‘Reservation Dogs’ DP on Capturing Deer Lady’s Emotion the Moment After She Exacts Revenge on a Man from Her Past

‘Reservation Dogs’ DP on Capturing Deer Lady’s Emotion the Moment After She Exacts Revenge on a Man from Her Past

As a dedicated fan who’s been captivated by the raw talent and authenticity of FX’s Reservation Dogs since its inception, I must say that the episode “Deer Lady” has undeniably left an indelible mark on my television-viewing soul. The performance of Kaniehtiio Horn as the enigmatic Deer Lady is nothing short of mesmerizing and transformative.


In the episode titled “Deer Lady,” the TV series Reservation Dogs unveils the past of the enigmatic title character, portrayed by guest actress Kaniehtiio Horn (depicted here) – a being who takes on female form with hooves and targets unpleasant males.

“Emmy-nominated cinematographer Mark Schwartzbard describes this scene as encapsulating the entire episode in a single swift instance, following Deer Lady’s act of vengeance against her past tormentor. He explains that the episode deals with the theme of historical trauma – conquering it and attempting to progress beyond it. According to him, this singular shot symbolizes this idea, not through any special camera work, but primarily through the powerful acting performance.”

In this episode, directed by Danis Goulet, the filming approach deviates from the usual “observational” style seen on the show. Instead, as Deer Lady exits after committing her latest crime, she guides the camera through her journey of dealing with and overcoming a distressing event. Schwartzbard reminisces about this scene, saying, “I believe we shot it twice, but what she added to it, and the subtle change in her demeanor as she walks away from the house, was simply captivating.” Using a Steadicam, he managed to capture this “heavy yet graceful” sequence.

Still, he maintains, the magic is all in Horn’s acting. “It was one of those takes where, just on account of her performance, all of us at the monitors just kind of looked at each other like, ‘Oh shit!’ “

As a longtime reader and admirer of The Hollywood Reporter, I eagerly awaited the arrival of their August stand-alone issue. Flipping through its glossy pages, filled with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, transported me to the heart of Tinseltown. This publication has been a valuable resource in my journey as a film enthusiast, providing insights into the industry that I wouldn’t find anywhere else. If you share my passion for Hollywood and want to stay informed about the latest happenings, I highly recommend subscribing to The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to do so now!

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2024-08-17 23:24