As a film enthusiast who appreciates the nuances of storytelling and cinematography, I find myself deeply captivated by the journey of Held and George, the dynamic duo behind the camera. Their unique ability to switch between intimate, handheld narratives like “Caddo” and measured, deliberate projects such as “Servant” showcases their versatility and adaptability as filmmakers.
Celine Held and Logan George, the filmmakers behind “Caddo Lake”, are still in disbelief about M. Night Shyamalan’s confidence in their thought-provoking second production.
In the past, when M. Night Shyamalan was actively seeking cinematographers for season 3 of his Apple TV+ series “Servant”, he was impressed by the short film “Caroline” directed by Held and George. Instead of just hiring Lowell A. Meyer, their DP, Shyamalan wanted to hire the entire team. When Held and George came to Shyamalan’s office to understand the project and watch an early cut of season 3 premiere of “Servant”, they were surprised when Shyamalan asked about their second feature script titled “Vanishings” that was still in development at that time.
George shared with The Hollywood Reporter, “Shyamalan expressed interest in reading it, so we sent it over, thinking it was just a polite gesture. However, to our surprise, he read it that same weekend! Impressed, he invited us to his office the very next day and spoke about the movie as if it were already in the works. And astonishingly, it did come to fruition, making the entire experience quite surreal.
Held adds: “It felt like a prank.”
After facing two high-profile flops in major studios, M. Night Shyamalan decided to rejuvenate his career in 2014 by investing in himself. He utilized his personal home as collateral to produce The Visit (2015), and subsequently transformed a $5 million investment into a global box office revenue of close to $100 million. Since then, he’s been funding all his directorial and production ventures through his company Blinding Edge Pictures. The film Caddo Lake, produced by Held and George, was the first project he financed outside of his own films. Notably, The Watchers (the feature directorial debut of Shyamalan’s daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan) was released before Caddo Lake, but production on the latter began two years earlier.
Apart from financial aspects, Held and George significantly profited from Shyamalan and Blinding Edge’s continuous involvement during both production and post-production phases. This collaboration extended to such an extent that they eventually resided in a guest house on Shyamalan’s Ravenwood estate, enabling them to make final adjustments together on the film.
George shares that M. Night Shyamalan frequently spent long hours observing our editing sessions and offering suggestions. We were unsure of how much time he could dedicate, given his numerous projects, but we were astonished by his level of engagement and his ability to articulately identify and address issues in the edit. As filmmakers, we couldn’t have asked for better support during that creative journey.
Additionally, they experienced some constructive blunt advice while filming their intense session at Caddo Lake, a serene body of water situated along the boundary line between Texas and Louisiana.
One day, as Logan and I cruised down the road, Night gave us a call: “You missed that part,” he said, a revelation that left us speechless. We thought we’d manage it in post-production, but boy, were we wrong! So, we swiftly arranged for a few impromptu reshoots right on the production set to salvage that crucial scene.
Over the past week, the critically acclaimed movie “Caddo Lake” has dominated streaming charts related to HBO and Max. If you’ve had a chance to watch it, you can see why the intriguing drama resonated with M. Night Shyamalan from the beginning. The narrative revolves around Dylan O’Brien as Paris, and Eliza Scanlen as Ellie, both struggling to cope with the loss of their loved ones in separate ways. The movie unfolds in a manner that lives up to expectations for a project by Shyamalan, delivering the twists and turns that his fans have come to anticipate.
In their latest chat with THR, Held and George delve into the numerous distinct hurdles they encountered during filming and post-processing stages of production.
It turns out that M. Night Shyamalan took one of your short films, Caroline (2018), and then he brought you and your cinematographer, Lowell A. Meyer, onto the production team for Servant.
CELINE HELD Exactly.
After setting up a fruitful partnership, was it then that you decided to revisit the quirky script which might resonate well with Night’s tastes?
LOGAN GEORGE Before diving into our work on ‘Servant’, I got a chance to meet Night for the first time in his production office. He showed us an early cut of ‘Servant’ season three’s premiere episode, as we were assigned to work on episodes five and seven of that season. Casually asking if we had any feature-length projects going on, he was genuinely interested when we mentioned a script we were working on. Intrigued, he asked to read it, and within the weekend, he called us back into his office. He spoke about our movie as if it was already in production, an idea that seemed surreal but eventually came true.
HELD It felt like a prank.
GEORGE Yeah, it was really bizarre.
So it was just a coincidence that Caddo Lake was right in Night’s wheelhouse?
George agreed, as we are advocates for unexpected twists and shocking disclosures. This approach likely stems from our initial project, Topside. Our goal was to develop a piece that served as a carrier for a specific genre.
In May of 2020, we penned the movie script. We stumbled upon a photo of Caddo Lake on Reddit, which prompted us to travel to the Texas-Louisiana border to compose the film while residing by the lake. Fatefully, in January, 2021, we were based in Philly and focusing on the production of Servant.
Could you clarify for me how the discussion progressed, leading up to the point where Night expressed his intention to fund and produce it?
In summary, That’s how it is for him – he funds his own projects without needing studio approval, and he’s hands-on with the script development. When we visited his office, he was eager to continue refining the script. His producer, Ashwin [Rajan], also reviewed it, expressing that while he appreciated it, there were parts he didn’t fully comprehend due to our subtle approach in the fourth draft he read. Therefore, he collaborated extensively with us up until post-production to ensure each scene resonates directly with the audience, preventing disengagement. If a viewer ever thinks, “I don’t get it,” they step back, lose interest, and become less engaged than desired. Thus, clarity was our main focus during collaboration with him. Additionally, regarding financing, that’s what [Blinding Edge] specializes in, so when they offered to join the project, financing was included in the deal.
GEORGE This project’s scale is typically what they’d produce. It wasn’t excessively tiny or overly grandiose; everything just fell into place serendipitously. It’s amazing, in so many aspects.
Was Lauren Ambrose basically cast on the set of Servant?
HELD & GEORGE (Laugh.)
DETERMINED Not true, we dispatched it post-haste. However, she subsequently phoned us in a state of surprise, exclaiming, “You all, what!? You’ve been keeping this from me while directing Servant?” Thus, she didn’t appear on set, but Lauren’s casting influenced the selection of other actors, without revealing too much. She was a crucial figure in our casting decisions, and once we secured her, it expanded our options for other roles. Therefore, we needed to bring her into the mix early on.
It’s appropriate that you were chosen to play the lead role in the film “Babyteeth” since baby teeth are a recurring theme in your work. Did Night suggest Eliza Scanlen for this role, given his recent movie “Old”?
HELD Eliza and Dylan were actually cast before we gave it to Night.
That’s yet another coincidence.
GEORGE Did we also discuss this with Night, that we shared the script with Eliza Scanlen and she agreed to it? HELD Yes, that’s correct. We told her about it.
GEORGE Yeah, so I think Eliza’s name was helpful.
HELD We’ve actually never told her that. We should give her credit.
GEORGE For sure.
In one of Charlie Day’s popular memes, his character from “It’s Always Sunny” appears bewildered before a conspiracy board filled with red strings linking seemingly unrelated items. Did you two resemble that scene during every stage of this film, looking puzzled and connecting various, seemingly disparate aspects?
HELD & GEORGE (Laugh.)
HELD Yes!
GEORGE To ensure everything was organized, we sent numerous spreadsheets to the team members and supervisors alike.
Initially, We already had a large whiteboard [ready for use], and we gradually constructed everything until it became logical. At that point, we thought, “If we could convert this into a screenplay, perhaps we’d have a film.
The spoiler sheet for this movie is one of the most extensive ones I’ve seen in a long time.
HELD & GEORGE (Laugh.)
Initially, I felt confident about every aspect, but it wasn’t until my second viewing that I noticed one minor issue. Balancing spoilers with the complexity of the work posed a challenge during the marketing process. Was it clear from the beginning that this would be a difficult sell due to these factors?
GEORGE In our preparation phase, we realized we were essentially writing without restraint since this was our second feature film. We were primarily driven by the desire to narrate an engaging story that sparked our enthusiasm. However, there’s a significant amount of foundational work required for the later rewards, which Night emphasized often. This concept revolves around having visible cards (elements in the story) that intrigue the audience and create anticipation for the movie, while also hiding some cards for the actual viewing experience.
LEARNED After this experience, we’ve evolved as filmmakers. Night has been a great teacher, and as we move forward with our current projects, we’re constantly considering which cards are up and which are down. For the film Caddo, the tone is crucial. Many successful movies rely heavily on their tone for marketing. However, for Caddo specifically, Night agreed that it was best not to reveal the first twist too early, making the viewing experience all the more intriguing.
Did you catch him off guard by giving him a Sixth Sense t-shirt from the film? Did he realize it was a reference without your help?
HELD That was a surprise.
GEORGE But I think we told him.
HELD Yeah, we had to tell him because I don’t think he saw it.
It is pretty quick, to be fair.
GEORGE Yeah, it is very quick.
HELD I’m surprised you caught it.
I only caught it on my second watch so don’t give me too much credit.
GEORGE Initially, what we showed the director was a slightly hidden version in the original edit, but as we worked on it, it transformed into its current, clearer presentation.
PROBABLY WAS THE CAUSE That’s likely why he missed it during the initial viewing. Upon being informed, he burst into laughter.
This movie features numerous scenes shot near a murky, marshy lake, which made me reconsider the filming process several times, thinking it must have been incredibly challenging. Was the environment as harsh as it appeared on screen?
As I reflect back, Dirt lingered on our sets for months, but that’s just a small part of the story. In truth, this team was exceptional – one of the best crews we’ve ever collaborated with, perhaps even surpassing all others in the future. If fate allows, I hope we can reunite once more. Remarkably, many members are traveling from Louisiana and Texas to attend the premiere, showcasing just how tight-knit our group became.
GEORGE The whole process was truly extraordinary, with certain locations transforming throughout the day. As the team trudged through, they’d stir up dirt and mud, turning swamps into mud pits by our departure. This necessitated a great deal of improvisation not just with the environment but also the unpredictable weather, which played a crucial role in the narrative. In other words, we had to adapt to these challenges. We’d venture out to remote spots using small boats, and due to limitations on crew and equipment, the filming often felt very personal.
In November 2021, you were completed. In January 2023, Night informed me that your work on the film was wrapping up. Was the production delay affected by any strikes or pauses?
HEL: Yes, it was the strikes, but I also had a baby.
Congrats!
HELD I actually just gave birth again.
Congrats again!
HELD & GEORGE (Laugh.)
Held: So the first baby was a bit of a stoppage, but fortunately, we have beautiful babies now.
GEORGE And now it’ll be released in time for spooky season.
HELD Yeah, it was then delayed until this year because they wanted it to come out in October.
Before you personally went through the process of extracting your children’s baby teeth, your professional duties involved handling baby teeth.
HELD & GEORGE (Laugh.)
It’s only going to keep popping up in your work.
HELD I know, it’s kind of the perfect framing device.
Did the two of you actually do post at Night’s Ravenwood estate?
GEORGE It seemed like a toss-up. We managed to execute our director’s version in Brooklyn, but then we reached a stage where we shifted into his guest house and worked on editing around the clock from the production office. He would frequently drop by for long stretches to review our edits and offer suggestions. We weren’t sure how much of his time he could spare, given his numerous projects, but we were astounded by his level of involvement and the way he articulately identified issues in the editing process. The films ‘Night’ and ‘Blinding Edge’ truly impressed us. As filmmakers, we couldn’t have asked for more supportive guidance during the process. During production, they closely monitored the dailies every day from Philadelphia, which gave them a broad perspective of the project: “Ensure this performance is consistent across these scenes,” or, “You might have overlooked this moment.” This oversight was incredibly beneficial.
ON THOSE PARTICULAR DAYS, Night would communicate, “You’ve nailed it – that scene, that crucial moment.” However, one day while Logan and I were traveling in the vehicle, Night contacted us saying, “I’m afraid you missed the mark on that scene.” We were taken aback, thinking she had somehow perceived our struggles. We believed we could rectify it during post-production edits. The scene in question was the sunset shot, about which we felt a sinking feeling deep down that we hadn’t captured it right, and regrettably, there was no time for a retake. Therefore, we decided to reshoot certain parts during filming itself to rectify the issue.
Were you checking on the progress of other Blinding Edge projects while Caddo’s post was up, such as Knock at the Cabin, Servant, or any other ongoing project during that period?
HELD We actually directed another episode of Servant during post.
GEORGE That was definitely a break.
HELD & GEORGE (Laugh.)
Additionally, another factor causing delay in Caddo’s completion was the extensive editing process. Working diligently on such an intricate film during production proved challenging, and when we moved to post-production, we frequently found ourselves with parts that didn’t perfectly align with our vision. Thus, the edit phase may have taken a bit longer than usual due to this challenge.
When I consider your creative output, it reminds me of a style of filmmaking that’s intimately and personally focused, in the palm of my hand. However, Servant was meticulous, careful, and restrained. As for Caddo, it seems to echo your previous works. Given your experience on Servant, did that background prove useful in executing this project?
ME: Man, diving into Servant felt like stepping into a unique cinematic world – one that offered endless possibilities for exploration. By then, I’d already had the chance to watch two seasons and appreciate the craftsmanship behind it. It was almost like learning a new language of storytelling, but with the reassurance that the show was nothing short of brilliant in its execution. On the other hand, Caddo was our baby – from the way we chose to film and present it, every decision was ours to make.
Inside the house, when Ellie spots something unusual outside, it’s a treat. Although the filming was handheld, we treated our cinematographer, Lowell, as if he were on a dolly. Lauren even nicknamed him a ‘ballerina’ for that particular shot. We attempted similar techniques in Topside, but on Servant, we refined and enhanced these intricate handheld shots. We believe we’ve reached the pinnacle of cinematography with this technique. The camera can be placed anywhere, making it possible to capture anything. So, our fascination with this perspective—observing the world through a handheld lens—is about finding new ways to choreograph handheld shots. Perhaps that’s how Servant added a touch of Caddo to its style.
You two seem like you have no shortage of ideas, so, in a perfect world, what would you do next?
We’ve Discovered Our tales and concepts stem from the importance of setting for us. We may possess numerous stories and ideas, but it’s about discovering the perfect location, whether it’s a tunnel in Topside or a lake. Now, we have found our next setting, and we are currently crafting the story around it.
***
Caddo Lake is now streaming on Max.
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2024-10-17 20:56