OCMS: With such a visually distinctive film how did you balance capturing the look of the film while infusing your own creative interpretations?
CE: My portraits are really a testament to the great work of casting directors, costume designers, hair and make-up artists, etc. I simply framed them and captured a fleeting moment between us. Portraits are a lovely way to see and experience a place. It’s just something I love to do and I wouldn’t be being honest with myself if I didn’t make them on set.
OCMS: How many days were you on set?
CE: I was on set for all 106 days of shooting.
OCMS: As a follow up how much time pre and post filming did you have for the project?
CE: I was there for 3 weeks prior to shooting and things were already well underway. I stayed until the filming wrapped. Then there was another year of post-production but I only came to visit those folks. Not to take pictures.
OCMS: With your character portraits, what did you attempt to capture about each character and did you have a favorite?
CE: I simply captured the world of watchmen in the context of the filming of watchmen. It’s a somewhat convoluted thing to have cast and crew mixed together. Just as the graphic novel blurs lines between fiction and reality, so to did my portrait efforts. I don’t give a lot of instruction so if someone wanted to assume character I’d treat them the same was as someone just standing there with some gear in their hands. It’s an artistic document and interpretation of the film version of Watchmen.
OCMS: What does black and white photography offer as opposed to color in your opinion?
CE: It moves the viewer into a more critical space. It is coded with authenticity while more easily inhabiting the deeper imagination. There’s something remarkably timeless about black and white photographs. I just love it and took all of the portraits with that in mind.
OCMS: Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently and if so what?
CE: I wish I’d known just how hard and time consuming filmmaking is. I didn’t talk to any of my friends outside Watchmen for 5 months. I was eating sleeping breathing watchmen. It was really an amazing amount of work. I’m glad I spent that time on something of such merit. A romantic comedy just wouldn’t have been worth the effort.
OCMS: What projects do you have upcoming?
CE: I’ll be working on Zack’s next project, Sucker Punch. Until then, I hope to find work that is equally stimulating and meaningful.
OCMS: Thank you,
CE: Thank you!
For more information on Clay, please visit his site at http://www.clayenos.com
