Chapters

00:00 The Journey into Cinematography

13:00 Influence of Japan on Artistic Perspective

18:55 Evolving Views on Visual Effects

32:07 Lighting Techniques and VFX Integration

43:17 The Pressures of Filmmaking and VFX

44:28 The Subtlety of Visual Effects

45:14 Seamless Integration of VFX in Storytelling

48:29 The Harmony of Practical and Visual Effects

49:50 Innovations in Cinematography and VFX

52:21 The Evolution of Filmmaking Technology

55:15 The Future of Visual Effects and Technology

57:28 Augmented Reality and the Future of Cinema

01:01:29 The Changing Landscape of Film Projection

01:07:28 Advice for Emerging Filmmakers

01:12:02 The Importance of Embracing Failure in Filmmaking

01:16:53 Common Mistakes in Visual Effects Planning

01:19:42 The Balance of Practical Effects and VFX

01:23:06 Navigating the Future of Cinematography

01:31:31 The Evolution of Digital Cinematography

01:38:25 Emerging Technologies in Cinematography

01:47:10 The Importance of Communication in Cinematography

Description

What does it mean to be a cinematographer in an age where visual effects are everywhere—but ideally invisible?

In this episode, we sit down with Eben Bolter (The Last of Us, Slow Horses, Cape Fear, Night Teeth) to explore the evolving relationship between cinematography and VFX. Eben shares his unlikely path from marketing exec to acclaimed DP, the lessons he took from Japan about discipline and artistry, and why his “film school” was a London short-film grind that taught him everything from composition to collaboration.

We dive into:

🎥 The subtle art of lighting for VFX integration (and why he’s done with green/blue screens).

🌧️ The blend of practical effects and digital extension—rain, fire, and beyond.

🕹️ Why games and cinematography are closer than most people think.

🎞️ How digital cinematography still chases the “film look”—and what might come next.

⚡ The role of failure, risk, and accidents in shaping unique visuals.

👀 Why the best VFX are the ones you never notice.

From The Last of Us road trips you can’t tell were blue screen, to turning New Orleans into Los Angeles with invisible palm trees, Eben shows us how VFX “save the day” in ways audiences never realise. Along the way, he reflects on the future—HDR, AI, VR—and the need for cinematographers to stay flexible, curious, and relentlessly collaborative.

If you’ve ever wondered how the unseen work of VFX and cinematography merge to create the images that move us, this conversation will change how you look at the screen.

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