Learn how to create an authentic period look from the cinematographers behind Fargo and Stranger Things.
Dana Gonzales, ASC recently spoke about the light sources he used filming Season Two of Fargo. For a series set in the ’60s, he researched and found that the sodium vapor street lamps were not period accurate. He and his lighting team then fit all the street lamps — and other practical sources — with warm tungsten bulbs to match the color of light that would have been appropriate for the period.
In search of period-perfect nighttime ambience, Gonzales and his team replaced every sodium-lamp streetlight in the Canadian town standing in for Luverne, Minn., where hapless butcher Ed and his beautician wife, Peggy, have their shops.
Lenses
Vintage lenses are hot right now. Everything from Kowa Anamorphics and Canon K-35s are helping to provide this vintage look in the digital age. Each lens has unique characteristics. Even modern lenses can offer some vintage characteristics. For this reason, it’s always wise to test a variety of lenses if you’re going after a certain look. This is exactly what Stranger Things cinematographer Tim Ives did when creating the look of the show.
Filtration
Filtration can play a huge role in achieving a vintage or period look. One of my personal favorites is Black ProMist diffusion for achieving a vintage vibe. It introduces a beautiful halation to the images and gives the shadows a pleasant creaminess while still maintaining contrast. It’s also a great way to soften up sharp digital images but maintain the sharpness in the eyes to create a perfect balance. Take a look at the video below to catch a glimpse at what the different strengths of Black ProMist can offer.
Art Department
Filmmaking is a team sport. One of the most important things to consider when achieving a period look is to work closely with the art department to achieve the desired outcome. No matter what camera and lens combination you use as a cinematographer, if the art isn’t period accurate, it will never sell the setting to an audience. Here’s what Tim Ives had to say about working with the art department of the show:
There are a lot of components that go into selling a period film. However, these four avenues will offer a great start on the path to achieving your desired look.
What techniques do you use to achieve a period look? Let us know in the comments.