The Thicket director Elliott Lester on his Western epic

The Thicket is a gritty Western thriller that follows a young man's
quest to rescue his kidnapped sister from the clutches of the
notorious Cut Throat Bill (Juliette Lewis). With a ragtag group of
outcasts and the aid of the skilled bounty hunter Reginald Jones
(Peter Dinklage), he embarks on a perilous journey through the
unforgiving Texas wilderness. Inspired by classic Westerns like The
Searchers, The Revenant, and McCabe & Mrs. Miller, director
Elliott Lester sought to create a visually striking and emotionally
resonant film. “I look more at photography and art to inform the
feeling, because the moment you shoot that very first frame, you're
dictating how that movie's going to be,” says Elliott. “Where you
put the camera, it informs how the performance is going to feel.
There was always something intriguing to look at in each frame of
the movie.” The Thicket was backed by the streaming service Tubi
and filmed in Alberta, Canada, during the harsh winter months. The
cast and crew faced extreme conditions, including temperatures well
below freezing. Despite the challenges, Elliott and his team
managed to capture the rugged beauty of the wilderness and create a
sense of authenticity. Cinematographer Guillermo Garza played a
crucial role in bringing Elliott's vision to life. Their
collaboration was marked by a deep understanding of naturalism and
a commitment to creating visually stunning shots. "One of the
reasons I collaborated with him was because he had an amazing
understanding of naturalism," Elliott says. "He's a pretty
remarkable DP." With no formal film school training, Elliott worked
his way up through the ranks of music video production back in its
heyday. His experience as a first assistant director on films like
American History X provided him with valuable experience and the
desire to become a director. "I was obsessive about directing," he
admits. "Once I got my teeth into something, I was like a dog with
a bone." Find Elliott Lester: Instagram: @elliottlester88 Sponsored
by Hot Rod Cameras: https://hotrodcameras.com/ The Cinematography
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