On SonyCine, AbelCine’s Megan Donnelly talks with cinematographer Ellen Kuras, ASC (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Betrayal) about how she used the Sony VENICE on David Byrne’s American Utopia.
“I always have been choosy about the kind of projects that I’ve done,” Kuras says in her interview with Donnelly, where the cinematographer discusses what drew her to participate in bringing the Talking Head frontman’s acclaimed theatrical concert to HBO. She also appreciates the relatively small form factor of the Sony VENICE, which she had previously used while shoot a project on the streets of New York City with Martin Scorsese and Fran Leibowitz. “I really liked the personality of the VENICE,” she comments.
Watch the video below to see the full interview:
David Byrne’s American Utopia brings the critically acclaimed Broadway show to HBO in a one-of-a-kind film directed by Oscar and Emmy winner Spike Lee. Recorded during its run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City, David Byrne is joined by an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe, inviting audiences into a joyous dreamworld where human connection, self-evolution, and social justice are paramount. David Byrne’s American Utopia is now streaming on HBO Max.
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, “David Byrne’s American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe. 
Shot on a bare stage with a fully mobile band, David Byrne’s “American Utopia” presents the Talking Heads frontman’s classic songs with an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers and dancers gathered from around the globe.