DP Mullin turns to Fujinon cine-style lenses for ‘This Man’s Life’

DP Marty Mullin deployed a pair of Fujinon HD lenses for the independent short "This Man’s Life."

Mullin equipped his Panasonic (HD) Varicam with a selection of Fujinon lenses, including the HAe5X6 (E series Cine Zoom 6mm-30mm) and the HAc15X7.3 (C Series Zoom 7.3mm-110mm).

Produced by Orlando-based Stars North, the film stars actors Michael Rooker and Bill Cobbs. It is currently in post production, being readied for the international film festival circuit.

"This Man’s Life" tells the story of a doctor who is traveling home by train to claim his inheritance after his father’s death. Most of the film takes place from within a moving train. The film’s writer, Todd Thompson who also produced and directed the film, chose a unique narrative approach. The story’s flashback sequences never leave the interior of the train car.

This method of storytelling presented many production challenges. A small dolly barely fit down the aisle. With principle actors, 65 extras, crew and equipment, Mullin had to shoot in extremely cramped spaces and had to climb over people and seats to get the angle he wanted.

But, according to Mullin, lighting the tiny train car presented the most difficult challenge; however, because the Fujinon lenses “were fast” and “transmitted more light,” Mullin needed fewer lights than normally would be necessary for a shooting environment like a train car.

For more information, visit www.starsnorth.com and www.fujinon.com.