We've heard the rumors for a while now, starting with a comment on our Elswit story, but we've now received a tip from a source close to production that confirms Mihai Malaimare Jr. is the cinematographer on 'The Master.' The DP previously worked with Francis Ford Coppola on "Youth Without Youth," "Tetro" and the forthcoming "Twixt Not And Sunrise" all of which were shot digitally. But not to worry, 'The Master' is shooting on film and if our source is correct, there will be 65mm. If you're not familiar with his work, we've included a short behind-the-scenes video from "Tetro" and a Sony spot both featuring the DP at work. This will be Paul's first feature without longtime DP Robert Elswit, who was already scheduled to work on the new 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Bourne' films.
Check out 'The Master' cast.
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The real question is: why him and not Elswitt?
ReplyDeleteDude my badgering worked!!! Or at least, that's how I will interpret this news. :)
ReplyDeleteElswitt not working with PTA is most likely due to one of two things: Scientology or scheduling. He's a busy guy and this movie seemed to come about quickly and unexpectedly (rich Megan producer girl). However, you'd think he would drop everything to work with PTA...are we just lucky that Philip Seymour Hoffman could find time for this movie or would he do anything to be in a PTA flick again? I would think it was the latter and therefore I would think that Elswitt would be in the same camp. So my suspicions are that it's Scientology related. He either doesn't want to offend important Hollywood people or he is a closet supporter of Scientology.
Either way, I'm very interested to see how this film turns out looking. I kind of wish that he wasn't going 65mm (for purely curiosity's sake) since this will be a confounding factor in our view at what exactly is PTA's influence and what is the DP's influence. Despite PTA's other films having vastly different visual approaches, you can all tell they are shot by PTA (with Hard Eight being the least similar).
ANYWAYS, this DP rocks! Youth Without Youth is beautiful!!!
Remember those rumors that PTA was going to shoot it on digital? Kinda went the opposite way on that one.
ReplyDeleteYou can't blame Elswit. Since he is committed to two huge franchises he would be screwing over a ton of people if he dropped everything to work with his dude...
ReplyDeletebut damn I wish he would have...
I think Elswit got the same treatment as Jeremy Renner, Reese Witherspoon who ditched the project last summer for the almighty buck when Tom Cruise and Will Smith were trying to secretly sabatoge the project and offering them big money to do THEIR films instead. None of these people were asked back when Paul resumed production this year. That's my theory anyway.
ReplyDeleteI like your theory Baby Jesus! Although the author of this site's explanation on Twitter seems very reasonable. GRRRR, but your explanation is so much more fun and tawdry. :(
ReplyDeleteNot sold on this DP. It seems like a huge break for him, I could list 50 other DP's that are way better. I wonder what Paul see's in him.
ReplyDeleteI saw Tetro, what a wonderful little film. Maybe the best thing Vincent Gallo's done since Buffalo 66. And maybe the best thing Francis Ford's done since ... Rumble Fish? IMHO, of course. I love the black and white. Reminds me of Raging Bull or Requiem for a Heavyweight. Or 400 Blows, or something by Fellini!
ReplyDelete(I want to see Twixt Now and Sunrise! Is he going to ressurect Val Kilmer's career? "Lazarus, come out!")
Anyway, I hope the master is shot in color. I loved the colors PTA used for Punch Drunk Love, such a beautiful, under-rated film. but whatever he does, its sure to suprise/amaze!
I HAVE A SECRET THEORY ...
ReplyDeleteI think PTA is doing this “Master” film and the Inherent Vice project -- simultaneously! I am thinking he is taking an aspect of the IV book (stoned PI working his way through La-La-Land in the post-60’s) and stumbling upon the whole religious cult thing for the “Master.” Kind of like how he used Upton Sinclair’s novel Oil! for There Will Be Blood ... without using a single bit of Sinclair’s novel. Sort of. Maybe. Because if you read IV that whole religious cult theme is seeped through and through ... Either way, I’m sure it will surprise/amaze us all. What do you think?
Not sure about the simultaneous film theory (Vice&Master) but I think by adapting Vice, he was able to make the Master and scheduling with Downey Jr made the Master come first... either way, we might get two films a little bit quicker than usual, which is nice.
ReplyDeleteI was mowing my lawn this afternoon when I came up with another theory ... setting up Vice with such a high-profile actor as Downey Jr. (not my first choice for this role) but making the Master first, PTA can have this 2nd film all blocked out and scheduled and contracted, so that when Hollywood tries to ostracize him for making this "anti-Scientology film" (or I think it’ll become an anti-organized religion thing) he can quickly get this Vice flick filmed and produced and put it out there so that the Hollywood freaks en mass forgive him and laud this cool stoner detective flick. Just another crazy thought from an afternoon spent mowing lawns.
ReplyDeletewell, Inherent Vice also contains a negative depiction of cults, most obviously the fact that the Manson family murders sets up the mood of the entire novel.
ReplyDeleteManson family ehhhh that'll be interesting to set the mood of the film based on the aftermath of those murders in SoCal... I wont read a novel if I know a film is coming out (especially by a real artist of a writer/director) because I feel it ruins what film can do to a good story, which isn't just ruin it as so many claim, but to bring the meaning, or different meaning, through a different perspective... hope we see some good stuff. (We will)
ReplyDeletethe trailer for twixt looks atrocious, somewhat sceptical of mihai though did like his work on youth with youth was good, would sleep alot better if elswit was cinemstographer,
ReplyDelete