The photography blog of Props All Around
The first thing you realize when you are new to the movie business is that there is a tremendous amount of effort going into every single thing that will be filmed. Props, costume, art direction, set decorating, lighting, the list is almost endless. It's work done by people whose talent runs deep, who's excitement is worn on their sleeve and in the case of Watchmen couldn't be more passionate. The first few weeks in Vancouver I learned tons about the process and shared my impressions with those that cared to listen. To a person they enjoyed my fresh perspective and wondered aloud if I'd still feel the same at the end of the gig. I'm here to tell you, I do.
Making a movie of any scale but certainly a complicated, nuanced one like Watchmen has been a life-changing enterprise. While there are numerous comforts and perks to the gig, the 104 shooting days were some of the longest and consistently demanding days I've ever had as a photographer. I was a deer in headlights for a good number of 'em too. Sure there's a fair bit of down-time for some but with everything being fresh and new to me, I was a busy man documenting the efforts before me. Finally, after months of shooting everything I saw, word came from the studio that I could take it easy on the behind-the-scenes stuff. Phew.
Being a portrait guy, I made a point of trying to shoot some of those folks in my Streetstudio. It was quickly dubbed "The Clay Cube" by the ADs (Assistant Directors) and now my Lightroom catalog uses the keyword "cube" to categorize those portraits. All 8000+ of them.
This first portrait is of Jimmy Chow. He was the head of the props department. Jimmy epitomizes all that was so impressive among the Watchmen crew. He was one of the more fascinating, enthusiastic, generous, articulate and caring folks and his work reflected it. He and his gang spent dizzying amounts of time and effort on every single thing they touched. To hear him tell the story of the blood splotch on the Comedian's pin is a remarkable tale of experience melded with artfulness. One day he gave me a little tour of his props truck and I was forever changed. I couldn't believe the attention to detail that was being brought to his craft. It was just mind-numbing. During that tour he said something that I hope comes true. He said, "I really think we're making the Blade Runner of the 21st century." I nodded with a new sense of clarity and hopefulness.
Make pictures.
Making a movie of any scale but certainly a complicated, nuanced one like Watchmen has been a life-changing enterprise. While there are numerous comforts and perks to the gig, the 104 shooting days were some of the longest and consistently demanding days I've ever had as a photographer. I was a deer in headlights for a good number of 'em too. Sure there's a fair bit of down-time for some but with everything being fresh and new to me, I was a busy man documenting the efforts before me. Finally, after months of shooting everything I saw, word came from the studio that I could take it easy on the behind-the-scenes stuff. Phew.
Being a portrait guy, I made a point of trying to shoot some of those folks in my Streetstudio. It was quickly dubbed "The Clay Cube" by the ADs (Assistant Directors) and now my Lightroom catalog uses the keyword "cube" to categorize those portraits. All 8000+ of them.
This first portrait is of Jimmy Chow. He was the head of the props department. Jimmy epitomizes all that was so impressive among the Watchmen crew. He was one of the more fascinating, enthusiastic, generous, articulate and caring folks and his work reflected it. He and his gang spent dizzying amounts of time and effort on every single thing they touched. To hear him tell the story of the blood splotch on the Comedian's pin is a remarkable tale of experience melded with artfulness. One day he gave me a little tour of his props truck and I was forever changed. I couldn't believe the attention to detail that was being brought to his craft. It was just mind-numbing. During that tour he said something that I hope comes true. He said, "I really think we're making the Blade Runner of the 21st century." I nodded with a new sense of clarity and hopefulness.
Make pictures.
Subscribe by Email
