Review - Game of Thrones Season Season 8, Episode 3 Cinematography
April 30, 2019Is the Cinematography in Season 8 Episode 3 too dark. But dark I mean literally dark. Many of the posts have been complaints about being too dark. I have a different take on things. I think cinematographer Miguel Sapochnik made some very brave decisions in the choosing of the color palette and the dark spectrum he chose. Given that it is TV and there is not control over the viewing device, this is even braver. Although digital tv’s come out of the box a bit more calibrated then in the past, they tend to have all kinds of default controls on which affect motion, brightness and scenes that can be too dark. The cinematographers job is too create imagery that supports the visually supports the overall story and the individual scenes. The action sequences were the most criticized, but I believe the palettes aided the frenzied mood of the scenes. Yes, there were times between the winter fog and the dark palette were certain characters were difficult to see in detail, but I could see them. I am so glad a cinematographer is allowed to stretch his visual muscles on high stakes project. Miguel said he took some inspiration from battle scenes in the Lord of the Rings. But he did a great job of taking inspiration while giving it his fresh take. Unlike the Lord of the Rings scenes which were lit day for night (lots of lighting , blue palette),. Miguel tried to give things a more realist view. Sometimes the best of scenes and a frame lie in what we cannot see and what are imagination fills in. Kudos to Mr. Sapochnik.