THINK WARM

cast throwing themselves into a creek at night. Shallow, murky waters are scouted but soon we realize the inevitable: We have to build our own creek to control the water’s quality and temperature. A 30-foot-by-10-foot hole is dug. On the night we have to shoot the scene, it is a freezing 25 degrees. To make it possible for the actors to do this scene on this night, the water temperature has to be around 80 degrees.

By the time we’re ready to roll the cameras, steam is billowing from the water. Is it realistic? No. Does it strengthen the desperate feel of the scene? Yes. Is it beautiful like in a Tarkovsky film? Yes! Can I or anyone take credit? Not really, but it helps us forget those other moments that could have been so beautiful if the weather gods had been on our side.

-- Rogier Stoffers

Cinematographer, “The Secret Life of Bees”