Cinematographer Oliver Stapleton joins the podcast to discuss his career and his role as Co-Head of Cinematography at NFTS. He talks about helping directors execute their vision, recalls interesting tales from his career, and shares his predictions for the future of filmmaking. He also reminisces about his childhood and his love for cinema, recounts a traumatic experience that impacted his career, and discusses his experiences shooting 'My Beautiful Laundrette' and 'Absolute Beginners'. Additionally, he explores the changing landscape of cinematography due to technology advancements and emphasizes the importance of selecting the right film school and teachers.
A cinematographer's role is to help the director execute their vision, not impose their own on a film.
Collaboration and adaptability are crucial for cinematographers when working with different directors.
The future of cinema may involve a division between blockbuster movies and 'real films' that prioritize physical production and shooting on real locations.
Deep dives
The Influence of Childhood Memories on Becoming a Cinematographer
Oliver Stapleton, a renowned cinematographer, discusses how his love for cinema was sparked by his childhood experiences of watching home movies with his family. The silent films projected on an 8mm reel left a lasting impact on him, leading him to develop a passion for cinematography and still photography. Stapleton credits his mother's steady camera work and the magic of developing photos in a darkroom as pivotal moments that ignited his love for capturing images.
The Journey from Film School to Professional Work
Stapleton's path to becoming a cinematographer began when he applied to and was accepted into the National Film and Television School. He describes the film school as a place of shelter and learning, where he gained confidence in his technical skills. After graduating, Stapleton faced the challenge of breaking into the industry. He shared personal experiences of rejection and eventually taking on various camera jobs to build his portfolio. Stapleton also discussed the importance of collaboration between filmmakers and how his role as a director of photography evolved over time.
Working with Different Directors and Adapting to Their Vision
Stapleton reflects on the varying dynamics he has experienced while working with different directors. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and flexibility as a cinematographer. Some directors, like David Mamet, are focused on writing and acting, leaving Stapleton to make creative decisions regarding the camera work. On the other hand, directors like Michael Hoffman were known for storyboarding the entire film, providing a clear visual plan. Stapleton discusses his approach to working with the directors, ranging from strong collaboration to fluid communication and problem-solving on set.
Experiencing the film industry as a young photographer
The podcast episode discusses the experience of a young photographer entering the film industry. The speaker reflects on the challenges of seeking guidance and navigating pre-production. They share how they managed to convince a retiring expert to mentor them on set, which turned out to be a life-saving opportunity. The importance of having a supportive crew is highlighted, contrasting it with negative experiences with certain individuals. The tragedy of miscasting in a film is also mentioned.
The future of cinema and the role of cinematographers
The podcast episode delves into the future of cinema and the evolving role of cinematographers. The speaker predicts a division between blockbuster Marvel-type movies and what they refer to as 'real films' that involve physical production and shooting in real locations. They discuss the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the industry. The speaker emphasizes the importance of cinematographers bringing their life experiences and understanding of the real world to their work. They express a belief that cinematographers should focus on creating authentic experiences rather than solely relying on emerging technologies like AI and studio-based volume shooting.
SEASON 2 - EPISODE 66 - OLIVER STAPLETON - CINEMATOGRAPHER
On this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, cinematographer Oliver Stapleton (THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, THE GRIFTERS, MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE) joins us in conversation. In addition to his career as a cinematographer, Oliver is also the Co-Head of Cinematography at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the UK. Oliver credits his life in film to his mother and her steady hand as the family camera operator, and he shares how he created his submission film to gain admission into the NFTS after visiting the campus on a lark. We discuss how, as a cinematographer, one’s job is to help the director execute their vision rather than impose your own on a film, and Oliver reveals how he grapples with finding the best way to introduce young directors and cinematographers to each other in film school. Oliver also regales us with the many tales and insights that have stuck with him from his long career. Towards the end, with a look to his past, Oliver remembers once animating Spiderman in his youth, and with a look to our future, he predicts the future of filmmaking and moviegoing.
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This episode is sponsored by Fiilex
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