As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the celluloid world, I wholeheartedly agree with John David Washington‘s insightful comments on the significance of cinematography in portraying African American characters on screen. His experiences working with talented directors of photography like Marcell Rév and Chayse Irvin have provided a unique perspective into the complexities of capturing the essence of Black culture through film.
In the realm of filmmaking, cinematographers play a crucial role in capturing scenes as imagined by directors, while infusing their unique artistic touch. Amongst the various abilities a Director of Photography may possess, one distinct talent is mastering the art of filming African American skin tones for the big screen – a topic that has been debated extensively and gained significant attention in recent times. It’s a complex issue, to say the least. Notably, renowned actor John David Washington has shared his thoughts on this subject during an episode on TopMob’s podcast.
John David Washington revisited our ReelBlend podcast for a chat about his upcoming movie, “The Piano Lesson,” set to release in 2024. Throughout the conversation, this avid film enthusiast delved into the intricacies of filmmaking. At one point, Washington touched upon the significance of having a cinematographer who can effectively capture and illuminate Black skin on screen. Later, co-host Jake Hamilton requested that Washington elaborate on this topic, as it might be unfamiliar to some listeners. Consequently, Washington expressed his views on the matter:
This topic requires careful handling since it’s sensitive and we don’t want to dwell on it excessively. However, it is an undeniable aspect of the situation. I had the privilege of working on the film “Malcolm & Marie” with cinematographer Marcell [Rév]. A big shout-out to Marcel! This point was a significant part of our conversations, especially considering that the film is in black and white, and there aren’t many individuals who resemble us in such films during the black-and-white era. Therefore, we felt it was important to acknowledge and honor this aspect as well.
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As a gamer, I can’t help but agree with the actor from Tenet – this topic is delicate, yet crucial. For far too long, films have been dimly lit when it comes to showcasing African American talent, due to insufficient lighting. It’s refreshing to see that Directors of Photography (DPs) are becoming more aware of this issue and making a conscious effort to rectify it in their work. The impressive resumes of Rachel Morrison (Fruitvale Station, Black Panther), James Laxton (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk), and Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) are clear evidence of this positive change.
As a gamer, I’ve come to realize that lighting Black actors effectively isn’t just about brightening their scenes. John David Washington echoed this sentiment when he talked about his work with Marcell Rév on the intensely emotional film “Malcolm & Marie,” as well as Spike Lee’s award-winning “BlacKkKlansman.” These projects showed me that it’s crucial to understand the subtleties of each performance and how lighting can enhance or detract from the emotional depth portrayed by these talented actors.
It’s not just about how to illuminate specific skin tones, but rather, it’s about the way directors and their teams capture particular rhythms, cultural nuances, and behaviors. This is a holistic approach that requires open-minded artists. For instance, Marcel shares a passion for hip hop music, and we often debated who the best Wu-Tang Clan rapper was. When directors can connect with their team on a personal level like this, I believe they can truly capture the director’s essence in a way that might not be possible otherwise. Chayse Irvin in BlacKkKlansman had a similar connection with Spike Lee; they watched films together to understand the genre and style of the film they were creating. I think these conversations play a significant role in shaping the visual aesthetic of a film.
Given the outstanding visual quality of the critically acclaimed drama The Piano Lesson, it’s likely that director Malcolm Washington (John David’s brother) held insightful conversations with cinematographer Mike Gioulakis. Not only does Gioulakis skillfully film the Black cast, but he also successfully portrays the mood and atmosphere of the 1930s setting. The cinematographer’s work significantly enhances an adaptation of August Wilson’s famous play that offers a poignant exploration of generational trauma.
The discussion revolving around how Black skin is filmed will surely continue. However, I’d hope that as that happens, people will take note of John David Washington’s cerebral sentiments. The actual process of lighting and filming African American talent is important but so is a DP capturing the touchstones that are synonymous with our culture. Do yourself a favor and keep track of this discussion. Also, watch Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher and more by streaming The Piano Lesson with a Netflix subscription.
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2024-11-28 05:07