November 26, 2025

Shot Talk – One Battle After Another with DP Michael Bauman & Producer Sara Murphy

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Summary

In this episode of Shot Talk, Oren Soffer sits down with longtime Paul Thomas Anderson collaborators Michael Bauman and Sara Murphy to dive into their work on the critically acclaimed epic One Battle After Another.

From resurrecting the long-dormant VistaVision format, to navigating an ambitious three-year location-scouting journey, to working on set without last looks or monitors, the conversation uncovers the meticulous, often unconventional behind-the-scenes process that shaped the film’s sweeping vision.

This talk was filmed at an event hosted by Portrait Creative Network, ShotDeck, Theorem Media, and GreenSlate with support from Sony.

Key moments

  • 00:00:50 How Paul Approached Sarah and Mike About the Project
  • 00:02:34 How Each Collaborator's Relationship with Paul Evolved Over Time
  • 00:05:36 Stepping Up to a Bigger Budget: Challenges & Excitement
  • 00:06:31 Lessons from Gaffing & Pulling from Past Experience
  • 00:08:30 Designing the Visual Style: 70s References & the Independent Spirit
  • 00:10:09 The Day-to-Day on Set: Design vs. Discovery
  • 00:12:12 Finding the Film Through Locations & Actors
  • 00:14:08 The VistaVision Format: Origins & Challenges
  • 00:17:41 Audience Q&A: No Monitors, No Video Village & Film Dailies
  • 00:20:43 Audience Q&A: Adapting an Inflexible Camera System to an Improvisational Style
  • 00:22:39 Audience Q&A: Happy Accidents & Embracing the Unexpected
  • 00:24:51 Closing Remarks
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