It's not often that a cinematographer is tasked with shooting a film within a film, but for writer-director Adamma Ebo's feature Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul., that's exactly what cinematographer Alan Gwizdowski needed to do. The 2022 Sundance darling centers around the tireless campaign of a Southern Baptist first lady (Regina Hall) to get back to the main stage after the scandalous fall from grace of her megachurch minister husband (Sterling K. Brown).
Among her efforts is the hiring of a documentary crew to reframe her husband's story a plot conceit that presented Gwizdowski with the opportunity to work in both narrative and documentary styles, for which he employed Panavision T Series anamorphic and Primo spherical primes, respectively. The cinematographer recently took some time to catch up with Panavision and discuss his approach to the movie's dual looks.
Panavision: How would you describe the movie's visual style?
Alan Gwizdowski: In order to tell the story of Honk for Jesus, we needed to create two different looks and strategically choose when to show each one. Adamma and I created a visual language that allowed the viewer to differentiate between the documentary being told within the film and what's going on behind the documentary. This movie combines a stern, raw cinematic narrative and a stylistic indie documentary with a video look.
Were there any particular visual references you looked at for inspiration?
Gwizdowski: The cinematic style was heavily influenced by the Cohen brothers' No Country for Old Men as well as long-take scenes from Boogie Nights and Birdman. Several docs influenced our documentary' style. The chaotic camerawork was influenced by the evangelistic sermons in Marjoe. The follow-doc style, drone footage and B-roll were influenced by Weiner and true-crime-style docs like Making a Murderer and The Jinx. I also employed techniques I've learned over the years from my own projects, like Nonsuch with director Jackson Adams as well as many faux-doc projects with director Tony Yacenda. For all the archival church footage, we tried to emulate actual sermons from megachurch pastors.
What brought you to Panavision for this project?
Gwizdowski: The production was already in contact with Panavision before I was attached. Our UPM, Carolina Groppa, has a great relationship with Panavision and had already started talks with [Panavision Atlanta sales executive] Mintie Pardoe about this movie. This was my first feature with Panavision, and I just happened to walk into a great opportunity to utilize their expertise and beautiful lenses.
How does this project compare to others in your career?
Gwizdowski: This project was unique because of how I needed to differentiate but also combine two different styles in a way that made sense to the viewer it was one big puzzle. I've worked on several faux-documentary-style projects as well as traditional narratives, but they all stayed within their respective formats for the entirety of the shoot. Needing to design a story that changed back and forth and at points combined the styles was a welcome challenge.
How did you become interested in cinematography?
Gwizdowski: I got into cinematography by making skateboard videos and shooting still photography as a kid. Shooting skits and interludes between skate-video segments was my first foray into creative storytelling. I love the challenge and creativity in designing visuals, leaving the viewer guessing how it was done, and constantly trying to come up with new techniques.
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...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
It's not often that a cinematographer is tasked with shooting a film within a film, but for writer-director Adamma Ebo's feature Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul., that's exactly what cinematographer Alan Gwizdowski needed to do. The 2022 Sundance darling centers around the tireless campaign of a Southern Baptist first lady (Regina Hall) to get back to the main stage after the scandalous fall from grace of her megachurch minister husband (Sterling K. Brown).
