For this elegant spot for Szentkiralyi, I collaborated with director Peter Herz, a creative partner I've known for over 25 years. Our long history, stretching back to my gaffer days and across several international projects, creates a foundation of trust and understanding on set. This project presented a unique challenge, as the production had a specific workflow that required us to shoot on the Sony Venice. While my preference has often been for ARRI and RED, I was confident we could adapt.
The creative goal was to create a series of clean, pristine, and natural-feeling images.
My focus was on crafting a natural, beautiful quality of light and a gentle, observational camera language that aligned with Peter's vision.
With no time for hands-on camera tests before the shoot, I relied on focused research and my foundational knowledge. I studied films shot on the Venice, read the technical manual, and researched the new gammas to understand the sensor's sweet spot for exposure. My priority was to master the camera's capabilities so that I could work just as efficiently on set.
The final result is a testament to this adaptability. We created a beautiful, clean spot that the client was thrilled with, proving that a deep understanding of cinematography fundamentals allows a DP to master any tool, even under pressure. It's a project I'm proud of, as it showcases my ability to step into any technical workflow and deliver a high-quality, cinematic image for a trusted director.
Here is the BTS from the shoot
