King of cinematic stills: Gregory Crewdson's casting secrets

"I don’t particularly like the casting process – it just stresses me out," says Gregory, when asked about the documentary's subject matter. "With rare exception, I don't want any interaction between me and the subject. When that person gets on set, I think it's good to have a certain amount of tension and discomfort."

And yet the casting images shot by Gregory on the Canon EOS 5D are vital to determining how his final images look. Only two shots are taken of each model at the casting stage: one front on and one with a slight side angle. The amount of detail on show in Gregory's large-format final photographs means that the casting shots are critical to determining how to best capture the essence of the subject. "At its core, there’s something very intense and voyeuristic about photography," he says. "The interaction between the camera and the subject is important for me. There's a slight bit of shame or guilt that's involved in the whole thing, and that's important. The camera is an alibi that allows you to explore traits that you wouldn't normally explore in person."

"I’m not that comfortable with a camera," admits Gregory. "But the Canon EOS 5D became a great extension – I loved it. We did a lot of production stills with the camera, and it became a very important part of the process."

Finding the perfect figure

These signs of discomfort in potential models are an important part of what Gregory looks for. "It has something to do with the medium: photography is a moment frozen in time, so you're looking for something that isn't immediately available, rather than something more literal or obvious. One way or another, I'm always looking for this sense of intimacy in terms of the moment."

Casting can be structured, but other times very spontaneous. "There have been occasions where we've seen someone on the street and I'll say, 'That person needs to be in the picture,'" says Gregory. It's at this point that Juliane will approach them to ask if they'd like to take part.

Over the last 25 years, work has taken place almost exclusively around one area of Massachusetts, meaning that Gregory is by his own admission, "sort of a known quantity." The team works from a script, essentially a one-page description – casting hopefuls read it and decide whether or not they want to be in the picture. "I'll often sit down and show them some of his books," says Juliane. "Many times they'll say, 'Oh my gosh, I know these pictures.'"

Juliane is the one constant figure for the models because as she links the process from casting to shooting. "I'm the one hanging out with them behind the scenes, making them comfortable with what they're going to do," she says. "But then I bring them to the set and remove myself. At this point, they interact with Gregory – at a distance. It's very enlightening – what he sees in the landscape and in people, he sees on a whole other level."

On set with Gregory Crewdson

Once with Gregory, the models are placed in a set with a combination of natural and positioned light. "We know where the light is going to fall, where they're going to stand, what they'll be wearing. It's just a matter of trying to make very small technical adjustments in terms of their position – shoulders or head, perhaps. But we give little instruction," says Gregory.

Unexpected changes to such a specific vision – be it through weather or unsuccessful casting – can, at times, be difficult on set. But these changes can also be the making of the final image, Gregory explains: "You work really hard to get the image in your head, and then you have to give it up to something else – that’s where the magic comes from. When trying to represent something that's in your head in a physical form, there will always be a necessary disappointment," he muses. "Yet something occurs from this that will stand on its own and you just have to accept it on its own terms."

To find out more about the latest EOS 5D camera, the EOS 5D Mark IV, check out the product page.