Cinematographer Stefan Ciupek gave us the lowdown on the visual language, lenses, and filming locations behind Guns Akimbo.
While it’s certainly true of any project, going into production on a limited budget action film requires meticulous pre-production discussions on finding the right mood and tone for the film. We talked with Stefan Ciupek about the process behind Guns Akimbo.
Developing a Strong Visual Language
Once the director, cinematographer, and production designer had a game plan regarding the film’s mood and tone, the next major decision was how best to capture that energy. Wanting a lean, malleable shooting style, Ciupek opted for a variety of cameras and lenses.
Cameras and Lenses
With the character embedded in tension for much of the film, Ciupek relied heavily on the freedom he could obtain from a Steadicam, utilizing a MK-V Omega Rig.
Finding the Right Locations
It’s all good to do the extensive pre-pro on the look and feel, but in reality, money and time may dictate compromises regarding where you can shoot. Although the fictional Shrapnel City in the film is set in America, for funding reasons, the filmmakers had to shoot in New Zealand and Bavaria, which created challenges.
Another smart move on the filmmakers’ part was incorporating a location that could serve multiple purposes. It not only proved economical, but it also became a source of inspiration for how Ciupek and Howden developed their shot list.
The pre-lighting was certainly key as much of the film is set at night or in dark locations. Wanting to utilize light as almost another character in the film, the filmmakers discussed a variety of different lighting styles and incorporated them into the design.
Stylized Lighting
Staying with the theme of being prepared and organized, one place that was apparent and key were in the numerous action sequences, which were fastidiously designed and executed.
Meticulously Planned and Choreographed Action Sequences
According to Ciupek, one action sequence in particular was a special challenge:
The takeaway here for any filmmaker attempting a low- or limited-budget action film is vision and preparation. Take the time to identify the mood and tone and the way you’re going to capture it on film. Then find those perfect locations that will allow you the time to rehearse, prep, and execute.