In this episode of the Go Creative Show, host Ben Consoli interviews Elie Smolkin, the director of photography for the series 'American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.' They discuss the unique storytelling approach of the series, focusing on the complexities of Aaron Hernandez's life beyond sports. Elie shares insights into the visual style, including the use of color to represent trauma and the innovative techniques used to depict CTE. The conversation also covers the challenges faced during filming, the importance of collaboration in filmmaking, and Elie's personal goals in the industry.

The Go Creative Show is produced by Ben Consoli and Connor Crosby, Creative Director and Producer at BC Media Productions

Takeaways

• The story of Aaron Hernandez is an anti-sports story.
• Visual storytelling is crucial for engaging narratives.
• Color plays a significant role in conveying themes.
• CTE representation required innovative cinematography techniques.
• Camera movement enhances the emotional connection to characters.
• Collaboration and communication are key in filmmaking.
• Preparation is essential for managing complex shoots.
• Flexibility in creative decisions leads to better outcomes.
• Finding a compelling story is a filmmaker's challenge.
• Building a strong crew is vital for a successful production.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Story of Aaron Hernandez
02:57 Visual Storytelling and Cinematic Techniques
05:31 Representing CTE Through Cinematography
11:45 Choosing the Right Camera Package
12:48 Using Camera Motion to Tell Visual Stories
17:45 Challenges in Filming Dramatic Episodes
19:34 The Challenges of Filming Episode 6
27:37 Maintaining Visual Consistency While Working with Multiple Directors
33:27 Joining the Ryan Murphy Family of Filmakers
33:57 Filmmaking Mistakes and How to Learn From Them
38:14 Goals and Aspirations in Filmmaking

Links:

https://eliesmolkin.com
https://bcmediaproductions.com
https://www.facebook.com/gocreativeshow
https://www.instagram.com/gocreativeshow

Have a show idea? Leave a comment!