Mari Yamamura is a Japanese cinematographer based in the UK. Recently, her short film Scarlet Silence won the award for Best Thriller at London Global Film Awards.
"I used two types of Tiffen filters: Pearlescent for the day scenes and Night Fog for the night scenes. . . . I did some tests comparing Night Fog and Black Fog myself and also remembered Seamus McGarvey, ASC BSC, saying that Night Fog was the best type of diffusion he used to achieve Day for Night. It made me want to use them even more for these scenes." —Mari Yamamura, Cinematographer
The Story Line
It’s about an up and coming painter Harvey who works on his newest exhibit piece surrounded by his girlfriend Mimi and the art critic Zoe, and things start to ruminate around love and jealousy. There are three characters in the film, the painter, Harvey, his girlfriend, Mimi, and the art critic, Zoe. However, Mimi and Zoe are lovers, and Zoe and Harvey are also lovers.
Shot With Tiffen Pearlescent Filter
Optical Filters
I used two types of Tiffen filters: Pearlescent for the day scenes and Night Fog for the night scenes.
For the day scenes, I wanted a glossy beauty feel, so Pearlescents were ideal for that and gave a beautiful glow to the image. At the same time, I was surprised how subtle they were. The halation was minimal and gave just enough bloom.
Shot With Tiffen Pearlescent Filter
I chose Night Fog to keep the same strand of beauty for the night scenes but wanted to add some dreaminess to it, as the story is quite ambiguous as to whether it really happened or not. Night Fog is one of Tiffen’s new line of diffusion filters. They have interesting properties that are different from their traditional fog filters. They can be used for both day and night but they provide different effects depending on when you use them. I think Night Fog slightly mutes the colors and create a beautiful night look when used for night.
I did some tests comparing Night Fog and Black Fog myself and also remembered Seamus McGarvey, ASC BSC, saying that Night Fog was the best type of diffusion he used to achieve Day for Night. It made me want to use them even more for these scenes.
As we were shooting in the Grade 1 listed building, we couldn’t use a haze machine. I think Night Fog added a mysterious atmosphere to the scenes.