April 7, 2023
Shot Talk – In The Heights with Dir. Jon M. Chu, DP Alice Brooks, ASC, & Editor Myron Kerstein
Summary
Lawrence Sher, ASC sits down with Director Jon M. Chu, DP Alice Brooks, ASC & Editor Myron Kerstein for an in-depth discussion of their film In the Heights.
One of our favorite musical adaptations of the past decade, ShotDeck is releasing over 300 fully searchable shots in tandem with this interview. From the logistics of filming in active NYC subways to how they transformed a Long Island Beach into the Bahamas, the trio break down important moments behind the scenes of production that helped bring the film to life.
Key moments
- 00:01:30 How The Key Collaborators Met
- 00:04:45 Pre ShotDeck Prep: Huge Reference Binders And Look Books
- 00:07:21 Finding The Right Editor
- 00:11:09 Trusting Your Creative Partners
- 00:12:55 Importance Of A Second Pair Of Eyes To Review The Dailies
- 00:13:56 Recreating The Dominican Republic In Long Island
- 00:17:35 The Planning Behind Shooting Aerials
- 00:18:26 The Trickiness Of Day Exteriors
- 00:22:52 The Challenge Of Filming In Expansive Pool Locations With Extras
- 00:24:32 Dealing With Unexpected Rain And Shooting Around It
- 00:28:30 Editing On Set And Figuring Out A Game Plan
- 00:31:42 From Grandiose To Intimate: Showcasing Hope And Dreams
- 00:33:49 Importance Of Trusting Your Partners
- 00:36:48 Scene Breakdown: The Final Scene
- 00:42:26 When You Just Know That’s The Take
- 00:43:02 The Challenges Of Live Vocals And 360 Lighting
- 00:49:18 Scene Breakdown: The Subway Musical Number
- 01:04:42 Scene Breakdown: The Graffiti Tunnel
- 01:09:18 Rearranging Scenes For Emotional Impact
- 01:15:00 How To Make Dream Sequences Feel Grounded
- 01:17:27 Building Up The Tone And Pushing The Line
- 01:19:58 Scene Breakdown: Dancing On The Wall Musical Number
- 01:28:28 The Importance Of Good Planning
- 01:29:40 Final Thoughts
