7 minute read
Live Ribble Valley Issue 135 September 2022
BEHIND THE SCENES…
Steadicam operator Will Lyte from the Ribble Valley talks to Jan Woolley about his work on major feature films and TV dramas starring world renowned actors
Camera operator Will Lyte has worked on major feature films and well-known TV series as well as commercials, documentaries and music videos with renowned singer songwriters.
He specialises in Steadicam work which allows the camera to move smoothly, often shooting a whole scene in one take. By coincidence, he recently returned to his roots in the Ribble Valley working on location for a major film due to be released next year.
Born and brought up in Clitheroe, Will was educated at West Bradford then Bowland High School. He admits he was not an academic but was always interested in art and photography from an early age: “To be honest, my strengths never lay in academia, I always found it more intuitive and logical to express myself visually and physically.
“Without a camera or some form of art, I struggled for a long time, which was not without frustration and on occasion, embarrassment.
“It wasn’t necessarily the act of taking a photo that sparked my interest in filmmaking and photography, more so when I finally had a tool to portray my feelings as well as translate other people’s emotions. It was like, ‘Oh finally, now I can do that!’
“So, I would say I realised this as soon as I had one of my grandma’s disposable cameras on one of our holidays in France. Maybe I was eight or nine years old.”
Will went on to study A levels at Craven College in Skipton – a time he cherishes.
“Finally, I was studying things that made sense and inspired me,” recalls Will, who moved to Manchester.
His first job, in makeover photography was one he did not enjoy – he didn’t agree with the ethics of the industry: “Put it this way, I worked there long enough to save up just enough money to start pursuing my dream of becoming a camera trainee in the film and TV industry.”
Will’s uncle also works in the film industry and was recently nominated for an Oscar and BAFTA for his work as the visual effects supervisor on No Time to Die. Will says: “I was obviously mega proud of him and was curious. But he didn’t really influence my career choice as he works in VFX (Visual Effects). I respect the craft but it’s never something I’ve wanted to pursue.
“I have always simply enjoyed photographing a scene, a moment in time. “When I was younger, I loved how I could change the protagonist within a frame to suit my intentions of what I wanted to portray. Whether that would be with the focus, the depth of an image or an interesting composition. I sometimes find it hard to explain – the truth is, art is subjective and sometimes you’re not really meant to fully understand the artist all of the time.”
Through hard work and a willingness to learn, over the years Will forged a reputation within the film and TV industry as a skilled cameraman who can be relied on for his dependable framing and composition.
His work as a Steadicam operator has now taken his career to another level. Steadicam was a skill that appealed to Will, who was initially attracted to the physicality of the operating system, as he explains: “Steadicam is a tool that allows the camera to travel smoothly and as the
name implies, steadily through a scene. The issues of operating a camera handheld – shakiness, rough and erratic shots – are eliminated with a Steadicam.
“It is essentially a three-axis gimbal perfectly balanced on a post that is attached to a Steadicam arm, which consist of springs to absorb the movement, which is then finally connected to myself with a metal harness that distributes the weight evenly through my hips.
“The Steadicam rig mechanically isolates the camera from the operator’s movements, allowing for a smooth shot, even when the operator moves over an irregular surface.
“I later learnt to love how it allows you to cover an entire scene in one take, without the need to cut or edit. The term we refer to is a ‘developing shot’ – the scene develops and flows with a true grace and elegance.
“Because the presence of the camera is not strictly noticed, you as the audience, can become fully immersed in what the actors are conveying.
“Filming a scene in one shot means you never have the option to cut to a different angle if you make a mistake.
“However, when it all comes together it’s a sense of achievement that is unlike anything else. I get a real buzz from it.”
Over the years Will, who lived in Los Angeles for two years, has worked on many prestigious projects with a host of globally renowned actors. Feature films he has worked on include Captain Phillips,
Fast and Furious 6 and Cruella, dramas include The Witcher: Blood Origin, London Spy, Gangs of London, DCI Banks, No Offence and George Michael: Freedom.
He has worked on music videos for James Arthur, Paul McCartney and Stormzy and he has worked on films and dramas featuring Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Simon Pegg, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Coleman, Jim Broadbent and Ben Wishaw – the list goes on.
Among his stand-out TV series have been Top Boy and Netflix sensation Sex Education.
“Sex Education is the series which enabled me to grow significantly as a skilled Steadicam operator with the guidance and mentorship of my boss Jamie Cairney the director of photography. The cast are also great fun to be around!
“Top Boy is not particularly massive in comparison to some of the big films but it’s well respected and holds a special place in my heart. It’s also unique in that it tells the story that many marginalised and underrepresented people existing in that culture don’t get the opportunity to express.”
Clitheroe and Athens were chosen as the main filming locations and Will was asked to join the crew on both.
“Sincerely, my favourite filming experience! Being back on home turf was surreal to say the least. My mum Jane got to be an extra!
“Athens was really the icing on the cake. We felt so welcome and being in Greece filming was a totally different experience. The crew network is a lot smaller. When filming takes 12 to 14 hours a day and often away from home, you find yourself becoming a small family in a way. It truly is one of the beautiful sides of this industry.”
As for the future Will, who now lives in London, is looking forward to more exciting film and TV opportunities: “The Netflix series I’m currently working on is a belter! It’s a challenge technically for me but I embrace the opportunity to grow in my art.
“I sometimes wish I had that crystal ball. But the truth is I’ll get a phone call out of the blue about a project and as long as the script and the vibe are good, I’m on board.” •
