July 2025
Shooting Happy Gilmore 2: A Cinematographer’s First Swing at Comedy
Happy Gilmore 2 marked my first experience shooting a full-blown comedy, and admittedly, I stepped onto the set with a healthy dose of uncertainty. My previous work was deeply rooted in dramatic storytelling, where the visual language often carries a different weight. Comedy, I quickly realized, dances to its own rhythm — not only in the performances and pacing, but visually, as well. I found myself asking, "What should a modern take on Happy Gilmore even look like?" The answer didn't present itself immediately — it required some exploration. Cinematographer Zak Mulligan (middle) prepares for a shot on the set of Happy Gilmore 2. In prep, I turned to recent films for inspiration and found something striking in Barbie, shot by Rodrigo...more
