Variety - August 01, 2022

30 Pages·2022·9.3 MB·English

Lead
Actor
MMMIIICCCHHHAAAEL KEATON
takes a powerful — and
personal — swing at TV.
By Emily Longeretta
4 ● EDITOR’S LETTER 08.01.2022
Simplicity for the Win
With this year’s race, the easier to consume, the better
As the list of Emmy nominees continues to get lon- any of the new programs will surpass the familiar
ger, there’s now physically no way to watch every feel of “Ted Lasso” or “Succession” in the end.
show nominated. Maybe that’s why the TV Academy Broadcast powerhouses were mostly overlooked;
only really homed in on the few they had watched. the final season of “This Is Us” landed a solo nomi-
“Succession” leads with 25 noms, while “Ted Lasso” nation for song, while Paramount Network’s pop-
and “The White Lotus,” earned 20 each — and it’s ular “Yellowstone” was completely shut out. Even
not that they’re not well-deserved. “Saturday Night Live,” which usually cleans house in
But in the supporting and guest categories, it the sketch categories, received only nine nominations.
seems as though TV Academy voters have only So, what do we tell viewers who notice the rat-
focused on certain shows and nominated every ings — Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” is one of the
possible person involved. For supporting drama top-watched on cable — and are confused about the
categories, “Succession” grabbed five slots while snubs? Well, it’s a good reminder of the massive num-
the supporting comedy categories are filled by six ber of shows that are much easier to catch up on. In
for “Ted Lasso,” while the guest categories are sim- the case of “Yellowstone,” a one-hour drama that’s
ilar — “Succession” filled seven slots while “Hacks” already four seasons in makes catching up extremely
took five. time-consuming.
There was a time when maybe this would make It’s also about simplicity. “Yellowstone” is not easy
sense — focusing on the shows that break through to find as many non-industry folk don’t realize the
and on the themes that transcend storytelling. But Peacock deal means it’s not actually available to
with so many excellent series with top production stream on Paramount+, where the nominated spinoff,
teams and talent behind and in front of the camera, “1883,” lives exclusively. Six different projects from
it seems strange not to spread the wealth. Paramount+ were nominated this year for a total of 11
Still, it’s the world we live in now; we’re recover- for the streaming service. Meanwhile, over at the NBC-
ing from the COVID-19 pandemic, so people, voters fronted platform, only one show snuck in: “Angelyne”
especially, are watching what they like, what they garnered three below-the-line noms. (NBC, mean-
know and what they know they like. Luckily, they’re while, fell to 28 noms total, down from 46 last year.)
giving a few new shows a try. In addition to “White So, is it just about voting for familiarity? This season,
B Y E M I LY LO N G E R E T TA Lotus,” rookies “Abbott Elementary,” “Yellowjackets,” it sure seems like it — if what you know isn’t on broad-
“Severance” and “Only Murders in the Building” cast. A bad timeslot is no longer to blame; a streamer
Senior TV Features Editor made an impact. Of course, the question is whether searching to add subs, on the other hand...
ki
als
er
p
o
D
n
a
D
by
h
p
a
gr
o
ot
h
P
Still, it’s the world we live in now; we’re recovering from the ge)
a
p
COVID-19 pandemic, so people, voters especially, are watching his
d t
what they like, what they know and what they know they like. an
er
Luckily, they’re giving a few new shows a try.” ov
C
(

6 ● VARIETY + 08.01.2022
B I Z B U Z Z
Fictional Tale Touches on Reality
Himesh Patel reflects on the crazy coincidence of HBO Max’s ‘Station Eleven’
By Hunter Ingram
Train rides have proven to be a Emmy nominations, including for on this meaning that we never the first time I saw what a crazy
mixed bag for Himesh Patel. writing, direction and score. thought it would, I’m still trying to coincidence this all was.”
In HBO Max’s Emmy-nominated Patel spoke to Somerville soon wrap my head around the coinci- The series largely skips the
limited series “Station Eleven,” after the news and wound up rem- dence of it all.” chaotic aftermath of its own pan-
Patel’s character, Jeevan Chaud- iniscing on just how long it took Patel got his first glimpse at demic, jumping two decades into
hary, is on an outbound Chicago them to get to this celebratory that relevance in October 2020, the future to explore what man-
train when his physician sister moment, having begun produc- watching a rough cut of the pilot. kind has done with its second
calls to inform him of a lethal virus tion in early 2020 before COVID As Jeevan’s sister wades through chance. Told through the voyages
seizing the city. It’s a sobering con- turned their fictional story into a traumatized hospital ER, the of a roving acting troupe, the show
versation — one made all the more a reality and shut them down for masks and the fear stoked by interrogates its own philosophy
surreal by real-world events — nearly a year. the fictional virus had become that choosing art and connection
that forever changes the course of “By the time we get to September, a more searing image than he over violence and division can and
Jeevan’s life. He heeds her warning Himesh Patel and we’re at the Emmys, it will be remembered. will be humanity’s saving grace.
received the only
to prepare for the worst, becom- going on three years since I first “I watched that scene and I got Despite that soulful center,
acting nomination
ing one of the few survivors left to flew to Los Angeles to audition for really emotional because it was everyone involved with “Station
for HBO Max’s
forge mankind’s future. “Station Eleven.” it,” Patel says. “Then for it to take just so striking,” he says. “It was Eleven” braced for the show to be
In a twist of fate, Patel was written off when it premiered in
aboard a train on Emmy nomi- December, just as another resur-
nations morning, headed to visit gent wave of COVID-19 forced
his parents in London, when his people back into their homes.
phone lit up with messages. This Fortunately, their nerves proved
time, good news was waiting. unfounded.
He had been nominated for lead “We were understanding if
actor in a limited series, the sole people didn’t want to come near
thespian among the ensemble to a show like this,” Patel says. “But we
be recognized. knew at its heart what the show
“I couldn’t exactly react the was and for people to recognize
way I would have if I had been at that as well really means a lot.
home because I was on a train,” he Ultimately this story tells us that
recalls with a grin. “It’s still sinking no matter what, as long as we’re
in really, but it sank in very slowly around, as long as there are a hand-
over the course of that hour and a ful of us around, we will find a way
ax
half train journey.” to survive. But survival isn’t just M
O
“Station Eleven,” created by staying alive. It is about thriving, HB
Patrick Somerville and based on connecting, performing, enriching on/
the book by Emily St. John Mandel, each other’s souls — and that all of Wats
surprised many in earning seven it is possible.” an
I

8 ● BIZ + BUZZ 08.01.2022
The Perfect
Duo Gets
Better
With ‘Only Murders,’
Martin Short and
Steve Martin sharpen
their comedic timing
By Michael Schneider
also loving their work as a child of work at making it look easy and Steve Martin, left, of the stage in Vegas. And Steve has
the ’80s.) Over the past few years, effortless. And the professional and Martin Short the razor-sharp timing that he
my kids have gotten to know level of consideration they give complement each lands in the most effortless way.
other on “Only
them as I’ve brought out “Three every moment, from script to Anyone who gets to see them right
Murders in the
Amigos” and “Father of the Bride” performing it on set to editing, I now feels lucky.”
Building.”
for family movie nights. cannot overstate the incredible But really what is helping both
And now, we have “Only Mur- treasured value I have found in Martin and Short in doing perhaps
ders in the Building” for every age partnership with them creatively. the deepest work of their careers is
range. How lucky are we to live in They work their asses off and they their inspired pairing with Gomez,
a time when we get to see the two come out and make it look easy who absolutely deserved an Emmy
pals, meshed with Selena Gomez, and breezy.” nomination alongside her co-stars.
doing some of the best work of That was completely on display Why does this unlikely trio work
AAWWAA RR DD SS CC II RR CC UU II TT their lengthy careers? a few weeks ago when my wife so well? Hoffman has a theory for
I had to ring up “Only Murders” and I attended a July 4th week- that as well.
One of the best things about peak executive producer John Hoff- end event at the Hollywood Bowl, “They let Selena Gomez find her
TV has been the room it has carved man to congratulate him on the featuring Martin, Short and the space within them,” Hoffman says.
out for our national treasures, show’s Emmy nomination haul, Los Angeles Philharmonic. The “And that speaks to everything
some of whom are doing their and also ask just what it’s like to comedians make light of their about the generosity of the way
best work ever. Folks that include write for these legends. ages — Martin is 76, Short is 72 they work. And also the recog-
Emmy nominees Henry Winker “I’m so excited to talk about it — and yet their energy on stage nition of a force coming at them
on “Barry” and Jean Smart on because that was, of course, my is incredible. that they weren’t necessarily
“Hacks,” of course. And then there first thought when joining the “It’s really something, and to expecting or predicting. They’re
are Emmy-nominated “Only Mur- show — ‘I’m dealing with two carry that off in the way that they challenged by her in the best way
ders in the Building” stars Steve national treasures. That’s a chal- do,” Hoffman says. “There’s no … I’ve been trying to put my fin-
u
Martin and Martin Short. lenge,’” he says. “I was confronted creakiness with these guys. I saw ger on the magic of the trio of this ul
H
The duo’s fandom spans several with these very open, very gen- them in Vegas a week before the show. And I’m like, well, ‘We’ve got orn/
generations. My parents grew up erous, very collaborative gen- Bowl, and that was the thing I came the two youngest spirits matched nh
e
with them on “SNL” and “SCTV.” tlemen. And their energy on the away with too. Marty is flying all up with the most elegant old soul nk
a
(To be fair, I was watching with set, the kindness they bring, the over the stage, and I can only imag- and neither of them reflect any of g Bl
them, perhaps inappropriately, humor … I get to see how hard they ine, the Bowl is quadruple the size their ages.’ ” Crai

10 ● CRAFTSWORK 08.01.2022
God of Steadicam
DP explains that complex one-shot sequence
By Jazz Tangcay
Autumn Durald Arkapaw made Mischief into a world inspired by was the time the team had to work
Variety’s 10 Cinematographers “Blade Runner 2049,” “Brazil” and on the scene in previz, discussing
to Watch list in 2014, and she just even “Seven.” concepts, influences and doing
landed her first Emmy nomination For the climactic ending of the test shots before bringing the
for lensing for a single-camera third episode, “Lamentis,” produc- actors in.
series for Disney+’s “Loki.” tion designer Kasra Farahani built “Both ‘John Wick’ and ‘Children
“Loki,” which earned six noms, the city of Shuroo. Loki and Sylvie of Men’ were influences for that “Loki” was street block a different UV color.
was her first foray into the comic (Sophia Di Martino) race through sequence,” says Arkapaw. “At Autumn Durald “When you turned the corner,
Arkapaw’s first
book realm. She met with direc- the streets as they search for a one point we wanted a motorcy- you felt like you got a different
Marvel film.
tor Kate Herron and the two getaway spaceship. As the frantic cle in there, that they would get emotional response to the color. I
immediately hit it off. The bonus chase played out, Arkapaw cap- on and jump off after, but that had never worked with UV paint,”
was that she already was a fan of tured the characters with a single made it complex. We wanted it to says Arkapaw.
Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of the tracking shot. feel humanistic.” The idea was that the light-
character. “If I was watching any- She says the sequence was Arkapaw used a Steadicam ing needed to feel emotional.
thing Marvel, he stands out. So, I one of the first she and Herron to pull off the one-shot, which Farahani incorporated hundreds
already had a love for his charac- had talked about, and their plan was several cuts but seamlessly of lights into the sets that could
ter,” she says. evolved as they got closer to woven together. It was Farahani be programmed. “We did a pre-
The series throws the God of shooting. The key to its success who had the idea of painting each light the week before shooting and
dialed in all the colors to see what
looked good on camera.”
The framing was just as import-
ant. At first, the cinematographer
tested the camera lens without the
actors. Panavision anamorphic was
her lens of choice — the company
expanded t-series anamorphic
lenses for her and she explored
35mm and 40mm lens options.
“We needed to fit two charac-
ters into the frame, but we also
needed to see the world, but you
don’t want to be too wide that you
can’t come in close on someone’s
face,” says Akapaw. “You don’t
want too long of a lens because
you don’t want the background
to be compressed.”
In the end, she found a sweet
spot between the two, and work- 2)
ing with Herron, VFX, Farahani, os (
di
everything came together to pull Stu
off the sequence seamlessly. el
Arkapaw used Up next, Akapaw delves deeper Marv
a Steadicam for into the world of Marvel. She is cin- ck/
the one-shot of ni
Tom Hiddleston ematopgrapher on “Black Panther: Zlot
and Sophia Di Wakanda Forever,” which is due ck
u
Martino in “Loki.” out later this year. h
C