Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Cooke Optics Brings BAFTA award-winner Peaky Blinders Season 5 into the World of Anamorphic and 4K

19/11/2019

--

For four seasons, Thomas Shelby, his family and his gang - Peaky Blinders- have been captivating audiences around the world with this crime drama set in 1920s Birmingham, England in the aftermath of World War I. But the fifth season would mean a total change in how the series was to be shot, moving from Cooke S4/i spherical lenses (used since season three) to anamorphic with Cooke OpticsAnamorphic/i prime lenses as well as 4K for this season's Netflix full-season distribution in the US, available now. (UK distribution on BBC One began in early September with one episode per week.)

One of the challenges for cinematographer Si Bell and director Anthony Byrne - both big fans of the series - was maintaining continuity with the four seasons that came before them, regardless of the new production changes.

Anthony and I had wanted to do this series for a number of years, having watched all of it and always talking about it, explained Bell. When we got the gig, we both watched the entire series again and paid special attention to the things we loved, things we thought could be different and things we thought could be better. But we obviously had to keep continuity.

Going anamorphic for the new season made absolute sense, said Bell. There's a time jump between the fourth and fifth seasons, with a new storyline for the Shelby family, so a new look made sense and it made the series more cinematic than it had ever looked.

The first consideration was the move to 4K and camera selection. The previous seasons were shot on an ARRI ALEXA, but through many camera tests the team decided that the RED MONSTRO 8K sensor had the best look for the project, with the flexibility, sensitivity and physical size of the camera they needed. The next consideration was the anamorphic lenses - and this would be Bell's first anamorphic project.

Following extensive testing, the anamorphic lens of choice became the Cooke Anamorphic/i primes. We wanted a great anamorphic cinematic look with the ability to shoot fast, but the lenses also had to be very reliable through varied environmental conditions and have good accuracy for the focus pullers. That may seem like a lot to ask, but the Anamorphic/i just stood out from the rest.

For production, Bell's kit consisted of the Anamorphic/i 25, 32, 40, 50, 65 MACRO, 75, 100 and 135mm. The 40mm was a real workhorse for handheld and establishing shots, with the 65 MACRO being the go-to lens for getting really close to the actors and to pull focus from the background, said Bell.

One specific scene where the Cooke Anamorphic/i 40mm prime lens stood out was a five-minute sequence in Episode Five after a character has been shot. There's a handheld shot for the entire five minutes with the scene going around to different characters, explains Bell. We had multiple lights rigged on boom arms that hit specific areas so we could move 360 degrees around the set without seeing any lights. The 40mm worked perfectly for this shot giving it cinematic scale and a beautiful Anamorphic quality.

Production of the fifth season of Peaky Blindersdidn't get off to an auspicious start. With the first week of shooting near Manchester, in a hilly area of northern England, the first day delivered rain, wind and freezing temperatures. That's what we had for the first shot of the season, said Bell. And then it got worse with torrential rain while shooting in the moors and countryside area, but camera and lenses stood up to the challenge.

I was really excited to give Peakyan anamorphic feel, and the Cooke standard Anamorphic/i lenses with their subtle bokeh and no big anamorphic flares gave it that look a cleaner look, and not an extreme in your face' anamorphic look, said Bell. We needed and got a softer, more naturalistic look that didn't make a statement that we were changing the show. We had the perfect balance with the Cooke Look - that carried over since the third season - which really enhanced the cinematic scale of the series and brought it to a new level.

And for Bell, when it came to shooting anamorphic for the first time? For me, using Cooke Anamorphic/i lenses wasn't that different to using Cooke spherical lenses - I could still do whatever I needed to do with lighting or even shooting wide open - Anamorphic/i's coped with everything. Doing close focus took a little bit more time, but we didn't really think about it, we were able to use the 65mm MACRO and we just needed to be aware of the camera getting too close.

Bell also has some advice for cinematographers who find themselves in the same position he was in: shooting their first anamorphic project.

Creatively this season was great and we're proud of what we did on Peakyand people like it. If you're looking at your first anamorphic project like I was, it's simple: go out and get a set of Cooke Anamorphic/i's and start shooting, he concluded.

About Cooke Optics, LTD

Cooke is a storied name in both cinematographic and ultra-high-end professional photography markets. Known worldwide for their precision, exacting tolerances and superior quality, Cooke lenses are specified by many of the world's most respected cinematographers. Cooke is also the developer behind /i Technology, the protocol enabling vital lens and camera information to be captured and passed digitally to post-production teams. Cooke was honored with a 2013 Academy Award of Merit (an Oscar statuette) for its continuing innovation in the design, development and manufacture of motion picture camera lenses.

Features in production or recently shot with Cooke lenses include Sweetheart, Vice, Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star Is Born, Venom, Call Me By Your Name, Motherless Brooklyn, Stan and Ollie, Darkest Hour, Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House. Television shows in product
LINK: https://news.creativecow.net/story/899120...
See more stories from creativecow

North America Stories

31/03/2026

Welcome Young Entertainment Professionals Class of 2026

By Kiera Williams Every year, a new group of emerging media and entertainment professionals steps into the HPA community - curious, talented, and ready to grow...

31/03/2026

L3Harris Sets Date for First Quarter 2026 Earnings Release

MELBOURNE, Fla., March 31, 2026 - L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) will release its first quarter 2026 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, A...

31/03/2026

Millions of Miles from Home: How Perseverance Stays Connected

Photo courtesy of NASA. An illustration shows NASA's Perseverance rover operating on the surface of Mars....

31/03/2026

L3Harris and Comtech Introduce First-of-Its-Kind Tactical SATCOM Modem

L3Harris Technologies and Comtech Telecommunications Corp. have collaborated to introduce the next evolution in resilient multi-orbit capability for today's...

31/03/2026

Nielsen data shows NZ retail brands are changing strategies to win over outdoor enthusiasts

Rebel Sport leads ad investment as brands compete for a large, active and qualit...

31/03/2026

Spectrum TV App to Launch on Amazon Fire TV Devices

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

31/03/2026

CueScript to Showcase Innovations at NAB that Add Mobilit...

CueScript, a leading international developer of professional teleprompting solutions, is enhancing its platform with three innovations that elevate flexibility,...

31/03/2026

GALSNGEAR Returns to the 2026 NAB Show with Expanded Meet...

#GALSNGEAR will host a series of meetups, panel discussions, and networking events during the 2026 NAB Show, taking place April 18 22 in Las Vegas. The organi...

31/03/2026

Imagine Introduces AI Assisted Scheduling at 2026 NAB Sho...

At the 2026 NAB Show (April 19-22, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #N1328), Imagine Communications is introducing AI assisted scheduling capabilities within ...

31/03/2026

PSSI boosts live sports flexibility and security with the...

High-density upgrade for mobile fleet and PSSI International Teleport gives PSSI more flexibility for premium live event coverage PSSI and Appear today announc...

31/03/2026

Solid State Logic Enhances Virtualized System T Platform to Deliver Scalable Cloud and On-Prem Production for NAB 2026

Solid State Logic Enhances Virtualized System T Platform to Deliver Scalable Clo...

31/03/2026

OWC to Showcase Storage, Workflow Acceleration, and Reliability Solutions for Creatives and Post-Production Professionals at NAB 2026

OWC to Showcase Storage, Workflow Acceleration, and Reliability Solutions for Cr...

31/03/2026

PSSI Taps Appear X for Live Coverage of FIFA World Cup

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

31/03/2026

OpenDrives Shows Off Sports Expertise in Sports Business...

OpenDrives, a leader in software-defined video and rich media storage management solutions, will demonstrate several new innovations at the 2026 NAB Show in Apr...

31/03/2026

SDVI to Showcase Platform Enhancements New Technology Int...

At the 2026 NAB Show, SDVI will demonstrate how its Rally media supply chain management platform continues to give media operations teams the tools they need to...

31/03/2026

Boland Communications Introduces QD4K315HDR10 QD-OLED Ser...

Boland Communications today announced that at the 2026 NAB Show, it will introduce its new QD4K315HDR10, a 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor delivering exceptional colo...

31/03/2026

NUGEN Audio CEO Dr Paul Tapper to Lead Presentation About...

Dr. Paul Tapper, CEO of NUGEN Audio, will lead an essential industry discussion at the 2026 NAB Show, examining whether dialog intelligibility is poised to beco...

31/03/2026

BCNEXXT at NAB 2026 - Turning Industry Pressure into Oppo...

BCNEXXT will use NAB 2026 to focus on how broadcasters can turn today's operational and market pressures into opportunity. Meeting with customers in the IAB...

31/03/2026

Mediagenix Showcases Semantic Intelligence Powered Title...

Mediagenix, a global leader in smart content solutions to profitably connect the right content to the right audience, will showcase its latest innovations at th...

31/03/2026

DHD Introduces AI-Based Audio Noise Reduction to XD3 IP C...

DHD announces that AI-based audio noise reduction is now available as a powerful new option for its XD3 IP Core. Developed in cooperation with ai-coustics, audi...

31/03/2026

PTZOptics to showcase intelligent video and camera contro...

PTZOptics will showcase its vision for intelligent video and advanced camera automation at NAB Show 2026 (#N1902). Through immersive demonstrations and technolo...

31/03/2026

Experience Commerce Wins Social Media Mandate for ICONIQA...

Experience Commerce, a leading full-service digital marketing agency and part of the Cheil SWA Group, has secured the social media mandate for ICONIQA Hotels & ...

31/03/2026

Fabric to Showcase Cloud-Native Origin Platform and Next-...

Fabric, the entertainment industry's leader in data and operations solutions, will showcase a major expansion of its media technology platform at NAB 2026, ...

31/03/2026

Boland Communications Introduces New QD-OLED Series Monitors

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

31/03/2026

Carr Warns NFL Over Streaming Rights, Consumer Costs

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

31/03/2026

Farhan Khan Appointed FCC Chief Information Officer

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

31/03/2026

Federal Judge Pauses Nexstar/Tegna Merger

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

31/03/2026

Boris FX Acquires Vegas Pro, Sound Forge, and Acid Pro

Boris FX Acquires Vegas Pro, Sound Forge, and Acid Pro Jessie Electa Petrov March 30, 2026 0 Comments The acclaimed VFX developer bolsters its award-w...

31/03/2026

Berklee India Exchange Presents Anirudh Varma Collective

Berklee India Exchange Presents Anirudh Varma Collective The collective will present a workshop on Hindustani classical music and a concert in collaboration w...

31/03/2026

Efficiency at Scale: NVIDIA, Energy Leaders Accelerating PowerFlexible AI Factories to Fortify the Grid

CERAWeek - dubbed the Davos of energy - is where policymakers, producers, techno...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Manifold to Demonstrate 400GbE COTS FPGA Support

Manifold Technologies, a Germany-based provider of cloud infrastructure for live broadcast production, will demonstrate support for 400GbE COTS FPGA accelerator...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Boland Communications Introduces QD-OLED Series Monitors

Boland Communications will introduce its QD4K315HDR10, a 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor, at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C3519, April 18-22). The company is also introducing...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: PTZOptics to Showcase Move 4K and Horizon Platform

PTZOptics will demonstrate its Move 4K PTZ cameras and Horizon web-based control platform at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N1902). Move 4K with Horizon is now available...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Net Insight to Showcase Updated Nimbra Edge

Net Insight will demonstrate the next version of Nimbra Edge, its orchestration and control layer for live media services across multi-domain environments, at N...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Appear to Showcase Live Production Processing

Appear ASA will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W1531, April 19-22, Las Vegas). The company completed an IPO in November 2025. Our customer-first approach is ...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Harmonic Announces New Live Sports Streaming Capabilities

Harmonic has announced new capabilities for its sports streaming platform, covering multiview, programmatic advertising, in-stream advertising, and content wate...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Ateme to Showcase GenAI, Agentic AI, and Streaming

Ateme (Booth W1723) will demonstrate broadcast, streaming, and AI-driven media workflow solutions at NAB Show 2026. GenAI and Agentic AI Ateme will demonstrat...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Bitmovin's Player Web X Adds Advertising Support, Vertical Video, and Proprietary ABR Algorithm

Bitmovin has announced new capabilities for Player Web X, its web video player, ...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Brazil's Minister of Communications and FCC Commissioner To Speak

The 2026 NAB Show (April 18-22, exhibits April 19-22, Las Vegas Convention Center) will host Brazil's Minister of Communications, Frederico de Siqueira Filh...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: EVS To Showcase Expanded Live Production Ecosystem

EVS will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth N1841), highlighting new products and updates across its live production portfolio, including the debut of T-Motion med...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Solid State Logic To Demonstrate Expanded Virtual System T Platform

Solid State Logic will demonstrate its virtualized System T platform at NAB Show 2026 (Booth C6907). Demonstrations will include the VTE1 virtual DSP engine, ne...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: Globecast To Showcase Managed Media Services Approach

Globecast will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W3335), highlighting its hybrid service model spanning satellite, IP, fiber, and cloud. The company will demonst...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: IP Showcase Returns as IPMX Moves to Deployment

The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), and the Video Services Forum (VSF) have announced that the IP Showcase w...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: BBright To Demonstrate Single-Stream ST 2110 Playout

At NAB Show 2026 BBright will present a demonstration of its One Stream for the World concept, showing how a single ST 2110 playout stream can simultaneously ...

30/03/2026

NAB 2026: OpenDrives To Demonstrate New Storage and Edge Products

OpenDrives will demonstrate new products at NAB Show 2026, with two locations in the West Hall: a pod (W3443-E) in the Sports Business Hub and a cabana at W1158...

30/03/2026

Behind the Mic: Amazon Prime Hosts 90th Master Tournament With Host Terry Gannon

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...

30/03/2026

Op-Ed: Preparing for Agentic AI in Live Sports

The economics of live sports streaming have changed. New rights models, cloud production tools, and lower-cost distribution have made it possible for high schoo...

30/03/2026

Government of Canada Selects MAS for Strategic Tanker Fleet Sustainment

CC-330 Husky. 2024 Eric Desbiens Photography. Used with permission for the announcement and related communications. No residual rights....

30/03/2026

L3Harris Included in MDA Space Solution for RCN ISTAR Program

L3Harris Technologies will provide WESCAM CMX -8 sensor systems for integration on new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems from MDA Space, enhancing the Royal Canadian Na...

30/03/2026

EVS to Debut T-Motion Robotics at 2026 NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...