Cooke Optics, manufacturer of precision lenses for film and television, announced that The Replacement, the new three part drama that started on BBC 1 on February 28, 2017, was shot with Cooke S4/i lenses by Nick Dance BSC.
Written and directed by Joe Ahearne and starring Morven Christie and Vicky McLure, the unsettling drama follows the story of a woman who falls pregnant just as she lands a big contract at work. Her maternity replacement, Paula, seems ideal at first – enthusiastic, competent and personable – but as Paula shadows Ellen through the last few months of her pregnancy, Ellen begins to worry that Paula has another agenda.
Dance, who also recently shot the BBC’s Poldark with Cooke glass and ARRI ALEXA cameras, said that Cooke S4/i’s are his "go to" lenses. “The S4/i’s tend to be my first choice, as this range generally covers most requirements,” he said. “I find the Cookes more forgiving than other lenses, especially when shooting digital; the focus roll off is closer to the look when shooting on film. Although the story needed to feel real and naturalistic, we still wanted the female protagonists to look as good as possible but keeping it believable, and these lenses do this.”
Shooting in Glasgow meant that the weather and lighting conditions could change in an instant but, Dance said, a combination of Cooke lenses, ALEXA cameras and the colorist, Sonny Sheridan, made it work.
“The lenses greatly contributed to this as the contrast holds through all lighting conditions,” Dance said. “We did embrace lens flare, especially in the story when paranoia sets in, and the lenses handle this well – the image remains solid and doesn't blow but has a beautiful subtle flare and bokeh.”
The main set, the architects’ offices, also posed a major lighting challenge as it features almost 360 degree plate glass windows and walls. “As the window was massive, it was not possible to ND, and also we would be shooting throughout the day, so it would be tricky and time consuming to remove ND when the light starts to drop or the weather changes,” added Dance. “I didn't want to over-light the interior, and using big lamps would cause more reflection issues, so less was definitely more in this instance! We soon discovered what worked and what didn't, and the lenses helped me greatly with holding contrast with all these challenges. I have to say it was all worth it as the natural reflections gave us extra depth and texture that otherwise we wouldn't have had with flat solid walls.”
D23 News: Adam Driver To Enter Marvel Universe In “X-Men” Reboot; Ryan Gosling Makes “Star Wars” Presentation
Adam Driver will make a long-anticipated entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to play super villain Mister Sinister, and "Obsession" breakout star Inde Navarette will play Rogue in Disney 's forthcoming film reboot of "X-Men." Driver and Navarette were among the new cast members announced Friday night at Disney's D23 convention by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, along with Driver's "Girls" castmate Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier and Maya Boyd as Storm. The film is slated for release in May 2028. The announcements were the biggest news to emerge from Disney Entertainment's D23 presentation that also brought updates on its forthcoming "Star Wars" titles and a song-and-dance that went sideways from the stars of "Frozen 3." Driver's name was often rumored and often dismissed as an "X-Men" possibility. Many thought he'd be playing the antihero Magneto. The rest of the cast appeared on stage at the Honda Center arena in Anaheim, California, while Driver appeared on a big screen. "Kevin and I had been talking for years about my joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I think we finally found the perfect film," Driver told the crowd of 12,000 via video. "So I'm very excited to be playing the role of Maaagneto!" he said before pausing, taking it back and saying, "even better, Nathaniel Millbury," an alias for Mister Sinister. Also on stage were previously announced cast members Samara Weaving, who is playing Emma Frost; Kit Connor, who is playing Scott "Cyclops" Summers; and Sadie Sink, whose role as Jean Grey was revealed by her appearance in this summer's Marvel megahit "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." The castmates were as new to each other as they were to the fans. "They've just met backstage for the very first time," Feige... Read More