Interstellar: Director of Photography/Cinematographer

Define: the individual who takes responsibility for all operations concerning camera work and lighting during the production/creation of a film.

DOP for Interstellar: Hoyte van Hoytema (Oct. 4, 1971 in Switzerland)

DOP’s Job Description:  (http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/cinematographer1.htm)

-Finding the images that bring the story to life

-Preproduction:

      *Discusses the vision of the film with the director (whole movie & scene-by-scene)

      *Budget for what’s needed for each scene (buys film & supplies)

      *Hires a camera crew

      *Works with other departments to accomplish production of film

-Production:

      * Decides the best combination of cameras, filters and lenses

      *Placement of cameras

      *Lighting

      *Timing of shot

      ** On larger films, there may be several cinematographers, but there will be a head DOP

-Post Production:

      *Makes sure the film has the correct color and mood

      *Quality Control and looking at the film critically

Interstellar Tesseract Scene Analysis through the Lens of the DOP:

- Lighting:
*Found different sources that indicated there were 15-18 projectors used in various locations on the set to give perfect light situations
*Beginning of scene in space before entering the tesseract, the lighting is put together in various locations to act as the sun while the Cooper character spins downwards
*Used the art of flickering to portray movement by the subjects in the film (i.e. falling through
tunnel
*Some materials in the set were reflecting the light given by the projectors, thus helping with the overall lighting and the intention to portray the tesseract as physical time that moves

*In portrayed bedrooms, a bigger light was used to shine in to make the appearance of the sun shining through the windows

-Camera Placements/Movements:
*Camera (main one) is mounted on the arm of a crane, which has the ability to swivel, move up and down or move left or right
*Camera placed in/on the space helmet of the actor which enables the audience to get a first person perspective

*Camera shot is typically on the left side of the actor

*Allowed for subtle movements in the camera to help make the scene more realistic and personable to the audience

*Concept of camera relativity to actor

http://petapixel.com/2015/06/15/the-tesseract-scene-in-interstellar-was-shot-using-a-physical-set/