Espen Olsen: Crafting Stories Through the Lens
Espen Olsen is a Norwegian cinematographer with over a decade of experience. His extensive portfolio includes an array of television shows, documentaries, fashion films, music videos, and commercials for leading brands in Norway. At the beginning of this year, Espen signed with The Hong Kong Fixer for Asia representation, marking a notable step in his international career. Today, we explore Espen's journey into the film industry and how he masterfully uses his camera to bring stories to life.
The Early Days
Olsen’s fascination with filmmaking started at age 10 when his father gifted the family a video camera for Christmas. Early experiments in capturing schoolyard antics and projects turned into a serious hobby by age 14 when he spent his savings on editing software and began crafting elaborate school projects. These formative years laid the foundation for his future in cinematography. After high school, Olsen honed his skills as an apprentice at a local TV station, gaining hands-on experience in a challenging environment. This role, coupled with his later education at film school in Oslo, solidified his expertise and made him realise that cinematography was the career he wanted to pursue.
Collaboration and Technique
Olsen’s approach to each project begins with understanding the director’s vision. He plays a pivotal role in translating narrative elements into visual reality by carefully selecting cameras, lenses, and lighting. For instance, the choice of lens and opting to focus tighter on a character's face can create a powerful emotional impact on the audience, leaving a more lasting impression. Additionally, he brings fresh ideas and challenges the director creatively, whether that is by suggesting a one-take shot for a scene or employing a crane or dolly for dynamic movement. These contributions are just a few examples of Espen’s deep understanding of how to visually enhance a story.
Balancing Narrative and Technology
Olsen believes that the essence of great cinematography lies in seamlessly blending narrative and technical skills. Both aspects are important, but mastering both is crucial, he says. He emphasises that the story is paramount—great storytelling can shine even with poor equipment, but THE BEST GEAR CAN’T SAVE A BAD STORY. However, the right equipment can elevate a good story. Achieving the perfect visual style requires close collaboration with directors, ensuring every technical choice serves the narrative. Balancing the story, available time, and the correct gear is essential. Olsen notes that overemphasising or neglecting any of these elements can lead to pitfalls. For example, investing heavily in a steadicam might be brilliant or disastrous, depending on the project's needs. This intricate balance is what truly fascinates him.
Bending the “Rules”
Espen is captivated by the rules of filmmaking, such as the golden ratio and light direction. However, he believes in bending these rules when they serve the story. This creative flexibility, combined with years of experience, enables him to capture scenes that enhance the narrative instinctively. Elements like lighting, colour, and composition are not mere technical details but are integral to crafting a compelling visual story.
Influences
Olsen draws inspiration from Michael Haneke’s Funny Games. After his first viewing, he recalls feeling deeply annoyed but has since come to appreciate and love the film for its bold and controversial creative choices. Technically, Espen is influenced by the precise handheld camerawork of Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant and Children of Men) and the innovative style of Norwegian cinematographer Alvilde Naterstad. In his work, Espen finds versatility and value in equipment like the Canon R5C 8K, which he recently used for a documentary project. Despite its limitations, the R5C's ability to shoot in 8K RAW and its portability made it an ideal choice for a lightweight, travel-friendly setup.
(L) Hongqi Commercial - Director - Christian Schussler and (R) Mambo Babalú Music Video - Director - Ray Kay
Espen Olsen’s journey from a young filmmaker with a family camera to a seasoned cinematographer is a testament to his dedication and skill. His work reflects a deep commitment to visual storytelling, blending technical expertise with a sincere understanding of narrative, creating films that captivate and resonate with audiences.