Cinematographer Profile – Alex Buono: Learning from His Story as a Filmmaker
I was so excited to sit down for a conversation with Alex Buono, Co-Director and DP of the new IFC comedy series Documentary Now! and DP of the Saturday Night Live Film Unit. Alex really gives a sense of himself and shares pearls of wisdom from his years of experience on set. We also talk about his new Visual Storytelling 2 Tour, a quality educational event that Shane and I both think is a great addition to anyone’s filmmaking education. Enjoy the interview! Shane has just wrapped Into the Badlands, and we are off on a much needed vacation for a few weeks.
By Lydia Hurlbut
Visual Storytelling 2: Style & Subtext in Cinema
Discount code: AVS2HUV
Use this discount code for $15 off. (Expires on July 30; valid for full experience tickets only.)
Alex Buono focuses on lighting and shooting techniques with a full day of live demonstrations in his new tour, Visual Storytelling 2; Style & Subtext in Cinema, brought to you by MZed. In this workshop, you will run through a crash course of scenarios with some of the most common and tricky shooting challenges he has faced. This includes things like shooting in mixed color temperatures, driving shots at night, lens selection, set etiquette, and how to lead your team. The evening lectures will focus on the hidden language of Visual Subtext, what separates average films from great films, and how to add subtext visually through lighting, camera movement, composition, production and sound design, and hair and makeup. You will dig into inspiration for Visual Subtext, things like art history, literature, religion, politics, and philosophy. If you took Alex’s last workshop, this course will expand your knowledge beyond what was covered the first time around. If you are new to this, you will learn how to harness the power of images. www.visualstorytelling.com
www.visualstorytelling.com
I always say production design/hair and makeup don’t get the credit they deserve. Thanks for the interview! Is this going to be a series? Have a good vacation.
Not a series, but Lydia is starting a creative journey through fearlessness within the film community where women are the focus. Thank you so much for your support.
Hi, nice interview! Loved the transparency and vulnerability.
I am up here in Canada, a cinematographer, part of the CSC, and more. Also a Canon Northern Explorer of Light, and yeup – a woman! I love what you wrote about Lydia here, Shane. One of my efforts up here is to create balance, that being a lot in my career in the film/tv industry. As we know, women are not well represented in many rolls. Would love to connect with Lydia on her efforts of fearlessness around women in flim, perhaps we can collaborate.
Oh, and Alex was good too! haha!
Sarah,
Thank-you so much for your kind words. Congratulations on your success. I would love to connect and believe that every good filmmaker has high doses of both fearlessness and resiliency. Supporting women in film is my passion.
This was great!! You did awesome Lydia.