Speaking at The Irish Film & Television Network (IFTN) recent event, Marvel's The Avengers Oscar-nominated cinematographer Seamus McGarvey further discussed his contribution to the highly-anticipated superhero specticle. Rehashing on the challanges of shooting the post-credits sequence of Thor in 3D, as an Avengers test, and why director Joss Whedon chose him, check out an interest tidbit he drops down below.
"We shot a little trailer for [The Avengers] that went out at the end of 'Thor' and we shot it in 3D. It was like pulling teeth. I just thought 'it has been lovely to shoot these two days but I'm going to get fired' because it took so long setting up each shot and the director was just going crazy. Not only that but Samuel L. Jackson & Stellan Skarsgard, who were in the piece, said 'if this is how the movie is going to be then we're not in'. It was that serious," he said.
"I think [I got the job] really because Joss didn't want some old DP who's done a million of these movies in the past coming around saying 'look this is how we do it'. So he wanted somebody who was probably as hungry for it as he was and I think that's why he got me involved. I was very very keen to be involved, and I'm keen to learn." McGarvey also reveals he took a three-week crash course in 3D admitting it was "terrifying", but helpful in the long run.
"For me it was a different challenge. Normally I work in a very visceral, down to earth way, and everything that is in front of me gets photographed. What was really exciting about the 'Avengers Assemble', especially seeing it last night in the premiere, was just this whole new world revealed to me that had been created in computers and visual effects. The notion that there's a fellow cinematographer working alongside you, namely the visual effects supervisor, who's enhancing and embellishing the drama with photo-real effects is really enjoyable," said McGarvey.
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”--the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, & directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble on May 4, 2012. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. In addition to "Marvel's The Avengers," Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Iron Man 3" on May 3, 2013!; and “Thor 2” on November 15, 2013.