December 12, 2025

Eric Lin and Lyle Vincent tell a tragic story in Rosemead

The Cinematography Podcast Episode 337: Eric Lin and Lyle Vincent

Rosemead tells the tragic, true story of Irene (Lucy Liu), a terminally ill single mother, and her son, Joe (Lawrence Shou). As Joe battles schizophrenia and urges toward violence, Irene is left isolated from her Chinese American community in Southern California, facing impossible choices without a safety net.

After decades behind the camera, director Eric Lin connected deeply with the personal nature of Rosemead. He grew up in Southern California and frequently visited the San Gabriel Valley, where the film takes place. Producer Mynette Louie, who he’d know since NYU Film School, sent him the script, and Eric decided to take it on as his first directorial feature. “I’ve shot a lot of features and I’ve been side by side with directors, watching how difficult it is to make a feature,” he says. “The thing that sort of lured me into the director’s chair was that it’s a story that I felt like I’d never seen before on screen.”

Recognizing the film’s nuanced demands, Eric knew he didn’t want to pull double duty as cinematographer. Instead, he asked Lyle Vincent, another NYU alum with whom he shared a cinematic shorthand. “Knowing what a DP does, especially on a film like this, where I felt like I had to be so present, that would be a fatal mistake,” Eric explains. Lyle appreciated the trust, describing Eric as a director who “is extremely visual and who has amazing visual references and language.”

Together the two shotlisted and discussed each scene emotionally and visually. To capture the film’s emotional landscape, Lyle chose a subjective camera style. Handheld camerawork and portrait lenses help mirror Joe’s psychological state and the looming sense of danger. Using E-series anamorphic lenses, he created a shallow depth of field that softened the background, forcing the viewer’s focus onto the characters. This gritty reality contrasts sharply with Joe’s memories of the idyllic time he spent with his parents in a hotel. His flashbacks are rendered in warm tones, evoking a surreal, dreamlike nostalgia.

See Rosemead in theaters.

Find Eric Lin: Instagram @holdtheframe

Find Lyle Vincent: Instagram @lylevincent

SHOW RUNDOWN:
01:38 Close Focus
13:20-01:03:54 Interview
01:04:13 Short ends
01:13:09 Wrap up/Credits

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

By Illya Friedman

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In Cinematography Podcast, Latest Posts, Podcast Episodes

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April 30, 2025

Jessica Lee Gagné: Pushing Boundaries in Severance Season 2

The Cinematography Podcast Episode 308: Jessica Lee Gagné

Cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné is an essential creative force behind Severance on Apple TV+. She has an expanded role in the show’s second season with a producer credit and directs the pivotal episode 207, “Chikhai Bardo.” The series’ unique look and world-building is meticulously crafted through extensive testing and close collaboration between her and showrunner Ben Stiller, who also directs the majority of episodes.

For Severance Season 2, Jessica embraced a darker aesthetic, intentionally tweaking the look from the previous season. Even within the artificial office environment of Lumon, she pursues a blend of natural realism and heightened visuals, favoring practical, in-camera effects whenever possible. Location shooting for the episodes “Woe’s Hollow” and “Sweet Vitriol” required flexibility due to changing weather conditions. Unexpected foggy weather worked in the crew’s favor while shooting “Woe’s Hollow” and enhanced the spooky atmosphere of Irving’s nightmare sequence.

Inside the Lumon offices, lighting is pre-planned as part of the production design, with lights built into the ceiling and the set. Season 2 introduces more complex and colorful lighting cues compared to the first season, especially in the finale. Vibrant green and blue lighting creates a feeling of chaos during the “Choreography and Merriment” marching band performance, and intense red emergency lighting strobes down the halls as Mark and Helly attempt their escape. “Red is a color that we don’t use in the show in general,” notes Jessica. “You have this association with love, passion, intensity with the color red. And then in the final shot, we land in this deep red moment with them, that was transferred onto film in the end and rescanned to give it an actual authentic feel.”

Jessica decided she wanted to direct for the first time on season two, despite feeling nervous about it. She chose episode 207 “Chikhai Bardo,” which explores Gemma and Mark’s past and depicts how Gemma is tormented at Lumon in different severed tests. “This was something that I really deeply wanted,” she explains. “I realized that on this show with the crew that knew me, the cast that knew me, with Ben (Stiller) supporting me and the producers as well, that this opportunity would never come up for me again in my life. I really needed to just go for it and give it my all.” Jessica also was director of photography for the episode, since she felt so familiar with creating the show’s look. However, the dual role was challenging. “That was harder,” she admits. “And then working with myself was weird. I realized on set that everything was going so fast.” There was no pausing for a separate director-cinematographer discussion after takes, which meant turning to others for validation and support. Directing the cast was a rewarding experience and they welcomed her leadership. Jessica had extensive conversations with actress Dichen Lachman (Gemma) beforehand to explore her character’s emotional state and shifting personalities within the episode.

A significant element of episode 207’s visual language involves sequences depicting Mark and Gemma’s past, which were captured on film. While Severance primarily uses digital cameras, Jessica opted for both 35mm and 16mm film for the flashback moments. Borrowing a Bolex camera from the gaffer, she and director Ben Stiller shot some of these intimate sequences between Mark and Gemma on the fly.

Jessica is currently in the process of directing her first feature. She will always have a deep appreciation for cinematography. “I feel like I have so much respect for that craft,” she says. “After being in it for 15 years, I know what goes into it. I know how you have to be such a giving person to do that. And I really do love it so much.”

You can see Severance on Apple TV+

Hear our previous interview with Jessica Lee Gagné about Severance Season 1.

Find Jessican Lee Gagné: Instagram @jessicaleegagne

Sponsored by Hot Rod Cameras: https://hotrodcameras.com/
Sponsored by ARRI: https://www.arri.com/en

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

By Illya Friedman

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In Cinematography Podcast, Latest Posts, Podcast Episodes

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August 14, 2024

Lessons in Chemistry: DP Zachary Galler’s visual formula

The Apple TV+ show, Lessons in Chemistry, is a period piece set in the 1950s. Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) is a brilliant chemist whose career is derailed by sexism. Denied her scientific aspirations, she finds an unexpected platform hosting a cooking show, using it to empower women and challenge societal norms.

Zachary Galler, one of the Emmy-nominated cinematographers behind the stunning visuals of Lessons in Chemistry, brought a unique perspective to the 1950s drama. Rather than indulging in nostalgia, Zack aimed to create a lived-in world that resonated with contemporary audiences. The team chose the ARRI Alexa Mini LF camera because it handles natural light very well. After many lens tests, they picked Canon K 35 lenses, which Zack felt were quite flattering.

One of the show’s most visually striking settings was the chemistry lab. While it might seem like a dream location for a cinematographer, Zack found unique challenges. “So much of what chemists do is pouring clear liquids into other clear liquids,” he explained. To overcome this, Zack focused on creating spaces that allowed for dynamic performances, emphasizing natural light and embracing imperfections to enhance the authenticity of the scenes.

Zack and his team meticulously planned their shots, opting for side lighting to draw viewers into the characters’ worlds. They also employed practical techniques like dollies and Steadicams for dynamic walk-and-talk scenes. To capture the era’s aesthetic, Galler developed a custom LUT inspired by vintage food photography. However, the power of the performances ultimately led to a decision to tone down the LUT, allowing the actors to shine without visual distractions.

Collaborating with fellow cinematographer Jason Oldek on the series was a highlight for Zack. “I feel like what’s really successful about the show is the comprehensive world-building that we did,” he said. Together, they crafted a visual language that captured the essence of the 1950s without resorting to clichés, creating a world that felt both familiar and fresh.

Find Zachary Galler: https://www.zacharygaller.com/
Instagram: @zachary_galler

Sponsored by Hot Rod Cameras www.hotrodcameras.com

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

By Illya Friedman

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In Cinematography Podcast, Latest Posts, Podcast Episodes

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