Rubicon on AMC: Where Story Matters

Rubicon is a new television series that premiered in August on the AMC television network. At its heart is an intelligence analyst who uncovers a potential conspiracy to manipulate world events. The protagonist sets off on a compelling search for the truth and grapples with issues of mistrust, power, control and paranoia.

Michael Slovis is photographing the first season of Rubicon. Slovis has earned consecutive Emmy® nominations for his cinematography on the AMC series Breaking Bad, the edgy television series set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Breaking Bad is part of a string of hits for the cable network that includes Mad Men, Broken Trail and The Prisoner. Breaking Bad, The Prisoner and Mad Men all earned Emmy nominations for cinematography this year. All of these shows are shot on film, as are the forthcoming Rubicon and The Walking Dead. These critically-acclaimed series have come to life under the watchful eye of AMC Vice President of Production Susan Goldberg.

“We hire the best cinematographers in the business and they are being recognized for it,” says Goldberg. “We are thrilled with the images Michael is creating for Rubicon.”

Slovis says that AMC brings the right attitude as well. “AMC has a history of being a home for filmmakers,” he says. “They’re very aware of cinema, and they want a cinematic approach to almost everything they do. As a cinematographer, I’ve never experienced the degree of support I feel now prior to working with AMC.”

The cinematic approach naturally led to the decision to shoot film. Goldberg says that format is carefully considered in each case.

“We did an extensive series of tests in preparation for The Walking Dead,” she says. “We compared all the latest HD and digital cameras, as well as Super 16 and 35 mm film. For The Walking Dead, we like the texture and the speed you can get with the Super 16 format. We have a high standard at AMC for what our shows look and feel like. We feel there is a certain elegance with film, and we think film adds a cinematic quality that fits with the rest of our programming. Feature films air before and after our original series, and we want smooth, elegant transitions.”

Dependability is another factor in the decision. “For Broken Trail, we filmed in remote locations in Canada. In Breaking Bad, we had a lot of daylight exteriors in and around Albuquerque. The Prisoner was filmed in South Africa and Namibia, and there were sandstorms. Fixing an HD camera can be problematic. There’s a certain safety and comfort level that comes with shooting on film. You don’t have to worry about it. Shooting on film pretty much guarantees the highest standard of photographic and artistic quality.

Rubicon is shot almost entirely on locations in and around New York City. The format is three-perf Super 35. “Film makes complete sense given the way we make the show,” says Slovis. “It gives me a tremendous amount of range and flexibility. I can push the (KODAK VISION3 500T Color Negative Film) 5219 a stop to 1,000 E.I., and I get no grain pickup. And yet I can shoot out the windows of our main location and pick up car lights moving across the Hudson River. Also, this story demands a lot of mystery, and film gives you that richness and texture in the blacks that I have yet to see in other formats.”

For bright exterior situations, Slovis uses KODAK VISION3 200T Color Negative Film 5213. “During the day, the detail in the background is amazing,” he says. “That background action – boats and ferries, water taxis and helicopters – makes the city feel alive. In a visual way, this show is a love poem to New York City, so getting those details on film is important. The 5213 allows me to work efficiently. It holds highlights so well and I can shoot on very sunny days with minimal additional lighting.”

Slovis says that AMC’s slogan – “Story Matters Here” – is really borne out in the attitudes of his colleagues. “Everybody fights to make it better, and to make it a suspenseful and literary experience for the audience,” he says. “It’s not a fast-paced show. We have a more cinematic approach to coverage and blocking. The writing is fantastic, and there are so many subtleties and nuances that pay off later. I like to say that it is television for people who like to read books.”

Goldberg notes that Slovis is directing an episode of Rubicon as he did with Breaking Bad last season. “When we first met with Michael about Breaking Bad, we told him we wanted the show to look unique and special, not your typical television. We told him to break the mold and take chances. I think he was a little surprised. From Michael's first dailies on Breaking Bad and now on Rubicon, we’ve loved every minute of his work.”