SCARFACE (1983)

Director: Brian De Palma

Cinematographer: John A. Alonzo, ASC

Club Scene

Sunset Scene

TECHNICAL SPECS

Camera: Panavision Panaflex
Format: 35mm, 2.35:1 (Panavision)
Lenses: Panavision Anamorphic
Film Stock: Kodak 5247 (day), 5294 (night)
Key Innovation: Panacam video camera for surveillance shots

ALONZO'S APPROACH

Philosophy: "Create a visual style that reflects the excess of the era"
Signature: Bold color palette with neon accents
Innovation: Mixing surveillance footage with cinematic style
Style: High-contrast lighting with strong color gels

LIGHTING SETUP

Miami Exteriors: Natural light with reflectors for fill
Club Scenes: Colored gels with neon accents
Night Scenes: High-contrast lighting with strong shadows
Mansion Interiors: Soft, diffused lighting with warm tones

VISUAL STRATEGY

Bold color palette with neon accents for Miami nightlife
High-contrast lighting for dramatic scenes
Wide anamorphic compositions for epic scale
Surveillance camera aesthetic for certain sequences
Warm, golden tones for mansion scenes to reflect wealth

RECREATION NOTES

For Miami exteriors, use natural light with reflectors for fill
For club scenes, use colored gels with neon accents
For night scenes, create high-contrast lighting with strong shadows
For mansion interiors, use soft, diffused lighting with warm tones
Use wide anamorphic lenses for epic scale
For surveillance footage look, use lower resolution cameras or add grain in post
Employ bold color palette with neon accents for Miami nightlife scenes