American Cinematographer - November 2017 - 24

SHORT TAKES

Trouble at Home
By Jay Holben

Between seasons battling raging infernos, Chicago Fire
cinematographer Jayson Crothers often takes on other projects. One
such endeavor is It Happened Again Last Night, directed by Gabrielle
Stone and Roze. Based on a 13-page script, the short tells the story
of Paige (played by Stone), who contends with an abusive
relationship at home and finds comfort in the arms of another.
Crothers employed Arri's Alexa Mini - paired with Kowa
anamorphic lenses - which recorded ProRes 2.8K in 4:3 sensor
mode to CFast 2.0 cards, and framed for the 2.39:1 aspect ratio.
The production was captured in two days, at two locations, with an
all-volunteer crew.
American Cinematographer : How did you first become
involved with It Happened Again Last Night?
Jayson Crothers: I have a long relationship with Roze. We
first met on a short film he was production-designing, right after I
graduated from AFI, and we struck up an immediate friendship. He
reached out to me about this project, and the timing worked and I
was absolutely interested. My relationship with Roze was the initial
motivating factor, but I really responded to the story. Gabrielle Stone
was so passionate about this story and this film that it became
infectious, and that really cinched it for me. I knew she was
committed to making the best film possible.
Emerging cinematographers often view short-form
24

November 2017

projects as a means to an end. What's your perspective as a
successful network director of photography?
Crothers: I think many people view shorts as steppingstones to doing features or television, but I view them simply as
different narrative opportunities. Especially coming from episodic
television where I'm shooting one long narrative for 170-plus days,
the opportunity to do something completely different, both
narratively and creatively, was very appealing. I'm drawn to working
on good material with people I trust and respect, and who will push
me in some way, whether that pushing be photographic or purely
collaborative. I love being out of my comfort zone, because I think
that's when people do their best work.
How did the decision to use Kowa anamorphics come
about?
Crothers: Gabrielle was especially interested in a rich, 'big'
look. She didn't want the film to feel gritty and small, so shooting
widescreen was an early conversation. Roze has always been game
for anything new to him, and after I sent some videos of
anamorphic-lens tests to Gabrielle, she was on board. The choice
of the Kowas was largely budgetary. My friend Marc Ritzema, an
amazing cinematographer who owns an Alexa Mini package and
a set of Kowas, graciously arranged for us to use his package for
the two-day shoot. The most appealing part of shooting
anamorphic is all of the characteristics and aberrations that come
with the lenses, which were especially appealing for the flashback
sequences. My first AC, Luis Fowler, is a genius focus puller and
was invaluable in helping to get the best out of those lenses. ➣

American Cinematographer

Images courtesy of the filmmakers. Photo of Jayson Crothers by Elizabeth Morris.

Paige (Gabrielle Stone) feels trapped in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Stephen (Randy Wayne),
in the short It Happened Again Last Night.

American Cinematographer - November 2017

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