Cinematographer Quote by Peter Weir
“Sixty-five days principle photography, five-day weeks, which is the only way I'll work. With my cinematographer Russell Boyd, we take as much time as possible before pre-production, looking at stills. The next most important thing: he will come to me and talk about lenses. And I'll see his plan, which is generally great, and I might talk about how the light will be, handheld or not? I talk very freely, and try not to talk specifically, just talk around it, because it can unlock all sorts of things.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Conversation with Peter Weir, 2015
He emphasizes extensive pre‑production planning, using stills and lens discussions to spark creative ideas before filming begins.
In simple terms: Plan early, discuss visuals, let ideas emerge organically.
Key Takeaway
Invest time in pre‑production to unlock creative possibilities.
Themes
filmmaking
collaboration
pre‑production
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
inspired
Type
practical
process‑oriented
When to use this quote
- film development
- director‑cinematographer meetings
- conceptual design
- lighting decisions
Key Concepts
visual storytelling
cinematography
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How does early visual planning affect the final film?
- What balance of structure and freedom yields the best creative outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Too much discussion can stall decisive action; balance openness with clear direction.
![“I've kept the people who've been in my career who I feel are my family. Kathy [Kennedy] had been with me since 1978. Janusz Kaminsky, my cinematographer, has made every movie with me since Schindler's List. Michael Kahn has cut every movie I've directed since 1976 when we made Close Encounters…” quote by Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/521/steven-spielberg-963_careers_i-ve-kept-the-people-who-ve-been-in-my-c_71893.jpg)
