With a long list of beloved major motion pictures and indie films on his CV including Gladiator and Fish Tank Andy Cole's most recent project is now an Academy Awards behemoth with a total of 10 nominations, including Best Cinematography. We wanted to know how it was working on The Favourite, if his perspective on the film has shifted now it's been so fervently lauded by fans and critics, and how his approach to the job has changed over his career.
The (Oscars) FavouriteAfter initial pleasantries and graciously accepting a well deserved congratulations on the many Oscars nominations, Cole describes how, despite not anticipating it during filming, having reached this level of recognition is a pleasant surprise:
Yeah, its amazing isnt it? We didnt know we were going to get there so its very, very nice. People have come and said how much they enjoyed watching it and asked me questions about how we did it and its very nice to have that. People are very interested, and its really spread worldwide as well Ive had friends from other countries enquiring about how it was [filmed], so yes, its quite an amazing thing. It feels great, its amazing.
On the aesthetic of The Favourite, which is defined by wide angles and a natural feel, something not easily achieved by traditional methods:
It is a unique looking film and the whole concept from the beginning was to make it as realistic as possible.
[For] most of it, we used a lot of candles as lights. I built some candle holders, which reflect off the back which would then push the natural candlelight onto the artists; that was to give it a very natural look. We did use some other lights as well, but not on the day interiors, only on nights just to make sure we can see something.
The main rooms [on main location day interior], had very big windows. With that wide lens, we did try in the very early stages to put some light in when the light starts to fade at the end of the day, but it wasnt working out because it wasnt as natural. You couldnt make it natural, and then, obviously, wed see the lights. Yes, we stopped doing that. Then if we did lose the light, we just stopped filming usually. One way to solve that problem.
Cole shares a memorable moment from filming:
Running all over Hatfield House with candle lights, trying to catch-up with the camera on a dolly, that was memorable.
Collaborating with Robbie Ryan, BSC, ISCCole and cinematographer Robbie Ryan, BSC, ISC have worked together over the last ten or so years, building a prolific portfolio of films such as Philomena, Slow West, and Fish Tank a fruitful working relationship which has evolved over the years.
Our relationship and how its evolved lovely. We had some long stints together, then Robbie would go away which was great because wed have a little break. Just like any relationship.
We know each other very well, so he knows that Ill have what he needs ready for him, and I dont have to get surplus stuff in, its that kind of relationship. We can easily talk to each other so its quite [nice] that way.
I think we must have done more than ten films by now; [we've built a rapport], without a doubt.
Their films together are evidence of a successful working relationship which allows for collaboration from the beginning.
We both start at the very beginning reading the scripts and then have a little chat. I suggest some things and we test [some options]. We did that on The Favourite, not every kind of light would work on that, so we had to work together to get the right feel.
Working with Panalux and the Advantages of New TechnologyAnother working relationship that has evolved is Coles with Panalux:
My relationship with Panalux is great. Ive known Sinead there almost as long as Ive been working; a very long time and I always go there. Panalux would do anything for me, if they possibly can. I phone them up and something will happen, theyll come out with what they can. I have a very trusting relationship with them, they can phone me and say, We havent got that, can we try something else?' and youll go Yes of course. Lets make it work.' I had some big set-ups, they supplied what I needed and it all worked very well.
Theres a plethora of choices now with so many different lighting products.
This world we live in now, everything is based around how quickly we can get things done. If youve got an LED light that would change its colour, its colour temperature, and its output at the touch of a button, that saves time. Early days you might have half hour turn-around on a film set just to do your lighting set-ups, but that doesnt seem to happen anymore, on smaller jobs anyway; it has to be ready. With the LED world we live in now, I think its amazing. We can really move the day along as quick as we need it to move along.
In the last few years the stuff thats come out is amazing you know. You've got Litemats which you can stick to the ceiling with some gaffer tape, they dont fall down, and that would really save a lot of time and energy and rigging. And then theres more time to shoot, more time for the director and the DOP to get what they need.
Before, in a similar situation, youd be trying to put up some kind of bar, rig some tungsten lights off it and soften them down, and it all took a very long time. And youre always worried that its going to fall down as well. It wouldnt be very good if it hit the actor or anyone else!
Things have definitely come a long way. Im a big fan of LED lights that we can use on set really quickly, rig it really fast, and be able to adjust it from the ground. Weve got a lot of control.
On technology affecting style and approach:
I think every film is different if youre working with different DOPs. [Working] with some Korean DOPs [who are] very stylistic, theyre really [into] lighting. Then you go to a minimal film; like sometime
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
31/05/2026
Olivia P rez-Collellmir to Premiere Original Work at Gaud Centennial in Barcelona The Berklee graduate and faculty member will debut her choral symphony with...
30/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/05/2026
Zero in on one that says yes (and no)
Andy Marken May 29, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image courtesy of Deposit Photos
For content creators the most difficu...
29/05/2026
With InfoComm 2026 just weeks away, NDI is giving attendees plenty of reasons to...
29/05/2026
Reaffirming a partnership that has defined Canadian sports broadcasting since 19...
29/05/2026
Mobile/tablet is No. 2 device for watching TV, suggesting that the sports-production industry needs to take another look at the format
Ring Digital's Sprin...
29/05/2026
Berliner Ensemble, one of Berlin's five major theater companies, has expande...
29/05/2026
Solid State Logic will showcase its new compact, fly-away TCA Tour audio product...
29/05/2026
Gerald (Jerry) Pierce, a pioneering technologist who helped shape the digital transformation of the motion picture industry, passed away last month on April 12 ...
29/05/2026
Paramount+ will be the English-language U.S. home for Barclays Women's Super...
29/05/2026
Further strengthening its virtualisation strategy to fully support broadcasters ...
29/05/2026
Swiss broadcaster Canal Alpha has deployed Harmonic's award-winning, software-based XOS Advanced Media Processor to modernize playout operations across cant...
29/05/2026
PTZOptics will showcase a new generation of intelligent video workflows at InfoComm 2026, June 17-19, Las Vegas. Visitors to booth N8227 will see how PTZOptics ...
29/05/2026
Arizona's Family has launched the Arizona's Family Sports (AZFS) streaming app, a new direct-to-consumer destination for live, local sports. The app is ...
29/05/2026
Starting in 2027, DAZN will be the exclusive home of The Canadian Football Leagu...
29/05/2026
Comcast Business has detailed the advanced network infrastructure it has deploye...
29/05/2026
In two-day event, leaders from academia and industry explored solutions to chall...
29/05/2026
The Basketball Tournament (TBT), now entering their 13th year of competition, ha...
29/05/2026
Roku has launched FOX One as a Premium Subscription on The Roku Channel in the U.S. Roku customers can now subscribe to FOX One using their Roku account for liv...
29/05/2026
In its sixth year, the broadcaster's coverage has become a global brand and ...
29/05/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news and is derived from press re...
29/05/2026
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and playlists are filling up for the season. With summer around the corner, Spotify's global edito...
29/05/2026
New retro-inspired MPC announced
There are few devices that have gained the status held by Akai Pro's MPC range, and in recent years, the company have s...
29/05/2026
Save up to 30 on acclaimed titles
Following a successful launch at Superbooth 2026, Bjooks have revealed that they will be continuing the Kickstarter campa...
29/05/2026
Binaural monitoring application improved
Genelec have just released an update that brings some powerful new features to their HRTF-based binaural headphone ...
29/05/2026
6 June 2026 at SAE Institute, London, UK
IMSTA FESTA 2026 is almost upon us, with some of the biggest names in pro-audio set to descend upon SAE Institute i...
29/05/2026
Gerald (Jerry) Pierce, a pioneering technologist who helped shape the digital transformation of the motion picture industry, died April 12, 2026, at his home in...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
Comparing 5 AI Video Enhancers for Restoring Old Video Quality
Kate Luvis May 29, 2026
0 Comments
Digitizing VHS, MiniDV, and other legacy formats doe...
29/05/2026
Studio Hamburg Builds New Post Pipeline with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton May 29, 2026
0 Comments
Workflow replaces a patchwork of legacy tools...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/05/2026
At the Intersection of Music and Dance, an Epic Collaboration Boston Conservatory musicians and dancers found creative parallels in their recent performance o...
29/05/2026
Back to All News
Latino Film Institute Fellows Screen Their Short Films at the Egyptian Theatre
The Inclusion Fellowship and Spark Animation Grant uplifts 15 ...
29/05/2026
GLOOKAST LAUNCHES CINNAFILM TACHYON PLUGIN FOR MEDIA PRODUCER AND MEDIA SERVICES
This release first appeared here.
Visit our Tachyon product page or contact...
29/05/2026
May 29 2026, 09:00 (PDT) Dolby and rednote Bring More Immersive Storytelling to...
29/05/2026
Something fundamental has shifted in how people consume media. Audiences aren't abandoning television or radio content; they're just expanding how, wher...
29/05/2026
Youtube exclusive special drops today
Watch now
UKTV today announces another e...
With a long list of beloved major motion pictures and indie films on his CV including Gladiator and Fish Tank Andy Cole's most recent project is now an Academy Awards behemoth with a total of 10 nominations, including Best Cinematography. We wanted to know how it was working on The Favourite, if his perspective on the film has shifted now it's been so fervently lauded by fans and critics, and how his approach to the job has changed over his career.
