Challenge of shooting ‘Crazy’ in 38 locations, over 42 days
We wanted to reflect the traditional and strict order inside of one of the wealthiest families of Southeast Asia, and used very strong, almost geometrical compositions in scenes in their home. Vanja Cernjul, cinematographer
LOS ANGELES: It was a crazy schedule to shoot Crazy Rich Asians in 38 locations over just 42 days.
Just ask cinematographer Vanja Cernjul.
The Croatian-born veteran of action and fantasy films and TV series (The Deuce, Marco Polo), who is screening his new comedy at the Energa-Camerimage fest, was faced with dozens of locations to be covered and a score of characters.
How did he keep his focus where there was constant motion between such an array of vivid characters?
Commented Cernjul: “My experience in TV (led) me to be flexible when necessary and quickly adjust to the reality of a location. On Crazy Rich Asians we had something like 38 locations over 42 shooting days, in two different countries and four cities. We shot at major landmarks in Singapore and needed to adapt to a lot of restrictions. It was essential to capture and heighten the beauty of our locations under a tight schedule.
His experience in shooting Marco Polo came in handy.
Explained Cernjul: “The weather in that part of Asia dramatically changes throughout the day, especially during the monsoon season. We had to move around quickly with a large cast, who had to look their best and were dressed in amazing costumes all the time. You can imagine that the heat, humidity and daily storms weren’t going to be helpful.”
Sometimes, they needed versatility.
Specified Cernjul: “We used handheld cameras and looser framing in the scenes that took place on locations outside of the world of wealth and prestige of the Young clan.
“We wanted to reflect the traditional and strict order inside of one of the wealthiest families of Southeast Asia, and used very strong, almost geometrical compositions scenes in their home.”
On working with director Jon M. Chu, Cernjul said: “We had a very condensed pre-production period but we managed to define how every geographical location in the story should feel, as well as various social environments.
“The story required a big, polished look and it was important to capture the beauty of our locations in all their glory.”
On the kind of ambience he was aiming for, Cernjul said: “We looked at a lot of romantic comedies from the genre’s heyday specifically because we didn’t want Crazy Rich Asians to look anything like that.
“We wanted a timeless cinematic feel for the film and a lot of our references were Hollywood musicals from the ‘60s.” in