Films & Celebrities
Urban Legend

URBAN LEGEND

This image features Rebecca Gayheart and Loretta Devine on the set of Urban Legend. Capturing this moment was a case study in on-set diplomacy.

Rebecca plays the film’s psychopathic killer, while Loretta portrays a university security guard determined to stop her. I felt it was important to photograph them together, a symbolic portrait of good versus evil.

We had just wrapped filming a pivotal scene: Loretta’s character catches Rebecca in the act of attempted murder and intervenes. As it marked the film’s climax, both the director and producer were hesitant to allow any photography that might reveal the ending. They preferred I skip setting up this shot.

But I sensed strong PR potential in this image. So, I stalled, deliberately humming and hawing, knowing that on a busy set, objections often give way to more pressing matters. Sure enough, as the crew began prepping for the next scene in another room, I seized a brief window to capture the shot quickly. The director and producer, now focused elsewhere, didn’t intervene.

Out of respect for their wishes, I chose not to submit the image to Columbia Pictures. Instead, I kept it for my personal portfolio.

In the fast-paced, pressure-cooker world of film production, knowing when and how to pick your battles is often what defines success for a unit still photographer.

Urban Legend

URBAN LEGEND

This image features Rebecca Gayheart and Loretta Devine on the set of Urban Legend. Capturing this moment was a case study in on-set diplomacy.

Rebecca plays the film’s psychopathic killer, while Loretta portrays a university security guard determined to stop her. I felt it was important to photograph them together, a symbolic portrait of good versus evil.

We had just wrapped filming a pivotal scene: Loretta’s character catches Rebecca in the act of attempted murder and intervenes. As it marked the film’s climax, both the director and producer were hesitant to allow any photography that might reveal the ending. They preferred I skip setting up this shot.

But I sensed strong PR potential in this image. So, I stalled, deliberately humming and hawing, knowing that on a busy set, objections often give way to more pressing matters. Sure enough, as the crew began prepping for the next scene in another room, I seized a brief window to capture the shot quickly. The director and producer, now focused elsewhere, didn’t intervene.

Out of respect for their wishes, I chose not to submit the image to Columbia Pictures. Instead, I kept it for my personal portfolio.

In the fast-paced, pressure-cooker world of film production, knowing when and how to pick your battles is often what defines success for a unit still photographer.