Camera Operator reached out to three of the international camera operators who worked on the film to get their insights and experiences shooting The Martian:
who have experience in the camera and grip department, and we were especially interested in hiring operators and production crew with whom I have worked with in the past.
GRAHAM HALL
I have worked with our Director of Photography, Dariusz Wolski since I first met him while working on Prometheus, our very first 3D shoot. Darius came onboard because of his knowledge of working with 3D. Ridley was very keen to give it a go and it was interesting to see how Ridley would react to this totally different way of shooting. To my surprise, he fell in love with the whole 3D concept and we have been shooting with it ever since.
CO: How did you come to work on The Martian? Graham Hall: When The Martian was greenlt for production it was already set in stone that I would be Director, Ridley Scott’s operator. He and I have been working together for a long time since I first worked with him on commercials. I have come through the grades with him and have been part of his team for many years. It was decided that we were going to shoot in Hungary for production reasons and the tax credits. We had to hire local crew like camera operators, László Bille and Daniele Massaccesi
I have been part of the whole team ever since I worked as a 2nd AC on many commercials, and then over the years I’ve moved on to become Ridley’s main operator. We have a good relationship and he has been very loyal
to me over the years. I find it very easy to work with Ridley and he allows me to express my thoughts and he takes my suggestions into consideration, which is always a big plus as an operator. CO: Can you comment on production? We have been using the 3ality rigs to shoot 3D and I have to say that they have improved so much since we first started using them. We have the freedom to work in the way that Ridley normally works and we have put the equipment through hell and back and yet the rig keeps coming back for more. We shot The Martian over three months in various locations around Hungary and other locations. We shot in Korda Studios, a new film studio complex 26 km west of Budapest. They have a very good set up, and I think Ridley was very impressed with the whole set up.
Camera operator, Daniele Massaccesi, with the massive 3D rig. Photo by Giles Keyte
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