Clubhouse Conversations — Joker: Folie à Deux

In this episode, cinematographer Lawrence Sher, ASC is joined by interviewer Patrick Cady, ASC to discuss his work on the musical crime drama Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips.

Joker: Folie à Deux follows failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) as he finds the love of his life, Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga), while incarcerated in a lunatic asylum.

In this interview, Sher discusses integrating practical effects and hand-painted backdrops with virtual-production techniques to create immersive environments; blending improvisational, jazz-like cinematography with precise framing; the challenges of capturing dynamic lighting shifts; working with the lead actors to explore their characters in real time; creating limitations to guide creative decisions, and the joys and technical complexities of the project.

Editor’s note: In-depth coverage of Joker: Folie à Deux appears in American Cinematographer’s December 2024 issue.

Lawrence Sher, ASC is a cinematographer whose features include Joker, for which he won a Camerimage Golden Frog and received Academy and ASC award nominations, The Hangover and Garden State.

Patrick Cady, ASC is a cinematographer whose credits include the series Bosch, The Code, Insecure and Rectify and the features Paint, Looking Glass and Girlfight.

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