Shabier Kirchner is 2021’s winner of the photography and lighting: fiction BAFTA, an award sponsored by the High-end TV Skills Fund. He talks to producer Marcus Wilson about the craft of cinematography, his personal pathway into the industry and his work on Steve McQueen’s award-winning production Small Axe.
He is later joined by gaffer Ian Glenister (Small Axe, Rocks) with whom he worked closely on the production. They look back at their favourite parts of the shoot and share some of the things they have learned as they progressed in the screen industries.
Question they answer include:
0:00 – Introduction
1:48 – What does the role of cinematographer mean to you?
3:34 – What first attracted you to working in the camera department?
5:10 – What route did you take to enter the camera department?
12:06 – How do you prepare for a meeting such as the one you had about Small Axe?
13:41 – At what point did you get involved in Small Axe?
15:24 – Do you think your outsider perspective helped you with taking on a story like Small Axe?
17:30 – Do you prep a lot before you start shooting or is your process more organic?
21:39 – Of the five films, do you have a favourite in terms of the media you use?
25:16 – How do you interact with the rest of the department?
27:23 – Can you tell us about the gaffer’s role on production?
31:58 – How do you react when the plan goes wrong?
35:21 – Do you have a favourite moment in one of the five films?
37:25 – What are you doing next?
40:08 – What is the most important thing you have learned in your career?
41:44 – Did you ever feel Sean Bobbitt’s influence while working on Small Axe?
42:49 – What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the industry?
45:38 – Do you try to keep the same crew together from job to job, or do you like to mix it up?
46:57 – How did you start working together?
About the speakers
Shabier Kirchner, born and raised in Antigua and Barbuda, travels the world as cinematographer and was selected as one of the 10 Cinematographers to Watch by Variety (April 2018). His credits include Small Axe, Bull, Only You, Skate Kitchen, Sollers Point and Wendy. He has also worked on commercials and music videos and additionally shoots his own works at home. Dadli (2018) was Shabier’s first work as director/DP.
Ian Glenister is a gaffer with credits on production including Small Axe, Rocks, Deep State and Traitors. He also worked for the BBC for ten years, before leaving in 2000 to work as a freelance electrician.
Marcus Wilson is an experienced drama producer and has joined Two Rivers as head of drama to grow its drama slate. Having joined from acclaimed indie Fifty Fathoms Productions, Wilson’s executive producer credits include: Luther, The A Word and The Worst Witch. His producer credits include Doctor Who, Whitechapel, Our Zoo, The A Word, Luther, Taggart and, as co-producer, Life on Mars.
About the event
This is a recording of an online event that took place on 2 June 2021. It was introduced by ScreenSkills’ marketing and communications manager Natalie Tandoh and supported by the High-end TV Skills Fund.
Further careers information
Read our job profiles on being a cinematographer (also known as director of photography) and gaffer in film and TV drama.