Creating the World of ‘Wicked’ |

In a recent feature for British Cinematographer, cinematographer Alice Brooks ASC spoke about her recent collaboration with director Jon M. Chu on the film Wicked. Brooks talked about their shared creative goals and intentions for the look and narrative of the film, with color as an impactful tool used to enhance the storytelling.

Even before shooting, it was important for Brooks and Chu to explore the color of light, lensing, and framing choices they wanted to use to construct the fantasy. While Brooks had initially intended to shoot on the ARRI Alexa LF, “further lens tests projected at Company 3, including some on the Alexa 65, Brooks and Chu realized that the Alexa 65 offered the intimacy they desired plus the ability to capture the huge sets and the scope of the world being created.

Brooks also highlights Senior Colorist Jill Bogdanowicz‘s key role in refining the film’s look. Bogdanowicz’s contributions helped ensure the final film maintained a consistent tone while allowing filmmakers room to experiment with different looks. Brooks recalls, “We were very close to the shooting LUT and our CDLs when it came to the grade with Company 3 colorist Jill Bogdanowicz, who is such a fantastic collaborator. So we were mainly making the film richer and deeper while still retaining a soft, warm, and effervescent feeling.”

For more insight into the creation of Wicked’s stunning visuals, read the full article on British Cinematographer.