driver's License, ID Card contract with next generation security
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Alaska residents will be the first in the U.S. t...
13/09/2024
Dolby Unveils New, Live Streaming Offering for the Sport and Entertainment Industries at IBC 2024
13 September 2024, 01:30 (PDT) Dolby Unveils New, Live Streaming Offering for t...
12/09/2024
Four Must-Use Spotify Features That Bring You Closer to Your Favorite Artists
We know that when fans fall in love with an artist, they can't get enough. So when you want to connect with your favorites on a deeper level, Spotify is you...
12/09/2024
Start of training: SGL Carbon welcomes 34 new trainees in Germany.
SGL Carbon is committed to training its own junior staff. At the Meitingen, Bonn and Willich sites, a total of 34 apprentices have started their careers in rece...
12/09/2024
IBC2024: Meet the speaker Omar Mehtab
Omar Mehtab, host of the IBC Talent stage, takes a look at what visitors can expect from the programme By TVBEurope Staff Published: September 12, 2024 Upd...
12/09/2024
ARRI unveils SkyPanel S60 Pro
The successor to SkyPanel S60-C, the solution provides technical enhancements for improved workflows By Matthew Corrigan Published: September 12, 2024 The...
12/09/2024
Grass Valley and ES Broadcast drive innovation with strategic partnership agreement
The partnership leverages the combined expertise of the two companies, driving i...
12/09/2024
Opinion: Paralympic broadcast innovations pave the way for further, fairer growth
Professor Justin Lewis, co-director Media Cymru and director of the Centre for C...
12/09/2024
My IBC: Stephen Stewart, TPN ambassador, UK & EMEA
For Stephen Stewart, IBC helps to clarify how different best of breed' software can be connected together in a straightforward way to achieve the results o...
12/09/2024
Media tech vendors need to up their security game warn broadcasters
The DPPs The State of Media Technology Security 2024 research project surveyed 59 organisations across the industry, including broadcasters, content providers a...
12/09/2024
Edgio files for bankruptcy
The company said it has held discussions with a number of interested parties for a potential sale of all or part of the business and assets, which is expected w...
12/09/2024
** MEDIA ALERT ** VIZ Media Announces Exclusive Bicoastal Events with BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Voice Stars Masakazu Morita and Noriaki Sugiyama
** MEDIA ALERT ** VIZ Media Announces Exclusive Bicoastal Events with BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Voice Stars Masakazu Morita and Noriaki Sugiyama VIZ Me...
12/09/2024
VEON Announces Vesting of Conditional Award to Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu
12 Sep 2024 VEON Announces Vesting of Conditional Award to Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu Amsterdam, 12 September 2024 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam:...
12/09/2024
Celebrating National Video Games Day with Our Top 10 Iconic Collaborations
This September, on National Video Games Day, we proudly spotlight some of our most iconic games projects. As we approach our 110th anniversary, it's the per...
12/09/2024
Hanwha Defence Australia selects Rohde & Schwarz for electromagnetic compatibility assurance of Australian armoured vehicles
Hanwha Defence Australia selects Rohde & Schwarz for electromagnetic compatibili...
12/09/2024
Harmonic Boosts Video Streaming and Broadcast Efficiency with Next-Generation XOS and Spectrum X Solutions
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 12, 2024 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that...
12/09/2024
SDI is dead!
Spreadsheet Defined Infrastructure (SDI) is no longer a workable solution for the growing complexity of broadcast systems. dB Broadcast has published a White Pa...
12/09/2024
dB FLEX for Starlink Terminals
The award-winning dB FLEX offers unmatched flexibility, powering Starlink terminals from a variety of sources including batteries, mains, external 12V DC, or ev...
12/09/2024
Inspiring the Next Generation
dB Broadcast has had a vibrant summer, actively engaging with and inspiring the next generation of talent. We're proud to have supported the Rise Academy s...
12/09/2024
IBC Accelerator: Finding the Needle in the Haystack
dB Broadcast has played a key role in developing and guiding the IBC Accelerator project focused on labelling and identifying devices within an IP infrastructur...