The Newsroom
October 20, 2023
Synopsis:
“The Newsroom” follows Sarah, a news anchor who, after an encounter gone wrong with James Baker, a famous men’s rights activist, begins to be haunted by taunting visions, slowly culminating in a reveal of what happened that fateful night. As her world unravels, Sarah grapples with the paranormal and a disturbing truth to her reality.
My Role and Creative Process:
In “The Newsroom,” I served as the cinematographer, responsible for capturing the visual aesthetic of the film. My creative process involved a deep exploration of the horror genre and ‘post-horror’ aesthetics, which allowed me to infuse the film with a visually striking and thought-provoking quality. I worked closely with the director Jazmine to visually convey the eerie atmosphere, tension, and underlying themes of the story through lighting, camera angles, slow zooms, whip pans, and composition. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that pushed me to stretch the boundaries of traditional horror and address crucial social issues within the narrative. “The News Room” delved into the uncomfortable themes of workplace sexual harassment and victim blaming. We infused a deeper tone of paranoia and anxiety, seeking to shed light on these societal issues through the lens of horror. This approach aligned with the ‘post-horror’ philosophy of addressing contemporary socio-political concerns and providing a platform for underrepresented stories and characters. Our film aimed to challenge the conventions of traditional horror by addressing critical issues that affect individuals in the workplace. With the goal to depart from the horror elements typically associated with the genre, and it allowed us to create a narrative that was not only scary but also thought-provoking. Working on “The Newsroom” taught me the pivotal role of cinematography in storytelling and how lighting and framing can shape the mood and tone of a film. Every shot, every lighting choice, and every camera angle can profoundly influence the viewer’s experience and perception of the story. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of cinematography as a storytelling tool and its capacity to immerse the audience in the world through the lens Sarah. It also reinforced the importance of pushing creative boundaries to contribute to the evolution of a genre. This project was a valuable learning experience that deepened my understanding of both the technical and thematic aspects of filmmaking.
Link to film: https://vimeo.com/874741862