ON SET

Photos: I Origins: Behind the Scenes

Writer-director Mike Cahill discusses his new film.


Astrid Berges-Frisbey in I Origins
1

Michael and Astrid in Bushwick, Brooklyn NY. We shot with two RED cameras simultaneously to capture the spontaneity of their screen chemistry.

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.

2

Subway filming. A real NYC train does wonders for authenticity. I had heard Darren Aronofsky, his DP Matt Libatique, and Natalie Portman stole subway shots for Black Swan, so we hopped on an empty J train in Brooklyn early one Sunday morning and took over an entire car along with 30 extras. Everyone in the car was on our team except for one guy who decided to sit down right next to Michael Pitt and take a nap.

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.

3

Michael and Astrid at La Esquina, a great spot in Williamsburg. The work of our costume designer Megan Gray is wonderful; note Sofi’s orange and blue combo. The wardrobe has such a textured and authentic feel.

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.

4

Makeup artist Jennifer Fleming, sound mixer Kyle Porter (slightly obscured), and costume designer Megan Gray applyt finishing touches to Astrid at Brooklyn Borough Hall before Sofi marries Ian. The wedding dress, designed by Megan, was inspired by a white peacock that has special significance for Sofi.

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.

5

Michael, Astrid, and I joke around between takes of the wedding scene at Brooklyn Borough Hall. We blasted The White Stripes’ Hotel Yorba before each take, right up to the moment I called “action.”

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.

6

Brit and me in our mice room at Rockefeller University, which had an empty lab that our production designer Tania Biljani magically transformed into the real deal. One thing I love about Brit as an actor is that she’s so deft with subtext; while her character Karen may be speaking complex scientific jargon, the real romance is right beneath the surface. Also, little secret: this room actually has no mice—it’s amazing what a few close-ups and great sound design will have you believe.

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.

7

In the Okhla market in Delhi, India, preparing to shoot the scene where Salomina (Kashish) and Ian meet. The scene starts with a wide shot 50 feet in the air, then drops down, moves 360 degrees all the way around Michael Pitt, slowly zooming in the whole time, and then across the market toward Kashish, ending on an extreme close up of her eyes. Our DP Aishwarya’s room for error was about 3 millimeters. It was difficult, but the impact of the scene was worth it.

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.

8

Archie Panjabi and Michael Pitt alongside our crew on a Delhi street. Archie brought so much wisdom and light, as well as a rich backstory, to her performance.

Photo by Jelena Vukotic; Copyright 2014 Twentieth Century Fox.