10 Astounding Facts About The Lighthouse You Didn't Know
9. C.amera R.ules E.verything A.round M.e
Like any great movie, motivated blocking of actors and camera are paramount to emphasizing beats in the scene as well as creating a subconscious shift in tone. Eggers took this train of thought very seriously, and rehearsed camera team and the actors' blocking endlessly in order to punctuate every bit of detail in scenes, and to great effect.
A lot of the film's lighting is heavily inspired by German Expressionism that is beautfiully evoked by harsh lighting exaggerating shadows along with Eggers and cinematographer Jarin Blaschke's relentless blocking. For Eggers, the camera blocking superseded performance and was integral in telling his story.
With every subtle dolly push-in or pull-back, the power of these camera movements and lighting work in tandem and expression of the internal and external turmoil of the psychology of the characters and script as a whole. It amplified the complicated power dynamic and claustrophobic close-quarters of the two leads. It's a testament to the power of camera blocking and movement.