Oscar nominated cinematographer Michael Bauman has lived almost every corner of the lighting department, from best boy to gaffer to director of photography, shaping some of the most iconic imagery in modern cinema. At the centre of this conversation is One Battle After Another, the film that marks a defining chapter in his journey behind the camera and a turning point in his creative evolution.
Michael reflects on decades of collaboration with filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Janusz Kaminski and Robert Elswit, unpacking how trust and visual language develop over time. He shares the path from lighting cameraman to cinematographer, and how years spent shaping light ultimately prepared him to step into the role on One Battle After Another.
The episode dives deep into craft, from the intensity of large scale productions such as Munich and Iron Man to the raw, seventies inspired aesthetic that influenced his recent work. Michael breaks down lighting philosophy, problem solving at the highest level and why storytelling always drives the technical choices behind the lens.
Hosted and edited by Josh Calder. Produced by Deb Van Dieren. Powered by Sony technology.
