Greta Gerwig’s debut feature captures the aura of being a teenage girl growing up at the turn-of-the-century in Sacramento, CA. The film follows Christine“Lady Bird” McPherson’s (Saoirse Ronan)struggles at her private high school and her tumultuous relationship with her strong willed mother. Cinematographer Sam Levy and gaffer Jerry Mundy were able to visually emulate the love-hate relationship Christine has with her hometown, Sacramento, which she often refers to as “the mid-west of California.”
Mundy used LiteMats for many interior and exterior shots, including the backdrop of Lady Bird’s high school musicals, where they were heavily utilized. “We also used LiteMats for keys and above camera fills,” says Mundy. “Sometimes even as ceiling bounce for the spread and direction, which was achievable because the LiteMats have the output.” Mundy also used LiteRibbon for car interior shots. He adds, “We could just hide ribbon at the perfect angle to make it beautiful and have the correct levels to make it real.”
Lady Birdis currently in theaters, and is nominated for (5) Academy Awards.