Clubhouse Conversations — A Complete Unknown

In this episode, cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, ASC, GSC is joined by interviewer Wally Pfister, ASC to discuss his work on A Complete Unknown — the biographical drama from director James Mangold that chronicles Bob Dylan’s transformative years as a folk musician and cultural icon.

A Complete Unknown follows 19-year-old Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) as he navigates 1960s New York — rising through the Greenwich Village folk scene, forming pivotal relationships with fellow artists while pushing his own creative limits, and making a daring choice that forever redefines American music. The film marks the sixth collaboration between Papamichael and Mangold, who first worked together on the acclaimed 2005 biopic Walk the Line.

In this interview, Papamichael discusses his inspiration for the film's Kodachrome-inspired aesthetic; collaborating with Panavision to craft custom anamorphic lenses for the production; how his use of the Sony Venice 2’s high-ASA capabilities helped capture the film's naturalistic night exteriors; his "fluid" approach to shooting live musical performances, and more.

Phedon Papamichael, ASC, GSC first began working as photojournalist in New York, and has since served as director of photography on over 40 features, including Sideways (2004), Walk the Line (2005), The Descendants (2011) and Ford v Ferrari (2019). He is a two-time Academy Award nominee for his cinematography on Nebraska (2013) and The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020).

Wally Pfister, ASC is a filmmaker whose cinematography credits include the Christopher Nolan features Batman Begins (2005), The Prestige (2006), The Dark Knight (2008) and Inception (2010). He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography for all of these works, winning one for Inception in 2011.

You’ll find all episodes in our ASC Clubhouse Conversations discussion series here.