The Look of The Perfect Couple Netflix Series
Prepare to step behind the camera and into the captivating world of The Perfect Couple, a Netflix series that seamlessly intertwines mystery and suspense with breathtaking cinematography. This visually stunning production is the result of the combined talents of co-directors of photography, Shane Hurlbut, ASC and Roberto De Angelis, AIC, working in tandem with series director and executive producer, Susanne Bier.
In this in-depth exploration, we’ll delve into their creative process, uncovering the techniques, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped the look of the series and its cinematography. From the sun-kissed landscapes of Nantucket to the shadowy corners concealing secrets, The Perfect Couple weaves a visual tapestry that is both enchanting and unsettling.
De Angelis and Hurlbut’s passion for the genre shines through as they share their insights into the art of storytelling through light, shadow, and camera movement. This article aims to mirror the series itself, peeling back the layers of cinematic artistry to offer a window into visual storytelling for filmmakers.
EMBRACING THE GENRE’S ESSENCE: MYSTERY, SUSPENSE, AND LAYERED CHARACTERS
“We love shooting mysteries and thrillers,” DeAngelis and Hurlbut enthuse, drawn to the genre’s riveting blend of drama, suspense, and character development. The limited series format, in this case, six episodes, allows for a deep exploration of each character, exposing hidden truths, motivations, and secrets.
Mirroring the suspenseful allure of movies like The Usual Suspects, The Perfect Couple keeps viewers guessing with every episode, ensuring no one is above suspicion. The narrative unfolds against the idyllic, yet deceptive, backdrop of Nantucket during the peak of wedding season. A murder at a rehearsal dinner sets the stage for a gripping mystery where everyone becomes a suspect.
At the heart of the story is the wealthy Winbury family and their complex relationships. Nicole Kidman’s Greer Garrison Winbury, a successful author and the family’s financial pillar, contrasts sharply with her husband, Tag Winbury (Liev Schreiber), a trust fund baby harboring secrets and prone to self-destructive behavior. Their son, Benji (Billy Howle), is on the cusp of marrying Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson), a woman from a modest background, further complicating the family dynamic.
FLASHBACKS AS A STORYTELLING DEVICE: UNVEILING THE TRUTH
The Perfect Couple distinguishes itself with its innovative use of flashbacks, a technique skillfully wielded by series director, Susanne Bier. Departing from conventional flashbacks that span vast periods, Bier opts for a more immediate and tightly focused approach. These flashbacks are confined to the day or two surrounding the central murder, creating a sense of urgency and heightened suspense.
“We’re peeling the onion with these flashbacks,” cinematographer Shane Hurlbut, ASC explains, echoing Bier’s vision.
Each flashback offers a glimpse into the events from a different character’s perspective, gradually revealing hidden truths and motivations. This fragmented narrative style, reminiscent of films like Run Lola Run and 11:14, actively engages the audience, inviting them to piece together the puzzle alongside the investigators.
Bier’s masterful use of flashbacks ensures that every revelation brings us closer to the shocking truth, keeping viewers mesmerized until the final, dramatic reveal.
A COLLABORATIVE VISION: TWO DPS AS ONE SUPERPOWER
Hurlbut’s collaboration with co-DP Roberto De Angelis wasn’t just a practical necessity, it was the beating heart of the project’s visual success. Their shared history on seven previous films had forged a bond of trust and understanding, allowing them to operate as a well-oiled machine. Hurlbut describes it as a seamless dance, each DP instinctively knowing their role and anticipating the other’s moves.
De Angelis, with his keen eye for composition and camera movement, became the maestro of capturing the scene’s essence. His focus on textures and the interplay of light and shadow imbued every frame with depth and dimension.
Hurlbut, meanwhile, harnessed light like a painter’s brush, crafting the mood and atmosphere of each scene. His attention to color tones ensured a visual consistency that tied the series together, even across continents and sets.
“Together, we became one super powerful director of photography,” Hurlbut reflects.
This unique partnership allowed them to navigate the challenges of a fast-paced production and a director known for her spontaneity.
With two DPs on set, they could divide and conquer, ensuring every shot was meticulously planned and executed, supporting the director and embracing her creativity. It was a dynamic fusion of technical skill and artistic vision, resulting in a visual language that was both cohesive and enthralling.
CAMERA CHOICE: TESTING THE WATERS
In the pursuit of the perfect visual aesthetic for The Perfect Couple, Shane Hurlbut and Roberto De Angelis embarked on a rigorous camera testing process. The ARRI 35, RED Raptor, ARRI LF, and Sony Venice 2 were all put through their paces, evaluated for skin tone rendering, highlight roll-off, and performance in mixed lighting scenarios. The Sony Venice 2 emerged as the clear frontrunner, its exceptional skin tone reproduction aligning seamlessly with the series’ focus on wealth, glamour, and the nuances of human interaction.
A SUBTLER PALETTE & SEAMLESS TRANSITIONS
Further testing revealed the Venice 2’s ability to handle a wide range of color temperatures with finesse, producing a softer, more nuanced palette compared to its competitors. Its smooth transitions between highlights, mid-tones, and shadows added to its allure.
The combination of exceptional skin tones, subtle color rendition, and seamless tonal gradations solidified the Venice 2 as the camera of choice for The Perfect Couple.
THE PERFECT PAIRING: VENICE 2 AND CALDWELL CHAMELEONS
The Caldwell Chameleon lenses proved to be the ideal complement to the Sony Venice 2. Their unique characteristics, including distinctive flares and a cinematic softness that minimized skin imperfections, contributed to the series’ filmic aesthetic.
The addition of Panavision anamorphic zooms further enhanced the visual storytelling toolkit, allowing for dynamic framing and versatile shot composition.
CAPTURING THE MAGIC: A VISUAL TAPESTRY OF LIGHT AND NATURE
The Perfect Couple sought to capture the beauty of Nantucket, where the balance of light and landscape creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Hurlbut and De Angelis, working closely with production designer Sarah Knowles, meticulously crafted a visual world that mirrors both the opulence of the Winbury family and the untamed beauty of their surroundings.
Winbury Estate
The Winbury estate, perched dramatically on the edge of the ocean, becomes a character in itself. Its grand architecture and luxurious interiors speak of generational wealth and privilege. Yet, the ever-present ocean, with its shifting tides and vast expanse, serves as a constant reminder of the uncontrollable forces lurking beneath the surface. The surrounding landscapes, breathtaking in their scope, provide a canvas for the unfolding drama, hinting at secrets hidden just beyond sight.
The Nature Unit
To truly capture the essence of Nantucket, a dedicated “nature unit” embarked on a visual odyssey. Their mission: to document the island’s raw beauty in all its glory. The resulting footage, seamlessly woven into the narrative, adds a layer of texture and emotional depth to the series. Sun-drenched beaches, mist-shrouded mornings, and dramatic sunsets paint a portrait of an island that is both alluring and ominous.
Reflections
The cinematography itself plays with the light and shadow, utilizing windows, doors, and reflective surfaces to create a sense of voyeurism and unease. The audience, like the characters, is constantly aware of being observed, of secrets lingering just beyond the frame. This visual language, carefully constructed by Hurlbut and De Angelis, keeps viewers on edge, mirroring the tension and intrigue of the unfolding mystery.
TONAL BALANCE: GLITZ, GLAMOR, AND AN UNDERLYING DARKNESS
The visual language of The Perfect Couple is a masterful study in contrasts. It’s a world where the glittering façade of wealth and privilege masks a simmering undercurrent of darkness and deceit. Production designer Sarah Knowles’ meticulous work establishes this dichotomy from the outset.
The Winbury estate exudes generations of affluence with rich colors, luxurious textures, and subtle nautical touches create an atmosphere of refined elegance. It’s a world where money drips from every chandelier, every piece of art, every perfectly placed antique.
Yet, Hurlbut and De Angelis’ lighting choices ensure that this opulence never feels overwhelming. A delicate balance is struck, allowing the visuals to complement, rather than overshadow, the emotional core of the story. Sunlight streams through expansive windows, casting a warm, inviting glow on the characters, but shadows linger in the corners, hinting at the secrets simmering beneath the surface.
The camera often glides through doorways and hallways, offering glimpses of dimly lit spaces, creating a sense of unease. This visual tension mirrors the characters’ own internal struggles and the hidden truths that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed lives.
THE REHEARSAL DINNER
In one scene, a lavish dinner party unfolds in the grand dining room. The table is laden with crystal, silver, and gourmet delicacies.
The lighting is soft and flattering, emphasizing the beauty and sophistication of the guests. But as the conversation turns to the murder, the camera subtly shifts, capturing the flicker of candlelight on a character’s face, revealing a fleeting expression of guilt or suspicion.
THE WINBURY ESTATE
Similarly, the exterior shots of the estate showcase its grandeur while hinting at its isolation. The vast expanse of the ocean, bathed in the golden hues of sunset, is both breathtaking and ominous.
The house overlooking the water appears both majestic and vulnerable. The ever-changing tides, as Hurlbut describes, create a sense of impermanence and unpredictability, mirroring the shifting alliances and hidden motives of the characters.
This visual dichotomy and juxtaposition of light and shadow — wealth and vulnerability — is central to the series’ aesthetic. It’s a visual representation of the characters themselves, who, despite their outward success and privilege, are grappling with inner turmoil and dark secrets.
Hurlbut and De Angelis’ masterful lighting and camerawork, in harmony with Knowles’ production design, create a world that is both seductive and unsettling, drawing the audience deeper into the mystery at the heart of The Perfect Couple.
THE INTERROGATION ROOM
Within the stark confines of the interrogation room, the series’ simmering tension reaches its boiling point. This recurring location serves as a visual and narrative anchor, drawing characters from their lavish world into a cold, clinical space where truth and deception collide.
Hurlbut and De Angelis meticulously crafted this environment, stripping away any semblance of comfort or familiarity. The room’s centerpiece, a stainless steel table illuminated by a solitary, unforgiving fluorescent tube, casts a harsh, unflattering light.
Four strategically placed cameras, their unblinking eyes capturing every emotion flicker, further amplifying the sense of vulnerability and exposure. The interrogation room stands as a counterpoint to the Winbury estate’s opulence, a chilling reminder that even the wealthiest and most powerful can find themselves exposed and vulnerable when their secrets come to light.
Here, social masks crumble, and the characters’ true selves emerge under the relentless scrutiny of the detectives. The interrogation room becomes a microcosm of the series’ central themes, a space where the pursuit of truth clashes with the desperate attempts to maintain carefully constructed facades.
A CREW COLLABORATION: THE BACKBONE OF THE PRODUCTION
Behind every breathtaking shot and every nuanced scene lies the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of a talented crew. Hurlbut repeatedly underscores the vital role played by the entire team in realizing the ambitious vision of The Perfect Couple. He speaks with genuine admiration for the collaborative spirit that permeated every aspect of the production, acknowledging the contributions of each individual, from the grips and electricians to the production designers and costume artists.
The crew faced a myriad of technical hurdles, each demanding innovative solutions and meticulous execution. The interplay of interior and exterior lighting posed a constant challenge, requiring a delicate balance to ensure that the beauty of natural light didn’t overpower the carefully crafted ambiance within the Winbury estate.
Gaffer Frans Weterrings III and Key Grip Matt Mania and their teams rose to the occasion, devising ingenious rigging systems and employing a vast arsenal of lighting tools to achieve the desired effect.
“Our amazing Electrical team dressed in Cape Cod colors and ready to create!!!” —Shane Hurlbut, ASC
A DYNAMIC LIGHTING APPROACH
Creating realistic moonlight and fireworks displays pushed the boundaries of their ingenuity even further. The use of remote-controlled lights, inflatable pipe lights, and powerful movers allowed them to paint with light, sculpting the night sky and transforming ordinary landscapes into scenes of ethereal beauty. And throughout it all, the unpredictable weather of the Cape Cod region tested their adaptability, requiring constant vigilance and quick thinking to ensure that the production remained on schedule and the visuals remained impeccable.
Hurlbut’s words paint a vivid picture of a crew united by a shared passion for their craft, working tirelessly to bring the director’s vision to life. Their synergistic spirit, problem-solving prowess, and technical expertise proved to be the backbone of the production, ensuring that The Perfect Couple is not just a captivating story, but a visual masterpiece.
PAINTING WITH LIGHT: A TECHNICAL MASTERCLASS
Hurlbut’s philosophy centers on creating a “painterly” quality, where light is not merely functional but an active participant in shaping the mood, atmosphere, and emotional depth of each scene.
This painterly approach required a versatile toolkit and a willingness to embrace innovation.
Hurlbut and his team harnessed the power of remote-controlled lights, allowing for precise adjustments and dynamic effects on the fly, with MBS remote-controlled Vulcan 18K’s.
Inflatable pipe lights, with their soft, diffused glow, proved invaluable in creating a flattering and natural look for the actors, even in wide shots. And powerful movers, typically reserved for concert stages, were repurposed to sculpt the landscapes, highlighting specific features and creating dramatic contrasts at night.
ADAPTABLE APPROACH TO LIGHTING
However, technical prowess alone was not enough. As mentioned above, series director Susanne Bier’s spontaneous style resulted in a nimble and flexible approach to lighting. Scenes could shift locations or evolve in unexpected ways during rehearsals, requiring the lighting team to think on their feet and adjust their setups in real time.
Hurlbut stresses the importance of being able to “react quickly” and “keep on schedule,” which highlights the crew’s experience and collaborative spirit. This blend of technical expertise and creative flexibility allowed them to craft a visual language that is both stunning and responsive to the nuances of the narrative.
Hurlbut’s insights reveal that the art of cinematography is not just about capturing images; it’s about sculpting light to tell a story. The Perfect Couple, through its masterful use of lighting, stands as evidence of this philosophy. It’s a visual symphony where every beam, every shadow, and every flicker of light contributes to the emotional resonance and suspenseful atmosphere of the series.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES: PRODUCTION SHUTDOWNS AND RELOCATION
The production of The Perfect Couple faced a challenge in the form of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, forcing an unexpected hiatus and a major logistical pivot.
The team, undeterred, rallied to find innovative solutions to keep the project on track. With unwavering determination, they relocated the entire production to London, where they recreated key sets like the Winbury home, capturing the essence of Nantucket’s elegance within the confines of a sound stage.
This relocation was not without its complexities. The crew had to adapt to new surroundings, navigate unfamiliar locations, and rebuild a sense of continuity within a shifted environment.
While Hurlbut previously lauded the Boston-based crew, he also wanted to highlight the exceptional contributions of the London-based team. David Smith, the London gaffer, proved to be an invaluable asset, bringing his expertise and positive attitude to the complex lighting setups required for the series.
“This guy was the real deal,” reflects Hurlbut, “and made our lighting seamlessly fall into the same tone and concepts that we had done on the CAPE.”
Smith’s team, known for their speed and efficiency, tackled ambitious rigs with ease, creating a seamless visual continuity between location shoots and soundstage recreations.
“We were totally into curveballs,” he adds, spotlighting the team’s ability to embrace the unexpected and find creative solutions to unforeseen challenges.
The transition from on-location shooting to soundstage work demanded careful attention to detail. To replicate the natural ambiance of the Winbury estate, David Smith and his team rigged extensive lighting systems, including Sky Panels and remote-controlled MBS Vulcans, providing a consistent look and feel throughout the series.
RECREATING THE MAGIC ON SET
One particularly daunting task was recreating the rehearsal dinner scene, a pivotal moment in the narrative that had been impossible to capture during the initial Nantucket shoot. The search for a location that could replicate the warmth and coastal charm of the original setting proved elusive, spanning continents from Cape Town to the Canary Islands.
Ultimately, the team returned to their home turf of Los Angeles, where they transformed the Puddingstone Reservoir into a convincing stand-in for Nantucket’s picturesque shoreline.
This unexpected journey conveys the filmmakers’ adaptability. They refused to compromise on their vision, even in the face of adversity. The relocation to London and the recreation of the rehearsal dinner scene in Los Angeles stand as clear examples of their mastery in bringing The Perfect Couple to life, no matter the obstacles. Through it all, the synergy of the crew shone brightly, ensuring that the series maintained its visual integrity and narrative power.
A POSITIVE AND ENERGIZING EXPERIENCE: A TESTAMENT TO COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY
Despite the logistical hurdles and unforeseen disruptions, Shane Hurlbut, ASC recounts his time on The Perfect Couple with infectious enthusiasm. The experience, he reveals, was “overwhelmingly positive and energizing,” a collective effort and shared creative vision that permeated the production.
Hurlbut credits director Susanne Bier for promoting an environment where ideas flowed freely and everyone felt empowered to contribute their unique talents. The cast, a constellation of A-list actors, brought their A-game to every scene, inspiring the crew to match their commitment. From the seasoned veterans to the fresh-faced newcomers, each member of the team felt a sense of ownership and pride in their work.
This cooperative atmosphere extended beyond the set, transcending geographical boundaries and production challenges. Even when forced to relocate to London and adapt to new filming conditions, the crew maintained their positive momentum. Hurlbut echoes with a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Really it’s a reminder that the magic of filmmaking often lies in the bonds forged between those who strive together to bring a story to life.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Shane Hurlbut, ASC’s candid reflections on the making of The Perfect Couple offer an illuminating glimpse into the intricate dance of collaboration, technical mastery, and creative vision that unfolds behind the scenes of a major production. He paints a vivid picture of a team united by a shared passion, overcoming challenges with resilience and ingenuity.
From the planning of lighting setups to the adaptation to unforeseen changes, Hurlbut’s insights showcase the dedication and artistry required to translate a script into a visually stunning narrative.
He highlights the vital contributions of series director Susanne Bier and co-DP Roberto De Angelis, underlining their team spirit and shared vision. His focus on teamwork and the collective effort of the entire crew reinforces the notion that filmmaking is a collaborative art form, where every individual plays a crucial role in realizing the final product on screen.
As Hurlbut puts it, The Perfect Couple is the culmination of countless hours of hard work, creative problem-solving, and commitment to excellence. The series is poised to be a remarkable demonstration of the power of shared vision, where a talented group of filmmakers, actors, and technicians unite to create a spellbinding blend of light, shadow, and emotion that will resonate with viewers long after the final credits roll.
ABOUT SHANE HURLBUT, ASC
Shane Hurlbut, ASC, is a visionary cinematographer and innovator. He’s a pioneer in the digital filmmaking revolution and a passionate educator dedicated to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of filmmakers.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best in the business. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, these tips will help you sharpen your focus and elevate your craft.