By Paul Moakley
This weekend at the Oscars, cinematographer James Laxton is up for his first Academy Award for his work on the drama Moonlight. The film and its visuals developed from a deep collaboration with his college friend, screenwriter and director Barry Jenkins, that date back to when they met 17 years ago at Florida State University. Since that time the duo developed a very personal aesthetic their work inspired by fine art photography and indie cinema.
Laxton, who says he first started talking about this movie with Jenkins years ago, breaks down the anatomy of the film’s pivotal scenes and reveals the who inspired the distinct look of Moonlight.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Introducing the 2024 TIME100 Next
- The Reinvention of J.D. Vance
- How to Survive Election Season Without Losing Your Mind
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Scams
- Did the Pandemic Break Our Brains?
- The Many Lives of Jack Antonoff
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
Contact us at [email protected]