Rachel Morrisonhas not-so-quietly emerged as one of the most exciting cinematographers working today.
Check out the full interview below.
How did you first get involved inMudbound?
Yeah then Trump gets elected and its like Oh shit.
Was point of view something you really focused on as a cinematographer?
MORRISON: Yes I think that was the biggest challenge of the film for me.
Image via Steve Dietl / Netflix
Was that depth something that you wanted to hone in on?
MORRISON: Well thank you.
Yes, for me tactile is probably the perfect word.
Image via Netflix
You have mud that is sort of a character unto itself.
Do you have a general preference between shooting on film?
I dont know if you shotFruitvaleorCakeon film or digital…
MORRISON:Fruitvalewas film,Cakewas digital.
Image via Steve Dietl / Netflix
I think it really just comes down to the story, but I love film.
MORRISON: I think every year though people sort of have that same [conversation].
There was one year where I think eight out of nine of the Oscar-nominated films were shot on film.
Image via Netflix
Im curious, what were your early conversations with Dee like aboutMudbound?
Did you hit on a specific visual theme or approach?
And also to Whitfield Lovell, whos a contemporary artist who does a lot of portraits on wood.
Image via Netflix
I think if you look at the Jackson story theres a real wood theme and color palette to it.
Theres also a real dynamism to the imagery.
Was it daunting to tackle this variety of parameters or was that more of an exciting prospect for you?
Image via Netflix
MORRISON: I would say the prospect was exciting, the reality of our time constraints made it daunting.
That prospect with 10 more days in the schedule would have been nothing but excitement.
That prospect with what we had, which was like 28 days total, was both exciting and daunting.
Image via Netflix
Wow, I mean you pulled it off.
I cant believe it only took 28 days.
MORRISON: Thank you (laughs).
Image via Marvel Studios
MORRISON: Im conflicted.
So that parts really exciting.
Its probably better than the other way around.
Image via Netflix
So better to intend for the big screen and be seen on small other than the other way around.
But, ultimately I guess its exciting.
I hope it does reach a much wider audience as a result of being on Netflix.
Yeah the access is huge.
Everyone is going nuts for this thing and it looks absolutely incredible.
And with you shooting and Ryan Coogler directing and that cast, its insane.
MORRISON: Its been exciting.
It just felt like we were making a gigantic indie movie.
And in a crazy way theres still never enough money and never enough time.
I probably had 12 grips on the roster and I need 14.
The bigger the movie gets, the problems just kind of escalate in the same way (laughs).
The numbers get bigger but the proportions are the same.
MORRISON: (Laughs) Exactly.
But the energy around the trailer has been really exciting.
Now I just hope we can live up to the hype.
There was no hype around it, so it was like this surprise discovery.
Was that ever a point of discussion with you and Ryan and Marvel, about makingBlack Pantherreally distinct?
MORRISON: If theres anything consistent about my work its not flat.
Well I cant wait to see it.
Would you ever pull a Soderbergh and shoot your own movie?
I wouldnt rule anything out.
For me I just like new challenges.
Directing came up kind of out of the blue to the same extent thatBlack Panthercame out of the blue.
I definitely think Ill direct again.
I love shooting so thats something I never wanna give up entirely.
