Director of Photography

Exclusive Interview with Oscar-Winning Cinematographer Guillermo Navarro about ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

With “Pan’s Labyrinth” having reached its 20th anniversary, many of its participants have come together to discuss what went into its making, and of how this particular Guillermo Del Toro masterpiece still holds up to this very day. Among those participants is the film’s director of photography, Guillermo Navarro, who ended up winning the Oscar for Best Cinematography for his wok here. He also served as director of photography on Quentin Tarantino’s “Jackie Brown,” Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado,” “From Dusk till Dawn” and “Spy Kids,” and also Renny Harlin’s “The Long Kiss Goodnight.”

I was lucky enough to speak with Guillermo Navarro while he was doing press for “Pan’s Labyrinth,” and it was an illuminating conversation about what went on behind the scenes and of how much has changed since this film was released. He shot it on 35mm film and discussed how he manipulated the image by shooting day for night and underexposing the negatives. It was a great look at how filmmakers can manipulate the image on 35mm film and other film stocks, but Navarro also laments how the movie business rarely uses film anymore and prefers to have everything shot on digital. For him, it has taken a lot of the fun out of his job.

Navarro also talks about how difficult it was to make this film as they had very little money to work with, and that they worked with a largely unfamiliar Spanish crew as their usual crew of creatives were working on another project.

“Pan’s Labyrinth” has just been released in a beautiful new 4K restoration, and it is best experienced on the silver screen. I want to thank Guillermo Navarro for taking the time to talk with me. Please check out the interview below.

In addition, I have also included this video of Guillermo Navarro winning the Best Cinematography Oscar at the 79th Academy Awards.

‘Skyfall’ Cast and Crew on Cinematographer Roger Deakins

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

WRITER’S NOTE: This article was originally written back in 2012.

“Skyfall” has earned the respect of both critics and audiences around the world as they rightfully hail it as one of the best James Bond movies ever made. But while Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes have received tremendous praise for their terrific work, there is another man working behind the scenes who is equally deserving: Roger Deakins. Thanks to him, “Skyfall” features such unforgettably beautiful images like the assassination scene in Shanghai and the cold and barren landscape of Scotland. None of this is lost on the cast and crew as they spoke highly of Deakins’ work at the film’s press conference in Beverly Hills.

Deakins is best known for his work on many of the Coen Brothers’ movies such as “True Grit” and “No Country for Old Men.” He had previously worked with Mendes on “Revolutionary Road” and “Jarhead,” and the director attributes the look of “Skyfall” solely to Deakins.

Sam Mendes: He contributes what a great cinematographer contributes which is an unbelievable eye, an extraordinary skill in lighting, and for doing an immense amount of work in prep. (He showed) huge care and dedication from day minus 100 to the last day of timing which was only a few weeks ago. He’s a very shy man and he expresses himself through his work, and you just put a camera in front of Roger’s eye and point him in the direction of something interesting and he’s a very happy man. He’s one of the greats and it’s a privilege to have him on the movie.

Daniel Craig: There is an incredibly consistency in his work. He has a surety and you feel like it’s a Sam Mendes movie but it’s also a Roger Deakins movie as well. He has put his stamp on it, it’s not intrusive and it’s very magical.

Bérénice Marlohe, who plays the mysterious Bond girl Sévérine in “Skyfall,” spoke lovingly of Deakins and his work on this film.

Bérénice Marlohe: I have this concept that I’ve always believed in that hugely talented people are hugely humble. When I was on that set, I saw that with Sam, Daniel and him. He’s such a pure, beautiful man and just very focused on his work, and then when I got to see the movie, I would never expect that. The first thing that struck me was that mix of reality, a real story with real human beings, and with each picture it felt like you were having a journey in a dream. It was all so surprising and beautiful.

Naomie Harris, who portrays Eve, also described Deakins as being shy, humble and also added that he was quite “self-effacing.” This made him much different compared to the cinematographers she has worked with in the past.

Naomie Harris: It was a very different experience for me than working with most DPs because they can be very strong characters who really make their presence known on sets, and he’s the complete opposite. He’s really quiet and doesn’t interfere with your process at all, and he’s very respectful of actors’ spaces. For me it was an amazing pleasure to work with him.

To hear all this said about Roger Deakins makes him seem highly unique among the cinematographers of the world. I couldn’t agree more with everyone’s individual assessments of his work as the look of “Skyfall” is indeed gorgeous especially for an action movie. The greatest directors of photography have a look which is all their own and the kind you can notice right away, and Deakins has earned his place among them. Hopefully the Academy Awards will recognize his work here with an Oscar nomination when the time comes around.