CHRIS SAUL, Cinematographer - This is the area, lenses, depth of field, composition where I really needed to rely on someone who could understand what I wanted and use their talent to make it something special. Chris did that. He has a gift for how to line up shots and is never victim to something “cool” or awesome like a whip pan or something. We had a limited camera package with a limiting camera, the 5D - the 5D is an amazing tool for giving you close to film images for very cheap but if you misuse it or push it beyond its capabilities it can become a liability. Chris never let that happen, but he did let me try some cool stuff like dollying in on a person in profile at night from 30 feet away maintaining focus throughout - you know, easy stuff like that!

I think there are 5 specific shots in this movie that could wow people. I won’t say what they are, but I think Chris and I are waiting to see how people respond. As always, my take on it all was story and character. I had all these moves in my pre-production shot list that went flying out the window as I realized that the Roger Corman philosophy of “a master and two pops” isn’t terrible advice. Many times the scene exists between the actors and only subtle moves or touches are needed. When we went bigger, Chris nailed it, when we stayed small, he found the looks in tight spaces that make the movie pop… He’s gifted and also great to work with. A perfectionist, he’ll let you know if you aren’t up to speed, but he’s only kidding… but he’s not, only kidding, no not really. I really mean it…  but I would love to see what we would do with an Arri Alexa!!!

JOSH LIPTON, 1st AC - I would bet you $17 that if someone punched Josh in the face and then asked him directions to Dairy Queen, that person would soon be eating ice cream. Josh is one of the most level headed, unassuming guys I’ve met. He really helped Chris a lot and pulled focus on some pretty tricky moves. Chris would grumble at him but it was all good natured, except for that one time, man it turned ugly fast! All kidding aside, Josh knows his stuff and is a calm in the storm - not a bad guy to have around!

LAN BUI, BTS Video - First of all, Lan Bui is a world class photographer and videographer… that he was shooting our behind the scenes stuff was amazing. He’s got crazy talent and a knack for being in the right place to get the good stuff! Lan, I have two words for you: Sesame Chicken. I dig it! I joke! Lan is great, always upbeat, always finding something to do, someone to interview, or just getting those gems of production when no one was looking… we’ll look back and count his paychecks as well spent!!!

BEN BRATEN, 2nd Unit Director of Photography - I have to let you all in on a little secret. Ben had been helping me on Ben Banks from over a year ago and was up for another job in the production. We ended up going with someone else and Braten would have been justified in writing me off and saying eff those guys. Instead, he lent his knowledge and talents when they were needed, shooting stuff from a helpicopter, showing us how to use a tyler mount and also rigging a car mount for us.

He also shot a ton of 2nd Unit stuff the movie desperately needed. He’s very talented and the guys on the camera team noticed it as did the guys at Signal Films. Not only talented and resourceful, he’s a class act who handled the situation like a pro, well maybe an 11-year-old girl pro… I kid!!! But really, he’s reading this while making oatmeal, coconut, white chocolate, cranberry bran cookies… plus he shaves his calves (I may have made up that last part)…

-Bryce