The Cinematography Podcast Episode 318: Michael Dallatorre

In the film Locked, cinematographer Michael Dallatorre faced a unique challenge: how to make a story primarily set inside a luxury SUV visually compelling. The plot follows small-time criminal Eddie (Bill Skarsgård) as he breaks into a high-tech vehicle, only to find himself trapped in an elaborate psychological game orchestrated by the car's vengeful owner, William (Anthony Hopkins).

Mike collaborated closely with director David Yarovesky, aiming for intentional camera work that would immerse the audience inside the enclosed space without resorting to distorted wide-angle lenses. Together with Dan Sasaki at Panavision, they developed a custom anamorphic lens that could focus within 14 inches of the subject, as well as specialized probe and periscope lenses. These tools were crucial for capturing intimate shots within the car's tight interior.

One of the movie's most memorable sequences is a 360-degree spinning shot around the car as Eddie is first locked inside. To execute this complex shot, Mike worked with production designer Grant Armstrong, who engineered a vehicle with flyaway side panels that could slide off on tracks as the camera circled.

Before filming, the team rehearsed with Bill Skarsgård in a rental SUV to nail down the character's movements. For the camera choreography, Mike created a model in Unreal Engine, a 3D creation tool, to build a previs of the sequence. This allowed him to demonstrate their plans to Yarovesky and the producers. After perfecting the camera rigging and movements, they dedicated an entire day to choreographing and shooting the scene. "It's definitely one of my proudest shots," Mike says. "From inception to full execution and everything, it's just so cool to be able to do something like that, and then it happens."

While much of Locked was shot on a set, not all effects relied on green screens. On-location scenes were incorporated when essential to the script, and driving shots were achieved using a process trailer. During pre-production, Mike and Yarovesky carefully determined the importance of physical locations for each scene. If a real-world setting wasn't crucial to the narrative, Yarovesky opted for the soundstage, a decision often driven by the film's independent budget. "We shot about five days at a parking lot," Mike explains. "We shot pieces of scenes, and I had my light meter and I measured. Scene 45, the sun's at this position. Here's the temp. Here's the intensity from the fill side. Here's the intensity from the negative side. And then I could recreate that on set."

To make the set feel less like a constant green screen environment, they embraced older filmmaking techniques. Production designer Armstrong created realistic printed backdrops, both cycloramas and translights, which were placed outside the car windows. The integration into the set ensured that the green screen shots appeared seamless and natural.

If you're interested in exploring Unreal Engine, Mike suggests trying a plugin for Unreal by Matt Workman called Cine Designer.

Locked is available to purchase on VOD.

Find Michael Dallatorre: Instagram: @dpmiked

Hear our previous interviews with Mike Dallatorre



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