Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Cinematographer Oren Soffer on the short film See You Soon

06/09/2024

Vincent lives in Los Angeles, Anthony in New York City. They met on a dating app and have been talking for months, but the physical distance between them has kept them apart until now, when Vincent flies to New York to stay with Anthony for a long weekend. Their first day is marked by awkward moments and fumbling connections that nevertheless give way to a profound intimacy that's both welcome and frightening to each of them. As they grow closer together, they can't help but recognize that Vincent's departure is also drawing nearer, and once the weekend is over, they'll again be thousands of miles apart.

Written and directed by Tyler Rabinowitz and shot by cinematographer Oren Soffer, the 16-minute short See You Soonstars James Cusati-Moyer as Vincent and Jonny Beauchamp as Anthony. The project was the latest in a string of collaborations between Soffer and Rabinowitz, going back to the latter's New York University thesis film. Shot in New York City over four days in the summer of 2019, See You Soon premiered online on June 27, timed with the celebration of this year's Pride Month. (The short can be watched here.)

The filmmakers captured the short with an Alexa Mini camera and Panavision Ultra Speed lenses, all sourced out of Panavision New York. The design of the movie, in terms of how we used lenses and camerawork to create intimacy, was done to address what both Tyler and I feel is a lack of representation of intimate gay relationships, Soffer shares. As queer filmmakers, it was really important for us to craft a visual story on screen that we just dont see much of, certainly not depicted in this way.

Soffer recently connected with Panavision to shine a light on his and Rabinowitz's creative approach to the project. (Note, the following conversation contains spoilers.)

Panavision: Were there any particular visual references that you and Tyler looked at for inspiration?

Oren Soffer: When Tyler sent me the first draft of this script, our process actually started with music. He said, While reading this, listen to White Ferrari by Frank Ocean. I want this film to feel the way that song sounds.' So that was the first piece of media that we consumed while thinking about how this film was going to feel, and then we started to figure out how it was going to look. We actually didn't exchange a ton of references; I think we made a conscious choice to follow our gut instinct on a lot of things. The two [features] that we did look at in terms of tone and mood were Call Me By Your Name [directed by Luca Guadagnino] and Weekend by Andrew Haigh, but stylistically we deviated from both of them a little bit.

We wanted the whole film to be about capturing the emotion between these two people, so everything about the visual style was going to be naturalistic and very minimalist and not very stylized. It was all to service the world of these two guys and what they feel spending this weekend together. We wanted to strip away any distractions in terms of the visual style and just let it be.

How did you arrive at the Ultra Speeds for your lenses?

Soffer: After the thesis that Tyler directed at NYU, Panavision helped us out on music videos that I shot and he produced and/or directed. They've been so supportive of these projects over the years, so when it came time for this project, Panavision was really the first place we thought of, and I reached out to Marni Zimmerman to see if they'd want to do another one.

Tyler and I had a conversation early on about anamorphic versus spherical, but it was not a long conversation. We wanted a sort of traditional aspect ratio, not widescreen, just to bring these two characters together in the frame and emphasize that this story is about the connection between them. And the Ultra Speeds were my first choice; they're my favorite spherical lenses. The glass is stunning. Shooting wide open, like I tend to do, creates really aesthetically pleasing visual flaws' in terms of the astigmatism, the bokeh, the falloff and everything. It was perfect for the mood that we wanted to create with this project. It was a little bit dreamy, a little bit ethereal. And I like that the lenses are really fast, so when you shoot them wide open, you get really quick falloff in terms of depth of field. That sense of separation between the characters and the background was part of the visual language that we wanted. We wanted them to feel isolated from the world, together with each other and separate from the environment.

It really underscores the intimacy between them.

Soffer: Intimacy was the key word that really informed all of our creative decisions: aspect ratio, lens choice, how we shot with the lenses, and also shooting on longer focal lengths, again to decrease the depth of field and emphasize that sense of isolation. We only shot wide-lens close-ups a few times, for key moments in the film when we wanted to create a sense of physical presence, to bring the audience within the world of the characters. As they were becoming more intimate, we were shooting with longer lenses to create this tension, like there's a separation hovering over them because they both know that eventually they're going to have to not be together. But then, for the scene where they have their fight, that's actually where we shot with wider lenses closer up, bringing them together in the moment that they're coming apart. It was an intentional, subtle subversion of the audience's physical proximity to the characters.

Early in the movie, there's a long-lens shot of the couple walking toward the camera, a day exterior with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. What focal length would that have been?

Soffer: That was a 150mm Ultra Speed, which is the highest focal length in that set, and it was with a 2x extender, so effect
LINK: https://www.panavision.com/highlights/highlights-detail/depth-of-emoti...
See more stories from panavision

Europe Stories

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

09/10/2026

Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026

September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026 New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...

07/10/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Media Operations from Ingest to Distribution

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...

12/09/2026

Transformer Boost from Great Eastern FX Co.

Latest Obsolete Devices pedal announced Great Eastern FX Co. have just launched the latest pedal in their Obsolete Devices series, a range of effects pedals...

12/09/2026

Colorfront And Qumulo Team-Up To Make Every Frame Of Footage Searchable For The Life Of A Production

September 11, 2026 BUDAPEST & SEATTLE, 10 September 2026 - Qumulo and Colorfron...

12/09/2026

New Type RT console and Apex M6 Modular I/O Platform

Calrec expands its IP ecosystem with new Type RT console and Apex M6 Modular I/O Platform at IBC 2026 Type RT is the centrepiece of Calrec's news at IBC 202...

11/09/2026

Positive Grid announce the Spark Pedal

Spark series gains compact modelling stompbox Positive Grid's Spark amps have become a popular part of the company's line-up, offering a convenient ...

11/09/2026

Rapid Flow release omniGRID

New flagship sequencing plug-in revealed Rapid Flow have just launched a new 16-track sequencer plug-in which they say has been designed for total rhythmic...

11/09/2026

Rohde & Schwarz unveils the air-cooled R&STM1 medium-power UHF transmitter at IBC 2026

Rohde & Schwarz unveils the air-cooled R&S TM1 medium-power UHF transmitter at I...

11/09/2026

Sky Sports extends US Open deal to 2030

Friday 11 September 2026 Sky Sports extends US Open deal to 2030 Sky has agreed a three-year extension to its US Open deal, ensuring Sky Sports & NOW remains ...

11/09/2026

A Decade of Innovation: AMP VISUAL TV Builds on Ten Years of MediorNet Evolution

Wuppertal September 11, 2026 A Decade of Innovation: AMP VISUAL TV Builds on Ten Years of MediorNet EvolutionAMP VISUAL TV is continuing the evolution of its ...

11/09/2026

Mediacom Deploys Riedel Easy5G for Wireless Camera Coverage of La Vuelta Cycling in Monaco

Wuppertal September 11, 2026 Mediacom Deploys Riedel Easy5G for Wireless Camer...

11/09/2026

Touring Video Expands Flexible Production Workflows With Riedel MediorNet and hi

Wuppertal September 11, 2026 Touring Video Expands Flexible Production Workflows With Riedel MediorNet and hiRiedel Communications today announced that Tourin...

11/09/2026

Riedel Technology Powers Record-Breaking Esports World Cup Production in Paris

Wuppertal September 11, 2026 Riedel Technology Powers Record-Breaking Esports World Cup Production in ParisFrom July 6 to Aug. 23, 2026, Paris hosted the Espo...

11/09/2026

From Digital Production: Baselight 8 The feature list is the easy part

Article courtesy of Digital Production Read the article With Baselight 8 coming in 2027, the interesting part is not the number of new buttons. Some features...

11/09/2026

Get ready to experience iPhone\u00A018\u00A0Pro, the new Apple Watch lineup, and AirPods 5 - UPDATE - Posted on 11 September 2026

It's almost iPhone Pro time. Starting Saturday, September 12, at 1 p.m, cust...

11/09/2026

Benetti Menswear Tees Up for 2026 Amgen Irish Open on RT

RT has today announced Benetti Menswear as the sponsor of its 2026 Amgen Irish Open coverage for a sixth consecutive year, further strengthening the heritage c...

10/09/2026

Acon Digital introduce Acoustica 8

Editing, restoration & mastering suite upgraded Acon Digital Acoustica 8 audio editing restoration mastering software. Acon Digital have just launched the la...

10/09/2026

Readipop & XOX open XOX Studio

Classic synths & drum machines available to play Based in Reading, UK, Readipop are a music and arts charity with a long track record of innovative, partici...

10/09/2026

Neumann launch the KH 310 II & KH 350

Popular model updated & new addition introduced With many of the models in Neumann's KH family now boasting onboard DSP and support for the company'...

10/09/2026

Arturia launch the AudioFuse Studio Rev2

Improved desktop interface announced The latest iteration of Arturia's flagship desktop audio interface has just arrived, introducing improved preamps, ...

10/09/2026

Progress needs proof: Rohde & Schwarz showcases its trailblazing test solutions at EuMW 2026 in London

Progress needs proof: Rohde & Schwarz showcases its trailblazing test solutions ...

10/09/2026

Apple debuts iPhone\u00A018\u00A0Pro and iPhone\u00A018\u00A0Pro\u00A0Max - PRESS RELEASE - Posted on 09 September 2026

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max,...

10/09/2026

Apple unveils Apple\u00A0Watch Ultra\u00A04 - PRESS RELEASE - Posted on 09 September 2026

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced Apple Watch Ultra 4 - the ultimate ...

10/09/2026

Introducing Apple\u00A0Watch\u00A0Series\u00A012, with the all-new Health Sensing System - PRESS RELEASE - Posted on 09 September 2026

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced Apple Watch Series 12, engineered w...

10/09/2026

Will & Ralf Should Know Better recommissioned for a third series for U

The beloved duo are back with big challenges and even bigger laughs as they discover if you're ever truly too old to try something new. Previous praise for...

10/09/2026

Sky News Defence Insider app launches as new research reveals growing public concern about national security

Thursday 10 September 2026 Sky News Defence Insider app launches as new researc...

10/09/2026

Sky unveils gripping teaser for The Good Daughter, coming this November

Thursday 10 September 2026 Sky unveils gripping teaser for The Good Daughter, coming this NovemberTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy options a...

10/09/2026

Harmonic Leads the New Era of Broadband Connectivity at SCTE TechExpo 2026

Harmonic Leads the New Era of Broadband Connectivity at SCTE TechExpo 2026 Showcase Spotlights Include: New cOS SensAI intelligence fabric unleashing data-pow...

10/09/2026

RT Sign Ryder Cup Highlights Rights Ahead of Historic Return to Ireland

RT to Broadcast Amgen Irish Open free-to-air New multi-year agreement will see RT continue to bring the Amgen Irish Open to Irish audiences Ryder Cup hig...

10/09/2026

RT Prime Time report into the National Ambulance Service to air tonight

More than 30 women report allegations of sexual harassment, misogyny and bullying within National Ambulance Service Tonight on RT Prime Time, 9:35pm, RT One ...

10/09/2026

Visit the mythical island of Mrunglody in the new series of RT KIDS podcast and brand-new retro video game

Series 3 of Nero's Class begins Friday 11 September on RT Listen The third...

09/09/2026

Celemony Tonalic gains additional Paul Kleber upright bass

New parts aimed at hip-hop and pop productions The latest update to Celemony's innovative virtual session musician expands the collection of built-in in...

09/09/2026

Sonarworks Autumn Sale

Save up to 40% until 21 September 2026 Sonarworks are currently running their Autumn Sale, with discounts of up to 40% currently available across their rang...

09/09/2026

Bjooks Beat Gems to begin shipping

Upcoming title officially launches in September 2026 Bjooks' celebrations for this year's 909 Day will be welcome news amongst drum machine lovers, ...

09/09/2026

** MEDIA ALERT ** NARUTO Takes the Stage at New York Comic Con 2026

** MEDIA ALERT ** NARUTO Takes the Stage at New York Comic Con 2026 Special Panel to Feature Franchise News, First-look Footage and Appearances by Japanese ...

09/09/2026

Apple unveils iPhone\u00A0Duo - PRESS RELEASE - Posted on 09 September 2026

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced iPhone Duo, the first foldable iPhone. Opened, it is the thinnest iPhone ever, with a 7.6-inch inner display that p...

09/09/2026

Apple introduces AirPods 5 with best-in-class open-ear Active\u00A0Noise Cancellation - PRESS RELEASE - Posted on 09 September 2026

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced AirPods 5, delivering the industry&#...

09/09/2026

SES Inaugurates New Office in Chennai, Reinforcing Long-Term Commitment to India

Chennai/Luxembourg, 9 September 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, today announced the inauguration of its new office in Chennai, India, marking a s...

09/09/2026

Cinema Sunshine Becomes Japan's First Exhibitor to Adopt Dolby Vision+Atmos Theatrical Solution

September 9 2026, 22:35 (PDT) Cinema Sunshine Becomes Japan's First Exhibit...

09/09/2026

Tom Daley adds final stitch to giant Baa-Ewe tapestry celebrating Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

Wednesday 9 September 2026 Tom Daley adds final stitch to giant Baa-Ewe' t...

09/09/2026

Red Seat Ventures Integrates Barometer into Speakeasy to Maximize Podcast Revenue Across Audio Portfolio

Red Seat Ventures Integrates Barometer into Speakeasy to Maximize Podcast Revenu...

09/09/2026

Avid and FilmLight announce strategic partnership to reimagine the color pipeline for post production

Baselight-powered color comes natively to Media Composer, connecting creative de...

09/09/2026

Rain, hay or shine, RT is heading to The Ploughing

RT brings three packed days of live radio, entertainment, news, weather and fun Join RT Radio 1: Morning Ireland, Oliver Callan, Today with David McCullagh,...

08/09/2026

Sauceware Audio release Scorch 2

Built for rap producers, by rap producers Sauceware Audio, the independent plug-in company founded by Grammy-nominated producer Jacob (Travis Scott, 21 Sava...

08/09/2026

Warm Audio unveil the Jude preamps

Classic Sound Techniques design revived Warm Audio's latest release delivers a meticulous recreation of the preamp circuitry employed by the Sound Techn...

08/09/2026

XILS Lab introduce MemoryTone

Latest soft synth inspired by the Memorymoog XILS Lab have just launched a software instrument that draws its inspiration from Moog's iconic Memorymoog,...

08/09/2026

Soundcraft Introduces Signature Plus Series Analog Connected Mixing Consoles

September 08, 2026 NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Soundcraft today announced the launch of its Signature Plus Series Analog Connected Mixing Consoles. As the next genera...