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Filmmaker
Andrew Shankweiler
Director of Photography / Gaffer
(Photograph
by Nicholas Reader)
Andrew Shankweiler is not only one of the most
talented Gaffers and Directors of Photography that
Expressway has worked with, but he is an esteemed
colleague, dedicated filmmaker, and good friend to
the company. His hard work and motivation to
excel at his craft is exemplary and a model for all
aspiring filmmakers.
He has worked with Expressway on almost every
project we have created and each project is
respectively better for it. For the purposes
of this article, it is important to note that Andrew
was the Gaffer of both Expressway Productions'
feature film crews on "The Fields" and "A Good Day
For It". The following piece, written by
Andrew Shankweiler, recounts one experience in
particular that he has carried with him since.
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Filmmaker Andrew Shankweiler
On
collaboration and inspiration
It was one of the coldest nights of the year and we
were outside on a farm deep in the Pocono Mountains. A
Good Day for It was winding down in the shooting
schedule and this was proving to be our roughest location. The inside
of the barn was lit up from all sides to recreate
daylight. I was all by myself taking the final meter
readings before talent came to set. I could hear the
ever so quiet hum of the generator as it powers up
our substantial lighting set up. I take a step back
and succumb to the serenity of the moment. This same
moment of self reflection allows for the time to
think back on everything we have accomplished on
this job.
The
moment runs out and people start flooding the set.
As quickly as my mind settles down, it picks right
back up. Among the frozen mud and cow manure we are
trying to do our part to orchestrate a brutal murder
scene.
What
made this night so memorable to me was the fact that
this set up became one of my proudest experiences at
work. Everything came together so well. Certainly
not from the beginning of the day, but when
recognizing the final product, it all worked
perfectly. The DP, Key Grip and I were challenged to
overcome what felt like endless obstacles. The
collaborative atmosphere that resulted from such a
high level of adversity manifested itself into an
impressive creativity. It was this joint collective
experience that resonates so greatly with me even to
this day.
The
barn itself aided in what I might describe as one of
the best looking scenes I have been a part of. The
use of every crack or hole in the dilapidated
structure allowed us to pour in light using these
disparities as a source for natural cuts. The beams
of light shine through the cracks allowing our
menacing villain to walk in and out of shadows,
while getting slammed by quick rays of manufactured
sun every time he takes a few steps.
We
succeeded in creating a memorable scene even after
being cursed from the beginning of the day.
Everything we needed to overcome throughout, from
the breakfast debacle, the truck parking fiasco,
frozen cable, steep muddy hills, sub-zero
temperatures, to an exhaustingly long day and even a
dropped 6k par, all added to the feeling of
satisfaction at the end of the day. Every step
proving to ourselves we are still capable and still
pursuing creative perfection in this grueling,
stressful and tiring environment. It was one of the
most refreshing feelings of realization I can
recount.
Just
as all moments like these, it was short lived. As
the AD’s were flying us through the scene in order
to get us home, it was time to call it a night. It
was the time when my brain turns away from lighting
set ups, and transitions into “how fast can we get
back to the truck with all the gear”. In these
moments you don’t have time to think about what you
just accomplished, or whether or not it will work in
the movie; you just wrap. Fortunately, this night
has stayed with me for over a year now and I hope it
can be a constant reminder to me as I look for
inspiration in future days; when the task seems to
be impossible and the outcome of success looks more
and more bleak. It is important for me in these
moments to be able to recall proud memories of
accomplishment like this one and not to get sucked
down into despair, but rather look forward to
overcoming the obstacles at hand and achieving our
goals.
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Check
out Andrew's reel on our Gallery page or click the
link below.
Andrew
Shankweiler Director of Photography
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