183 - The Cinematography of El Conde, with DP Edward Lachman

Legendary cinematographer Edward Lachman, ASC, joins us to discuss his Academy Award®-nominated cinematography for “El Conde,” Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín’s satirical horror-comedy which reimagines Augusto Pinochet as a 250-year old vampire. The film features stunning black & white photography, which required the invention of a new kind of camera sensor in order to capture the unique look and feel of the film. Edward discusses that, his use of vintage glass, and the advantages of having his director as camera operator:

“He's excellent. He's always been around the camera, he studied still photography at one time, and he's very good with wheels. They always say the first audience is the operator — and that's why I like to operate. But there was so much I had to do with the language [barrier]. The key grip, Mumford — who's a wonderful key grip — didn't speak English. So [Pablo] had the direct communication to the grip about moves and the crane. So it made sense that he operate. And then that gave me the freedom to do what I could do with the electrical [department].”

—Edward Lachman, ASC, Director of Photography, “El Conde”

“El Conde” is now streaming on Netflix, in Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos®. Be sure to check it out ahead of the Academy Awards, live from the Dolby Theatre® on March 10th!

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