Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, Season 1 of the Marvel Studios series Loki finds the titular God of Mischief (played by Tom Hiddleston) in the custody of the Time Variance Authority. The organization sets Loki on a timeline-traversing adventure that offered cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC, director Kate Herron and their collaborators the opportunity to craft a richly textured look across the seasons six episodes. Durald Arkapaw's work on the series, which streams on Disney+, earned the cinematographer a Primetime Emmy nomination (for Episode 3, Lamentis ).
Durald Arkapaw worked with Panavision Atlanta to assemble a camera and lens package that included modified T Series anamorphic optics and a Panavised Sony Venice camera. Here, the cinematographer discusses how she approached the show's visual style, the inspirations she and her collaborators shared, and what initially sparked her interest in pursuing a career behind the camera.
Panavision: How would you describe the look of the series?
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC: We wanted the visuals in the series to stand out, to have a voice. This was a new platform for Marvel and a new environment for Loki to inhabit and explore. The design needed to be as bold as the character.
I approach each project as if I were shooting on film, and its important to me that the lighting is also a character. I'm always trying my best to make the image feel textured, nostalgic and cinematic. I appreciate a more vintage look, and with Loki that was already built into the story.
Were there any particular visual references you looked at for inspiration?
Durald Arkapaw: Our director, Kate Herron, and I had a deep appreciation for Zodiac, Seven, Blade Runner and Brazil. All of these films have a very distinct visual style and mood. We set out from beginning to do the same with Loki to make strong visual choices in each episode and take the audience on a journey with our characters as they searched for answers. Much like our references had done, we also wanted to build tension with framing and have characters playing in the shadows.
What brought you to Panavision for this project?
Durald Arkapaw: I've worked with Panavision my entire career, so there was no doubt that I wanted to shoot Loki on Panavision anamorphic. Kate also appreciated the wider field of view to tell our story.
Throughout the years, Panavision has been a huge part of my creative process, and I adore everyone I work with there. [Marketing executive] Mike Carter and [senior vice president of optical engineering and lens strategy] Dan Sasaki were amazing in supporting our long show with our difficult shooting schedule and the new challenges we all faced in production in 2020.
What were you looking for in terms of optical characteristics that drew you to a modified set of T Series lenses?
Durald Arkapaw: I react emotionally to lens characteristics, so it's very important to me that my choices aid in telling the story. The first thing I do on any project is obsess about and choose the lenses. I believe that is the first creative choice I make that the audience will inherently feel.
When working with Dan Sasaki on the characteristics for our set, I gave him the original Blade Runner and The Yards as references. Dan knows my deep love for anamorphic and how much I appreciate all the elements that go into making and modifying those lenses. It's always amazing collaborating with him and having him be a part of the creative process.
How did Loki differ from other projects in your career?
Durald Arkapaw: This project was one of the most creatively rewarding experiences. Kate and our producer Kevin Wright did an amazing job of putting together a beautiful team of filmmakers that shared the same sense of taste and passion for storytelling. Having Marvel's support from the beginning and being able to collaborate on this level of project was very satisfying. Having the trust of the filmmakers around you makes for the best creative environment and overall film.
What inspired you to become a cinematographer and what keeps you inspired today?
Durald Arkapaw: I went to undergrad at Loyola Marymount University for art history. After taking a film-genre course, where we watched and wrote papers on Raging Bull and Broadway Danny Rose, I started to research what a cinematographer was. I already had a background in photography and made short films about my friends on the weekends. I looked up who shot one of my favorite films, Blow, and I saw that a woman named Ellen Kuras [ASC] shot it. After that, I was inspired and determined to learn this craft. Learning about Ellen and her work made a big impact on me pursuing a career in cinematography. That was a big inspiration early on, that women were rare in this field and that I had a unique voice to contribute.
Today I am constantly inspired by my friends and colleagues. It's rewarding when I can be a part of work that resonates with people and is affecting. I've recently enjoyed working hand in hand with the VFX department. It's been fun collaborating with like-minded creatives who are driven by making the work better and solving problems. That's a very gratifying place to be when you're telling big stories with lots of moving parts.
Everyone's life experience is so faceted and subjective; that plays such a huge role in how you photograph a story. I believe you bring your life experience into every decision you make as a DP, from lens choice to how you light a scene. Your personal taste and background are ultimately infused into the work.
Images courtesy of Marvel Studios.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
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...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
04/03/2026
Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the governing body for Italy's premier basketball...
04/03/2026
Wrexham AFC co-chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds will host a first-of-its-kind ...
04/03/2026
The countdown is underway and with just 100 days to go until the world's greatest sporting event begins on Thurs., June 11, FOX Sports, America's Englis...
04/03/2026
No matter where they are in the world, service members and veterans can stream N...
04/03/2026
Telemundo officially releases Somos M s, the anthem for the network's cove...
04/03/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives, and execut...
04/03/2026
Smith Entertainment Group transformed how local sports are consumed by creating ...
04/03/2026
The production method, which spans a distance of 36.2 miles, was designed and im...
04/03/2026
Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and...
04/03/2026
When Hugues Meyrath came out of retirement to take the helm as CEO of Quantum, i...
04/03/2026
Last week's launch of Banana Ball Championship League has spurred a significant upgrade of production facilities
The Savannah Bananas, arguably the hottest...
04/03/2026
sldkfjsdlfkjsldkfjsldkjfslkdjfslkdjfsl
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus...
04/03/2026
For many fans, a song's backstory can be just as compelling as the final pro...
04/03/2026
In 2006, Spotify was founded on the belief that technology could bring artists a...
04/03/2026
Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we&#...
04/03/2026
Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conver...
04/03/2026
Earlier this year, we launched Directed By, a documentary-style series that pull...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
04/03/2026
KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance In a joint 6G AI proof-of-concept demonstration, the CMX500 one-box tester from ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, 3 March 2026 - SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company's full year financial results for ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, March 3, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, along with I...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innov...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open...
04/03/2026
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage
Sky Sports is preparing for one of the most highly anticipated F1 seasons in recen...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with ...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities
Business
04 March 2026
GlobalUnited States
Link copied to clipboard
After launching the Netflix Ad...
04/03/2026
Scripps Research welcomes healthcare innovator Joe Kiani to the Board of Directors Kiani brings decades of experience in patient safety and public service.
Mar...
04/03/2026
Nanoparticle vaccine approach takes on a new target: Hepatitis C virus Scripps Research scientists reengineer critical proteins on the surface of HCV, paving th...
03/03/2026
Beyond Sports, a Sony group company, and LIV Golf, the world's golf league, ...
03/03/2026
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announces the launch of Detroit SportsNet (DSN), a year-round broadcast home for two of Detroit's franchises. With flexible op...
03/03/2026
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media ...
03/03/2026
The PGA of America, NBC Sports and USA Sports extend their media rights agreemen...
03/03/2026
AI device ecosystem company HONOR enters into a strategic technical collaboratio...
03/03/2026
Cleveland's Telos Alliance, pioneers in broadcast technology for 30 years, l...
03/03/2026
The MD 9235 microphone head for wireless handhelds has been a firm favorite with many engineers and artists for its ability to cut through high on-stage levels ...
03/03/2026
Haivision Systems Inc. (Haivision), a global provider of mission-critical, real-...
03/03/2026
Broadcast Management Group (BMG) announces the expansion of its 62,000-square-fo...
03/03/2026
Maroon 5's musical tour in 2025 marked a leap forward in live audio as Monitor Engineer Dave Rupsch utilized Sennheiser's all-digital Spectera wireless ...
03/03/2026
Designed specifically for pro basketball, the renovated space at Gainbridge Fiel...
03/03/2026
As part of the move, former CEO Phillipp Lawo joins the broadcast-tech provider's Supervisory Board
Lawo has announced appointment of Jamie Dunn as chief e...
03/03/2026
A team of legendary announcers and analysts and a classic graphics look will bring the past to life
NBC Sports and Peacock will return to yesteryear for tonigh...
Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, Season 1 of the Marvel Studios series Loki finds the titular God of Mischief (played by Tom Hiddleston) in the custody of the Time Variance Authority. The organization sets Loki on a timeline-traversing adventure that offered cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC, director Kate Herron and their collaborators the opportunity to craft a richly textured look across the seasons six episodes. Durald Arkapaw's work on the series, which streams on Disney+, earned the cinematographer a Primetime Emmy nomination (for Episode 3, Lamentis ).
