November 13, 2024

Action comedy redefined: Thelma director Josh Margolin and DP David Bolen

Thelma is a heartwarming and inspiring action comedy about Thelma Post, a 93-year-old woman who falls victim to a phone scam and loses $10,000. Determined to reclaim her money, Thelma embarks on a thrilling adventure with her friend Ben (Richard Roundtree) on his borrowed mobility scooter across Los Angeles. As Thelma, June Squibb captivates with her portrayal of a feisty and independent senior citizen out for justice and redemption. Thelma challenges ageist stereotypes and inspires viewers to realize that they can fight back against injustice at any age.

Director and writer Josh Margolin’s masterful storytelling and keen eye for detail bring Thelma’s journey to life. He wrote the script from a place of love and admiration for his own grandmother, and enjoyed playing with action adventure elements. Josh admired cinematographer David Bolen’s documentary film, Some Kind of Heaven, which used a natural and humanistic style. “In making this movie, it was so important to me to find a partner who saw Thelma the way I saw it and wanted to bring a filmic look to it, but also be able to have fun with it,” says Josh.

David found the script incredibly relatable, since he also has a special relationship with his grandmother. He knew exactly how he wanted to approach the visual language of Thelma. With a background in shooting documentaries, David wanted Thelma’s world to feel real, so that audiences would emphasize with her life. “Documentaries have really influenced how I film narrative work,” he says. “I think it’s important for things not to feel overly lit or over the top. I’m chasing that feeling of realism and that subjectivity that a documentary can bring.” David chose to shoot on the ARRI Alexa 35, which was brand new at the time. During preproduction, David found the camera responded well to natural street light and shooting in nighttime conditions, since a good part of the film takes place at night.

With only a 25 day shoot, Josh and David created an extremely detailed shotlist. Josh was very aware that working with older actors meant that the production needed to work within their capabilities. The production team kept everything intimate and small, and the set felt like a close-knit family. “The logistics of it were challenging on this film,” says Josh. “It was a quick schedule and you are with elderly actors. So, you know, as capable as June is, and as amazing as she is, you don’t want to do a bunch of takes on something.” He felt confident that they could adapt on the fly and adjust to practical realities of certain moments. “On the page, everything is one way, and then the second you’re doing it, things change,” says Josh. “I think doing a lot of homework and also being able to be nimble was really helpful for shooting an indie in L.A.”

Josh, who also edited Thelma, did not make the deadline to submit for the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, but it allowed him the luxury of a long postproduction process and screenings for friends and colleagues. Once he submitted the film to Sundance for 2024 consideration, Josh felt pessimistic about their chances. But not only did Thelma get into the festival, it was given a world premiere screening. Shortly after, Magnolia Pictures picked it up for distribution.

Find Josh Margolin: Instagram @jmargo999

Find David Bolen: Instagram @davidbolendp

Thelma is currently available for rent on Amazon, AppleTV, or other VOD services and will be streaming on Hulu.

Sponsored by Hot Rod Cameras: https://hotrodcameras.com/
Sponsored by Aputure: https://aputure.com/EN-US/

The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Twitter: @ShortEndz

September 25, 2024

The Thicket director Elliott Lester on his Western epic

The Thicket is a gritty Western thriller that follows a young man’s quest to rescue his kidnapped sister from the clutches of the notorious Cut Throat Bill (Juliette Lewis). With a ragtag group of outcasts and the aid of the skilled bounty hunter Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage), he embarks on a perilous journey through the unforgiving Texas wilderness.

Inspired by classic Westerns like The Searchers, The Revenant, and McCabe & Mrs. Miller, director Elliott Lester sought to create a visually striking and emotionally resonant film. “I look more at photography and art to inform the feeling, because the moment you shoot that very first frame, you’re dictating how that movie’s going to be,” says Elliott. “Where you put the camera, it informs how the performance is going to feel. There was always something intriguing to look at in each frame of the movie.”

The Thicket was backed by the streaming service Tubi and filmed in Alberta, Canada, during the harsh winter months. The cast and crew faced extreme conditions, including temperatures well below freezing. Despite the challenges, Elliott and his team managed to capture the rugged beauty of the wilderness and create a sense of authenticity.

Cinematographer Guillermo Garza played a crucial role in bringing Elliott’s vision to life. Their collaboration was marked by a deep understanding of naturalism and a commitment to creating visually stunning shots. “One of the reasons I collaborated with him was because he had an amazing understanding of naturalism,” Elliott says. “He’s a pretty remarkable DP.”

With no formal film school training, Elliott worked his way up through the ranks of music video production back in its heyday. His experience as a first assistant director on films like American History X provided him with valuable experience and the desire to become a director. “I was obsessive about directing,” he admits. “Once I got my teeth into something, I was like a dog with a bone.”

Find Elliott Lester: Instagram: @elliottlester88

Sponsored by Hot Rod Cameras: https://hotrodcameras.com/

The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Twitter: @ShortEndz