December 28, 2022
Shot Talk – Elvis with DP Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS
Summary
Lawrence Sher sits down with DP Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS for an in-depth discussion of the hit biopic Elvis. From the logistics of recreating existing concert footage, to evolving color looks throughout production, to choosing the right lenses, listen as Mandy walks us through the behind-the-scenes making of the acclaimed film.
Key moments
- 00:02:30 Early Influences for Mandy
- 00:05:10 Starting Out in Music Videos
- 00:06:36 Low Budget Indies and Working with Available Light
- 00:10:10 The Experience of Shooting on Film
- 00:13:34 Working with Baz Luhrmann on Australia
- 00:16:05 Finding the Visual Language of the Film
- 00:17:13 A Huge Undertaking: Researching Elvis and Recreating Existing Footage
- 00:20:53 Hiding Cameras Inside of Cameras
- 00:22:20 From Spherical to Anamorphic: Using the Lenses to Evolve the Story
- 00:23:11 Shooting for Split Screens
- 00:25:03 Intense Pre Production Process
- 00:27:58 Going to Graceland: Elvis in the 70’s
- 00:30:33 Using the Petzval Lenses for the Transitional Sequences
- 00:33:22 The Evolution of the Color Palette
- 00:36:01 Sphero 65 vs T Series Anamorphic Lenses
- 00:37:34 Getting Coverage with the 30mm Sphero on the Alexa 65
- 00:41:59 Scene Breakdown: The 1968 TV Special
- 00:48:19 Flying with Elvis: The Evolution of Camera Angles and Movement
- 00:52:26 Challenges of Shooting in a Hall of Mirrors
- 00:53:58 Scene Breakdown: The Carnival Nightmare
- 00:56:23 Scene Breakdown: The Recording Studio
- 00:58:00 Biggest Challenge on the Film
- 01:02:23 Incorporating VFX Early and Planning for Success in the Hospital Scene
- 01:03:49 Cutting Between the Shack and Church Concert
- 01:04:50 Scene Breakdown: The Back Alley, Shining a Spotlight on Elvis
- 01:06:52 Scene Breakdown: Elvis Moving to Graceland
- 01:08:12 Lighting and Shooting a Concert on the Alexa 65
- 01:13:11 Final Thoughts
