Capturing Glory: Cinematographer Justin Ivan Hong Illuminates Oscar Victories Backstage
- By Meredith Roman
- Mar 12, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 1
2024 Oscar Winners (Clockwise From Top Left): Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas, Finneas and Billie Eilish
While millions around the globe watch the glittering spectacle of the Academy Awards, witnessing history unfold with each golden statuette presented, a crucial, yet often unseen, piece of cinematic magic happens just moments later. As each triumphant winner exits the main stage, they are ushered into a designated backstage area for a brief, intimate moment captured by a dedicated team. For the 96th Academy Awards, this pivotal task fell to acclaimed Cinematographer Justin Ivan Hong and his crew, a challenge that demanded not just technical mastery, but an almost telepathic understanding of human emotion under immense pressure.
Filming for the Oscars is, in essence, filming for one's peers—the very best in the global film industry. Every lens choice, every lighting decision, every subtle camera movement is under the invisible scrutiny of an audience that understands the craft intimately. For Hong, whose philosophy as a Cinematographer centers on the transformative power of visual storytelling, this was a crucible of excellence. The goal was not merely to record a moment, but to distill the raw, unadulterated essence of victory, relief, and profound gratitude into a single, unrepeatable take.
"Working with Justin is always a masterclass in visual storytelling, but seeing him navigate the Oscars backstage was truly inspiring," praised director Justin Chandra.
"He understands how to make a single frame speak volumes, and that's precisely what those winner videos needed – an immediate, authentic connection."
The Symphony of Preparation: Meticulous Planning for a Fleeting Moment
The "winner's video portrait" is a deceptively simple concept that requires weeks, sometimes months, of meticulous planning. For Hong, in his role as Director of Photography, and his team, the process began long before the red carpet was rolled out.
Location Scouting & Setup: The designated filming area backstage is often a compact space, requiring ingenious solutions to create a visually appealing experience. As the Cinematographer, Hong had meticulously scouted this area, analyzing its dimensions and power access and worked closely with Production Designer Kelly Fallon to find creative solutions. The goal was to create a consistent, flattering environment that would work for any winner, regardless of their height, attire, or the time of night.
Lighting Design: Light is a Cinematographer's primary tool for sculpting emotion. For the Oscars winner's video, the lighting setup had to be perfect and adaptable. Hong's approach involved a blend of soft, diffused sources to flatter skin tones and minimize harsh shadows, ensuring every winner looked their best under the intense emotional spotlight. This isn't about complex, dramatic lighting, but about achieving a clean, elegant, and universally appealing illumination that highlights the genuine emotion of the moment. Rehearsals involved stand-ins, testing various skin tones, movements, and outfits to guarantee consistency.
Camera & Lens Selection: Reliability and pristine image quality are non-negotiable. Hong chose top-tier cinema cameras known for their robust performance and exceptional dynamic range. Lenses were selected for their ability to capture intimacy without distortion, ensuring a natural and authentic portrayal of the winner's reaction. Every piece of equipment was rigorously tested, with backups at the ready, because there are no second takes when an Oscar winner walks off stage.
Team Synchronization: A small, highly synchronized crew is essential. Each member – from the 1st AC ensuring focus, to the gaffer finessing the light – operates with precision and silent communication. Hundreds of dry runs, with stand-ins mimicking the unpredictable movements of an overwhelmed winner, build the muscle memory necessary for a moment that allows no retakes. Contingency plans for every conceivable technical glitch or unexpected movement are ingrained.
"Justin's ability to maintain a perfectly composed shot, regardless of the chaos, is unparalleled," noted production designer Kelly Fallon. "He's not just framing a person; he's framing an entire experience. For the Oscars, where every second counts, that precision is invaluable."
The Fleeting Masterpiece: Capturing Raw Emotion
When the announcement echoes from the main hall, the energy backstage becomes palpable. The roar of the crowd, the sudden burst of music, and then, the winner emerges—often breathless, overwhelmed, sometimes tearful, sometimes stunned into silence. This is the moment Hong and his team have prepared for.
As the winner steps into the frame, Hong, with his deep understanding of human connection and visual subtext, becomes a calm anchor in the storm of emotion. As the Cinematographer, his camera work is about reading the room, anticipating movements, and capturing authentic jubilation, raw tears, or stunned silence with grace and precision. It's a dance between technical execution and empathetic intuition, ensuring the camera is perfectly positioned to seize that fleeting, unscripted display of a lifelong dream realized. There is no "cut" and "take two"; it is one take, one chance, one perfect capture of a deeply personal, yet globally significant, moment.
Beyond the Gold Statuette: A Contribution to History
Once the brief moment is complete, the footage is immediately whisked away for quick editing, ready to be shared with the world as part of the official Academy's celebration. For Hong, filming the winner's video at the Oscars is more than just a job; it's a profound sense of contribution to cinematic history. It's about distilling pure human emotion into a visual record that will be revisited for decades to come.
This meticulous craft, applied to a moment of such high stakes and raw emotion, is a testament to the fact that even in the most high-stakes, technologically advanced environments, the human eye, the steady hand, and the empathetic heart of a Cinematographer remain irreplaceable. It underscores the enduring power of visual storytelling, not just in grand narratives, but in capturing the most authentic moments of life's triumphs.
