How did the Stars Wars cinematic style influence your gear choices?
As a cinematographer, I respond to what I would call very simple visual cues. For example, one of the things that makes Star Wars—and it’s not exclusive to Star Wars—is widescreen. The framing of 2.40:1 is very much a Star Wars thing. Early on, we discussed maybe making “The Mandalorian” 16:9, since it was for TV. But we looked at it in 16:9, and it just didn’t feel like Star Wars to us. That’s not to say Star Wars couldn’t ever be 16:9, but for us, the use of a widescreen aspect ratio was one of the things that really made it Star Wars.
Another thing was the anamorphic format. We had the very good fortune to be able to use the ALEXA 65 on “Rogue One” and then the ALEXA LF on “The Mandalorian,” both times with anamorphic lenses. We used different squeeze ratios for the two shows, and they both had anamorphic qualities to them. Again, you don’t have to shoot on anamorphic lenses for a Star Wars show—that’s been proven fantastically by Bradford [Young ASC] on “Solo.” But on “The Mandalorian,” it was just one of those things that added little spices of Star Wars, little drops of Star Wars.
What is it about that combination of the ALEXA LF paired with an anamorphic lens that cinematographers love?
I think it’s the focus fall-off. As we all know, if you go to a larger sensor, then the same focal length will give you a wider field of view. If you shoot with a 50 mm anamorphic on an ALEXA LF, then it acts as a wide lens without the distortion or the bowing that a wide lens normally has. You get the effect of a wider field of view, which I think brings the audience in. For me, if you get a wider field of view, then you have to move in closer. So, suddenly your 50 mm is closer than where it would have been on Super 35, which means your proximity of the camera to the actor is closer, but you’re not wider. You don’t get that distortion or that feeling of putting a wide lens in someone’s face, so it’s a beautiful look. I think it brings you into your subject more and brings you closer to your story.
