Clubhouse Conversations — Wicked: For Good

In-depth coverage of cinematographer Alice Brooks, ASC's work on Wicked: For Good is featured in American Cinematographer's December 2025 issue. Learn more here about how to subscribe to the industry's leading journal of motion-picture production techniques.

In this episode, cinematographer Alice Brooks, ASC and director Jon M. Chu are joined by interviewer Caleb Deschanel, ASC to discuss their work on Wicked: For Good — the conclusion to their two-part feature adaptation of the acclaimed stage musical Wicked.

Wicked: For Good explores the fateful split between best friends Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) — the former embracing her newfound identity as the Wicked Witch and the latter taking up the mantle of the "Good" Witch of Oz. The film marks the fourth feature collaboration between Brooks and Chu, following their work together on Jem and the Holograms, In the Heights and Wicked.

More on Wicked and Wicked: For Good

Alice Brooks, ASC Shares 131 Pages of Wicked: For Good Production Photo Journal "Finding Oz"

Brooks Breaks Down the Making of the First Film on Clubhouse Conversations [Video]

Conversation Highlights

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

• Designing and shooting both Wicked films simultaneously across 17 soundstages in London
• Integrating lighting directly into sets, such as the Wizard of Oz's 45' throne room
• Choreographing live-sung musical numbers with real-time lighting cues
• The tools and techniques employed to craft Wicked: For Good's "Girl in the Bubble" and "For Good" sequences
• Imbuing the film with a "handmade" look that balances spectacle and intimacy

Alice Brooks, ASC is a cinematographer whose feature credits include tick, tick… BOOM!, In the Heights and Wicked.

Jon M. Chu is a filmmaker whose directing credits include Step Up 2: The Streets, Step Up 3D, Crazy Rich Asians, Wicked, In the Heights, and Wicked.

Caleb Deschanel, ASC is a cinematographer whose feature credits include The Right Stuff (1983), The Natural (1984), National Treasure (2004), Jack Reacher (2012), and The Lion King (2019).

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

Unit stills by Giles Keyte. Images courtesy of Universal Pictures.