The Cinematography of MOONLIGHT with James Laxton | Making A Scene
Фильм және анимация
Cinematographer James Laxton reveals the secrets to his cinematography in this behind the scenes look at Moonlight.
The second feature from writer-director Barry Jenkins (Medicine for Melancholy) follows its young protagonist from childhood to adulthood as he navigates the dangers of drugs and violence in his depressed Florida neighbourhood, in addition to his complex love for his best friend.
Writer-director Barry Jenkins made waves with his 2008 feature debut Medicine for Melancholy. Not only did it give the hipster-romance-indie genre a much-needed shot of artistic vigour, but - unlike most of those films - it took place in an America where race and class are defining aspects of life. Now, Jenkins' sophomore feature Moonlight makes good on Melancholy's promise. This is an impeccably crafted study of African-American masculinity from a vital creative voice in contemporary cinema.
Though his story is set in Miami, Jenkins shuns the familiar neon-lit aesthetic that the likes of Michael Mann have associated with the Florida hot spot. Instead, he shows a different kind of life, miles away from South Beach, in an area hit by a crack epidemic. It's here that we meet young Chiron.
Bullied at school and beaten down by a harsh home life, Chiron risks becoming a statistic: another black man dominated and ultimately destroyed by the system. Despite his small stature and taciturn nature, Chiron is a survivor, and, as he grows, it becomes clear that his real battle isn't even on the streets. It's an internal one: reckoning with his complex love for his best friend.
Moonlight takes Chiron from childhood to his teens to adulthood, but it absolutely defies coming-of-age conventions. Instead of offering a clear progression of time, Jenkins plunges us into an atmospheric subjectivity, an impressionistic vision of Chiron's psyche in which sensuality, pain, and unhealed wounds take centre stage with staggering power.
Anchored in an unforgettable performance by emerging talent Trevante Rhodes (as the older Chiron), Moonlight explores the human need to feel connected. But although its themes could be called "universal," they are firmly grounded in a specific understanding of African-American experience. This film was waiting to be made, and Jenkins was the one to make it.
Footage courtesy of Elevation Pictures.
For more about the Toronto International Film Festival and our year-round programming at TIFF Lightbox, visit tiff.net.
Subscribe to watch more TIFF Originals:
/ tiff
Want more TIFF? Find us here:
/ tiff_net
/ tiff_net
/ tiff_net
/ tiffnet
Пікірлер: 122
This movie is nothing less than cinematic magic.
@lessandra602
5 жыл бұрын
avidreader 231 🙌🏼
@e.9425
3 жыл бұрын
the most beautiful movie of the last decade
I was hoping this would win the Oscar for cinematography.
@DZZCHANNEL
7 жыл бұрын
way better than la la land right ?
@Alexandruwwwww
7 жыл бұрын
The cinematography in Moonlight is much more suddle than it is on La La Land, that's probably the reason it isn't as recognised.
@BreadCatMarcus
7 жыл бұрын
I wouldn't say that. They both are spectacular in their own right. The way La La Land utilized natural light (among it's fantastic interior setups) is incredible.
@ernestolindley1659
4 жыл бұрын
The threee best competitors for best cinematography was: Arrival La la land Moonlight Nuff said
Can we also talk about how damn good this focus puller is???
@lokuspokus666
6 жыл бұрын
damn yes he must have had a very hard time. wide open anamorphic lenses through the whole movie
@216kingDavid1
5 жыл бұрын
Kylian Weijers ikr
@Xenonic2
4 жыл бұрын
Kylian Weijers honestly films like this is why I’ve been getting distant with my writing. I want to show the emotion through a lens rather through writing. Idk maybe I’m just really into cameras rn.
@BloomfieldProductions
4 жыл бұрын
Xenonic2 you’re not alone I myself own a Isco Ultrastar 2x anamorphic lens I have to pull manual focus on my bike videos but when you work with it it’ll come to you 💯 I’m working on short films for college so I’m excited to dip into the film world
@Xenonic2
4 жыл бұрын
Bloomfield Productions that sounds awesome man! I wish you the best and hope you come out with some awesome films
Guys, not just the fantastic cinematography, but also the color grading magic too: they literally infused the shadows with blue saturation to go with the motif of black/blue/moonlight. Amazing.
This movie and get out should be taught at movie schools. Amazing.
@eman6343
3 жыл бұрын
Funny u said that...those are the last two films we are watching in my film class. We’re currently on Moonlight.
I'm glad he got the Spirit Award for his work on this film.
I'm trying to find an interview of him talking about the water scene. I found this part of the film to be one of my favorite scenes. Maybe because of my connection to the ocean through surfing but also because of how it was shot. I know most directors and cinematographers love film and I totally agree but this might be the first movie that I've fallen for digital. The contrast and color add so much to the story.
@f0t0b0y
5 жыл бұрын
Found it. filmmakermagazine.com/100603-a-one-camera-show-dp-james-laxton-on-moonlight/#.XButl6eZPRY
I absolutely loved this entire scene in the restaurant!!!!
Should have won the Oscar for cinematography!
I am honestly glad to be alive in a time where movies are getting so good....kinda hope a trend of excellent films starts being a thing.
That dinner scene is magical
I love Andre, he's soooo sensual and charismatic
@dolly-gq9lr
6 жыл бұрын
J IV He is very sensual
@charleneraymond4036
5 жыл бұрын
I didn't truly appreciate him the first time I watched. Now the 2 older actors (Andre & Trevante) are by far my favourites in the film. That whole third act was utter perfection!
@Redd91ful
4 жыл бұрын
J IV I never saw this show, but he looks good lol
I wish more artists explained the how and shared their knowledge. Thank you for posting.
What a beautiful job he has and how talented he is.
Must watch for aspiring DPs!
i'll never get over moonlight not winning best cinematography
whoa this is cool
@SpectrumTheOriginator
7 жыл бұрын
Hey it's Mat
@pffilms2522
7 жыл бұрын
Cinematography Database ayee
@avatar1730
3 жыл бұрын
U cool
As someone who loves la la land and thinks the cinematography was great, this absolutely should have won!! Should have won for best editing too.
The cinematography reminds me a lot of the movie 'Blood Diamond'. Especially the way that the background seems to twist in some parts, as well as a lot of the color grading.
@chioma99
4 жыл бұрын
did a moonlight edit it would be nice for you to check it out :)
Staring into the lens is quality!!!
Truly enjoyed this peek into the cinematography of this extraordinary movie. Hope there will be more of such videos.
Beautiful!!!
This has Wong Kar-wai and Edward Yang all over it.
Soooo Doooppppeeeeeeee!!!! Was waiting for someone to cover some BTS for Moonlight! Thank You TIFF!!!!!
Brilliant work and perfect synergy between the camera, director, actors and text
Trevante and Andre were excellent and really handsome
I loved this film
This Film is Sooo GOOD. ThnkU.
i need to hire this guy
Any other year, Moonlight could easily win an Oscar for cinematography. However, La La Land’s colour schemes and visuals were just beautiful. That being said, both films are incredibly beautiful to look at.
Beautiful described...thank you.
One thing maybe for next time, please ask what focal length and lens was used...just a thought...i love this stuff!
Love this. So excited to see If Beale Street Could Talk.
That was beautiful
This is great. If anyone's interested, I have a video on my channel looking at how colour is used within the film.
@ah-ray
7 жыл бұрын
criticole you do amazing work! This is the channel I was looking for! Thanks so much for making videos, you've got a 50th subscriber :)
@bolder2009
7 жыл бұрын
criticole
This is awesome. Just pure awesome.
Wow, I got great idea to take some great selfies next time when I go back to Rome, NYC or Paris. Thanks for sharing the shooting tips.
Great.thnc tiff!
This is very competent, it’s good to see stylistic cinematography.
More ! More!
@unconqueredmale339
7 жыл бұрын
Brittany Guerin
Keep up the good work!
Is there more? Where can I watch the rest pls?
Nice eye! How long have you been shooting?
I have to give this white boy credit. He did a fine job lighting black images. He had to have a black ac. No shade. lol
@brentthomasaustin
4 жыл бұрын
Lmao
What was the most common focal lengths used on Moonlight, James? A lot of these look like medium to long lenses. Hardly any wide angle perspectives .
@griffinvoth6319
5 жыл бұрын
They shot on Hawk V-lite anamorphics so they probably strayed from wide angles because it would introduce a lot of barrel distortion to the image which might not have gone with he mood. There are definitely some shots where you can see it. I also think this is such a personal and intimate story that that reason may have decided much of the tighter focal length picks.
Barry jenkins is very very ifluenced by wong kar wai.He said that before ,when he told that Chunkgking Express influenced him,but,you dont know that,is very perceptive in his way of filmmaking
You couldn't fix the shutter speed to avoid the constant background flickering from the fluorescent light?
@steveleeart
5 жыл бұрын
Media Buster ...I think it helps highlights the nervousness of the characters, their insecurities at letting their guard down after all the years that have passed. They’re reaching out to each other not knowing if it’s real or if it will result in rejection and heartbreak.
@MediaBuster
5 жыл бұрын
@@steveleeart I think you are reading too much into it. It's 99% likely just that they used the wrong shutter speed or didn't change the light bulbs.
@NightKreators
4 жыл бұрын
@@MediaBuster I think intentional because it also happens often in this movie, it might be distracting for some and interesting for the other
@MediaBuster
4 жыл бұрын
@@NightKreators not on purpose...
@NightKreators
4 жыл бұрын
@@MediaBuster It might not be or they are just constantly shooting onto one shutter and didn't bother about flickering light.
what name if movie
Please can someone explain me what did he say about his cinematography? I just don't hear well...
@SandraPaukstaityte
7 жыл бұрын
Pablo Alex try to enable english subtitles on settings on the right, they are automatically on almost every video on youtube. Cinematographer talks about natural bar lighting, which adds softness and amber tones to the faces. Also about being close with camera as much as possible, so the viewer feels more connected to them and the story. He talks about lenses and tech choices that creates emotional tone.
I think I rewind 2:03 a billion times. 😂😂🤣
@avatar1730
3 жыл бұрын
🤣🤣 i see
You can see the camera shadow on the white car in the opening shot here. Great cinematography tho.... (this is a joke. Yes it was amazing, but why!!!!)
I'm not a fan of the subject matter of this film. But I love the cinematography used in it! Bravo!
I just noticed something for the first time after seeing this film a number of times. If you look at 2:13, in the background the sticker between them, or whatever it is, kind of looks like a gay rainbow flag. Another subtlety in this masterpiece of a movie
very interesting video, shame I think generally the 3rd act lost a lot of pace compared to the others
@dolly-gq9lr
6 жыл бұрын
The third part was the story. It sums up all what went before.
How could this master participate in f7cking tusk?
mooore
I wonder why a boring movie like la la land won sont oscars over Moonlight.
@w.iraheta3769
6 жыл бұрын
El King's What are you talking about? Moonlight won.
@bluemarvel4601
6 жыл бұрын
What?
Child please !!! That scene when there eyes meet, I wish I was a dude
This was a painfully slow movie.
I hate the story but the cinematography was great
la la land cinematography is dog shit. this should've won.
@alvarberglund6873
7 жыл бұрын
U high?
@liamalexander3258
7 жыл бұрын
It's not dog shit cinematography, it's good, just not better than Moonlight's
@lewiscranston881
7 жыл бұрын
UnbelievabIeMontages It's not dog shit, dog shit cinematography is the corny style without substance Danish Girl stuff.
@UnbelievabIeMontages
7 жыл бұрын
says the guy who likes everything about star wars
@UnbelievabIeMontages
7 жыл бұрын
stfu, you complain about thor ragnarok, but never anything about star wars.