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In this episode, host Charles Haine sits down with cinematographer Oren Soffer to dive deep into the groundbreaking and much-discussed visual style of The Creator. As the co-DP alongside Greig Fraser, Soffer shares how they achieved the film’s unique aesthetic using a prosumer Sony FX3 camera, a single vintage lens, and a minimalist, indie-inspired production model. This discussion covers everything from lighting choices and VFX collaboration to gear workflows and lens testing, offering an in-depth look at how one of the year's most visually striking sci-fi films was crafted.
In this episode, No Film School's Charles Haine and guest Oren Soffer discuss...
How Oren Soffer became co-DP on The Creator alongside Greig Fraser
The decision to shoot 95% of the film on one vintage 75mm Kowa anamorphic lens
Using the Sony FX3 with an Atomos Ninja for ProRes RAW capture
The benefits of designing visual effects around photography rather than the reverse
Lighting choices inspired by naturalism and a small-footprint, indie ethos
The influence of films like Baraka and Rogue One on the visual approach
Operating with a nimble crew and custom-built gimbal rigs
Remote collaboration between Soffer, Fraser, and director Gareth Edwards
The impact of location shooting across Southeast Asia
Memorable Quotes:
"We shot 95 percent of the movie on a single focal length, which is the Kowa Cine Prominar... you're baking the look into the image."
"The way to make visual effects feel more real is to let the photography lead."
"We wanted to shoot this big movie as if it’s this tiny road movie."
"It was an indie film with a 90-day shoot schedule and a full stunt team... but the filmmaking process itself felt really scrappy in the best way possible."
Guest:
Oren Soffer
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