July 16, 2026

Eben Bolter, ASC, BSC reimagines a noir classic in Cape Fear

DP Eben Bolter, ASC, BSC breaks down the watery, noir lighting, anamorphic lenses, and practical tricks behind Apple TV’s Cape Fear.

Podcast highlights include:

-How Eben built Cape Fear’s look around the theatrical expressionism of the 1991 Scorsese film. He used the same 2.35 aspect ratio as the Scorsese film, rather than a more conventional widescreen frame.
-Working with the production design team to capture the southern humidity and watery themes. Eben chose Atlas Mercury anamorphic lenses with an oval bokeh that give it a watercolor quality. The team also used helium and flame bars to create in-camera heat haze rather than relying on visual effects.
-Rigging LED pixel tape and crystals inside the matte box to create practical lens flares on command.

Find Eben Bolter: https://www.ebenbolter.com/Cinematography/Cinematography.html
Instagram: @ebenbolter
Cape Fear is streaming on AppleTV.

SHOW RUNDOWN:

01:59 Close Focus
14:14-58:02 Eben Bolter Interview
59:16 Short Ends
01:08:21 Wrap up/Credits

The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com
YouTube: @TheCinematographyPodcast
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Blue Sky: @thecinepod.bsky.social

By Illya Friedman

.

In Cinematography Podcast, Latest Posts, Podcast Episodes

.


0 comments

April 22, 2020

Jeff Cronenweth, ASC on David Fincher, Fight Club, growing up in Hollywood, music videos, Mark Romanek, One Hour Photo, Gone Girl, The Social Network and the new Amazon series Tales from the Loop

Jeff Cronenweth comes from three generations in the film business and followed his father, cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth (Blade Runner) into a career as a director of photography. Growing up on film sets and working alongside his father enabled Jeff to take a hands-on role in the camera department. He started as a loader and camera assistant, getting into the union while attending USC. He met David Fincher while working on the Madonna music video “Oh Father” as a camera assistant. Fincher gave Jeff his first opportunity to DP for the film Fight Club. Jeff’s collaboration with Fincher later earned him two Oscar nominations- one for The Social Network and one for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He also began working with director Mark Romanek on music videos, such as Eels “Novocaine for the Soul” and Nine Inch Nails’ “The Perfect Drug.” Jeff and Romanek also worked together on the feature film, One Hour Photo starring Robin Williams. The film presented many lighting challenges since the bulk of it takes place inside a store with flat white lights before the darker undertones of the movie are revealed.

Jeff also shot the pilot for Tales from the Loop with director Mark Romanek, streaming now on Amazon Prime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1htuNZp82Ck

Find Jeff Cronenweth https://www.ddatalent.com/client/jeff-cronenweth-asc-commercial

Find out even more about this episode, with extensive show notes and links: https://camnoir.com/ep72/

LIKE AND FOLLOW US, send fan mail or suggestions!
Website: www.camnoir.com
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Twitter: @ShortEndz

By Illya Friedman

.

In Cinematography Podcast, Latest Posts, Podcast Episodes

.


0 comments