Clubhouse Conversations - Nickel Boys

Set in Jim Crow-era Florida, Nickel Boys follows Elwood (Ethan Herisse), a bright and idealistic teen whose life takes a harrowing turn when he is sent to a segregated reform school. There, he bonds with the cynical and street-smart Turner (Brandon Wilson) as they navigate the brutality of their surroundings. The film is directed by Oscar-nominated documentarian RaMell Ross, who is making his narrative-feature debut, and shot by Jomo Fray.

In this interview, Fray and Medencevic discuss developing the film’s immersive visual language; crafting “ascension images” to convey emotional perspectives; using reflections to reveal subtle narrative and emotional details; how collaborating with Ross led to bold experimentation and a fresh approach to cinematography; creating naturalistic moves with the Sony Venice camera, and more.

Jomo Fray is a cinematographer whose feature credits include All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Selah and the Spades and Port Authority. He was named an American Cinematographer Rising Star of Cinematography in 2022.

Suki Medenčević, ASC, ASBiH, SAS is a cinematographer whose credits include the Camerimage Golden Frog nominee The Great Water and the series The Big Cigar, Shining Vale and Surfside Girls.

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