Winner of the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema at the 2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the RBC Emerging Canadian Artist Award at the 2022 Calgary International Film Festival, the comedy feature I Like Movies follows the plight of a socially challenged 17-year-old who's forced to confront the realities of adulthood while working at his local video store. Drawing inspiration from writer-director Chandler Levack's cinematic acumen, the movie marks the feature-length debut for Levack as well as cinematographer Rico Moran. Together, the duo crafted a stylized aesthetic that underscores the perspective of the movie's protagonist, Lawrence (played by Isaiah Lehtinen).
Panavision recently caught up with the director and cinematographer, who recount their journey to turn their visions into reality.
Panavision: How would you describe the look of I Like Movies?
Chandler Levack: Southern Ontario nostalgic realness.' We wanted to create a lot of warmth and use natural light sources from windows and lamps to highlight the environments. The movie is a period piece set in the early 2000s, in my hometown of Burlington, Ontario, so it was crucial to create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that was still a bit stylized, paying subtle homage to the auteurs our lead protagonist, Lawrence, is obsessed with namely Stanley Kubrick and Paul Thomas Anderson. We shot in the old Academy aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and we were rarely handheld. We wanted to create a warm sense of intimacy in the camerawork that could really highlight the blocking of the actors in the scene and the environment of the video store.
Rico Moran: We set out to make I Like Movies look at once nostalgic and modern, like the way you remember your grad-photo glossies even though they're a bit sun-faded now. We wanted the colors to be vivid yet restrained and the framing to echo Lawrence's narrow perspective. Chandler had chosen the 1.33:1 aspect ratio as a nod to the TVs we grew up watching movies on. It was a perfect size to frame a close-up portrait and to emphasize how Lawrence didn't really look beyond his own little world.
Were there any visual references you looked at for inspiration?
Levack: Rico and I created an exhaustive visual reference board for the movie, which was so fun to do. Color-palette-wise, I was obsessed with the way that Almod var always uses red and teal in his films. Antonio Banderas kitchen in Pain and Glory became the inspiration for the branded scheme of our fictional video store, Sequels, which bled its way into the set dec and color scheme throughout the movie. We also watched a lot of French New Wave movies by Godard, like La Chinoise, to see how primary colors against neutral backgrounds could really pop.
All the coming-of-age movies that I revered as a teenager and today also played a pivotal role in designing our camera moves and the general vibe and lighting of the film. I think Rico got sick of how many times per day I would reference Lady Bird, but it was really a guiding light for creating an environment of stylized authenticity that remained true to a prickly protagonists lived experience of the world. We also studied Ghost World, Rushmore and My Night at Mauds.
Moran: It was quite a range of movies we watched together to align ourselves, from Andrea Arnold to Eric Rohmer, with stops at Elephant and Marriage Story. Often there would be a specific reference point in terms of framing style, color treatment or coverage strategy, and other times it was just for a dash of fun. I was also keen on looking to photographers like Paul Graham, Hannah Starkey and Tina Barney for their vivid palettes and inspired framing.
What brought you to Panavision for this project?
Moran: Panavision was always my first choice for my first feature. To be able to tell the story of our film-obsessed hero with the lenses that were used to shoot some of his favorite movies felt perfectly appropriate. I wanted to give a touch of Hollywood to the not-so-Hollywood Burlington, Ontario.
I've always felt so supported by Jerry Papernick, James McMahon and Johanna Gravelle at Panavision Toronto, and this project was no exception. Their team is always game to work with me and my crew to find the perfect lenses and accessories for every situation.
Levack: Panavision are the most iconic camera company in the world, and my favorite directors of all time have always shot with them. I love their lenses so much they're not only iconic but divine vessels of cinematic creation. I'd always dreamed of being a Panavision filmmaker. It was a shot in the dark, but I wrote Panavision a very sincere love letter expressing my desire to work with them on I Like Movies. Lawrences heroes Paul Thomas Anderson and Stanley Kubrick have famously always shot with Panavision, so I included behind-the-scenes photos of them shooting with Panavision cameras and explained my artistic vision for the movie and the way Rico and I wanted to shoot the film. When they said yes, I teared up.
Panavision have been such generous collaborators and supporters of the project. At our U.S. premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, I Like Movies even won a juried award for Independent Cinema that included an equipment grant from Panavision. It is such a gift to know that I can continue to shoot with Panavision cameras and lenses on future projects.
What optical characteristics do you see in the PVintage lenses that made them the right match for I Like Movies?
Moran: During prep, Chandler and I tested different sets to determine what would be the best fit. I had a feeling that the PVintages would be the winner, and after a blind test, this was confirmed. I love their soft contrast, velvety focus roll-off, expressive but not excessive flares, and fast T-stop. We didn't have a lot of
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...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
Recreating the 1974 Doctor Who Time Tunnel in After Effects
Graham Quince May 6, 2026
0 Comments
The Time Tunnel from Doctor Who titles is one of th...
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&...
Winner of the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema at the 2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the RBC Emerging Canadian Artist Award at the 2022 Calgary International Film Festival, the comedy feature I Like Movies follows the plight of a socially challenged 17-year-old who's forced to confront the realities of adulthood while working at his local video store. Drawing inspiration from writer-director Chandler Levack's cinematic acumen, the movie marks the feature-length debut for Levack as well as cinematographer Rico Moran. Together, the duo crafted a stylized aesthetic that underscores the perspective of the movie's protagonist, Lawrence (played by Isaiah Lehtinen).
