Written and directed by Sean Durkin, the feature film The Iron Claw shines a light on the tragedies and triumphs of the Von Erichs, a real-life family of professional wrestlers who brought signature style to the sport in the early 1980s. For cinematographer M ty s Erd ly, HCA, the project offered his first opportunity to shoot an American feature, and he chose to shoot the story on 35mm film with Primo optics, working with a package sourced through Panavision New Orleans. Panavision recently caught up with Erd ly for the cinematographer's reflections on the production.
Panavision: How would you describe the look of The Iron Claw?
M ty s Erd ly, HCA: Sean and I believe that it is unnecessary to create a look' by forcing certain ingredients. We believe that the production design, locations, wardrobe, props, etc., will create a world that is true to the film. This combined with shooting on film and lighting mainly with tungsten units was our approach. These elements serve the story in an organic way, and the combination of these elements became the look. So my description of the film would be that it is very raw and organic, definitely not too stylized, and very simple in its approach.
Were there any particular visual references you looked at for inspiration?
Erd ly: There were many references for minor details, but we usually dont use overall references for a film. Sean and production designer James Price compiled an extensive library of references for the real locations like the Sportatorium and for wardrobe. We tried to stay close to the reality of the Von Erichs' world but also felt free to elevate or deviate from reality when it felt necessary.
What drew you to use Primo optics and the Panflex Millennium XL2 camera?
Erd ly: I've always had a very romantic relationship with everything Panavision. Growing up in Hungary, and reading American Cinematographer and looking at my heroes, using Panavision was constantly on my mind. When Sean and I first started to talk about The Iron Claw, I immediately suggested that this film needs to feel American,' and Panavision glass especially a classic like the Primos represents something very American for me in a romantic way. We tested the Primos, and we both felt they were the right choice for this film.
The camera body obviously is not affecting the image [when shooting film], but we needed something that is flexible and quiet enough to shoot sync sound. We also carried an Arri 235, which we used as an action cam' and was extremely useful for the fight scenes.
How does this project differ from others in your career?
Erd ly: This was my first real American film. We were so lucky to have an amazing cast and crew and producers who gave us full creative freedom, which I believe is the most important thing to be able to make something that is truly personal and because of that can turn into something universally engaging.
The Iron Claw is a film that immerses the audience in a world that was very alien for me before we started our discussions in preproduction. I was given the opportunity to immerse myself in it and allowed to shoot this world with an outsiders approach. I was constantly shocked and surprised in a great way and I feel it kept the photography fresh at all times.
What inspired you to become a cinematographer, and what keeps you inspired today?
Erd ly: I had this realization when I was about 16 years old that cinematography is something that combines everything I was interested in. Photography, literature, technology, theater, painting, architecture and even dance. It is such a complex experience to make a movie, and the fact that we are surrounded by our crew who have way more experience than us allows us to always learn. It is the best job there is!
Stories inspire me. Important stories that allow us to learn about human behavior and, in an ideal world, to become better or at least more empathetic human beings.
Behind-the-scenes photos by Devin Oktar Yalkin. All images courtesy of A24.
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...
Written and directed by Sean Durkin, the feature film The Iron Claw shines a light on the tragedies and triumphs of the Von Erichs, a real-life family of professional wrestlers who brought signature style to the sport in the early 1980s. For cinematographer M ty s Erd ly, HCA, the project offered his first opportunity to shoot an American feature, and he chose to shoot the story on 35mm film with Primo optics, working with a package sourced through Panavision New Orleans. Panavision recently caught up with Erd ly for the cinematographer's reflections on the production.
