Director of ?photography Ellen Kuras earned her fourth Emmy nomination for her work focusing on one of her role models: trailblazing primatologist Jane Goodall, the subject of Brett Morgen’s National Geographic documentary Jane.
It’s a unique project in that the wildlife photography is long-lost 16mm archival footage shot in ?the 1960s by Goodall’s then-husband, the late photographer Hugo van Lawick, whose name also appears on the Emmy ballot, for archival photography.
Kuras’ work involved the recent interviews and material with Goodall. “I had to be very cognizant of the fact that even though I was working in the digital realm, I wanted it to be in the same world of tonality [as the 16mm],” she says. “I wanted it to feel very present, but also have a feeling that it was part of the same movie.” Also Oscar nominated for 2008 documentary The Betrayal — Nerakhoon, Kuras was thrilled to work with Goodall. “For me as a young pioneering cinematographer, I didn’t really have that many role models in the cinematography world. There weren’t that many women who were working and doing what I was doing,” she says. “And so for me, I always looked to role models who were outside of cinema. Jane was one of those role models. I had a great admiration for her tenacity, her courageousness and her adherence to what she believed in.”
Related Stories
Kuras does see a recent change in the opportunities for women in her field. “I do definitely feel that steps are being made in the right direction, and I’m really glad that people have spoken up in defense of equality of pay for women,” she says. “I find that even now, having moved into directing as well, that there’s a lot more opportunity for us to be able to work and to show what we can do. So yes, I think that steps are being taken.” However, Kuras adds: “I think there’s still a long way to go.”
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
