Clubhouse Conversations — The Testament of Ann Lee

In this episode, cinematographer William Rexer, ASC is joined by interviewer Tari Segal, ASC to discuss his work on The Testament of Ann Lee — an historical musical drama from director Mona Fastvold that examines the life of the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century.

The Testament of Ann Lee charts the radical religious journey of Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried), an England-born woman who envisioned and established the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing — a religious sect that became widely known in America as the Shakers, due to their ecstatic manner of worship and Quaker roots. The film marks the third for director Mona Fastvold, who co-wrote the screenplay with creative partner Brady Corbet; Fastvold and Corbet's previous feature, The Brutalist, won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Cinematography (Lol Crawley, ASC, BSC) earlier this year.

Watch: Lol Crawley, ASC, BSC Breaks Down His Cinematography For The Brutalist [Video]

Conversation Highlights

Rexer's conversation with Segal explores a range of strategies, as well as the creative and practical challenges they encountered, including:

• How he and Fastvold drew inspiration from Caravaggio and works of Baroque art to create the film's neorealist period aesthetic
• Shooting on 35mm film at 320 ISO to preserve natural blacks and candlelit tones
• Capturing especially intimate character moments, such as a birthing scene, via handheld moves
• Designing and executing a pivotal fire sequence on location in Hungary
• Carrying out the production's exacting workflow, which included choreography rehearsals, lens tests and nightly dailies screenings, all of which helped create the film's dreamlike feel

William Rexer, ASC is a cinematographer whose credits include the series The Crowded Room, Halston, Hunters and The Loudest Voice, as well as the features Under Blue Suburban Skies, Friends with Kids, Ceremony, Prime and Fierce People. His documentary work includes Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold, The Promise and the Grammy Award-winning Wings for Wheels: The Making of “Born to Run.” He received an Emmy nomination for his work on The Trials of Darryl Hunt.

Tari Segal, ASC is a cinematographer whose credits include the series Long Bright River, Chicago Fire and Chicago Justice. She became an ASC member in 2025.

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

Images courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.