Dan Laustsen Confirmed as Speaker at VIEW Conference 2025
VIEW Conference 2025, Italy's most important event dedicated to computer graphics, animation, and visual effects, has just announced a major addition to its speaker lineup. Dan Laustsen, the acclaimed Danish cinematographer whose distinctive visual vision has redefined the aesthetics of contemporary action and horror cinema, will be present to share his expertise. World-renowned for his work on the John Wick saga and his frequent collaboration with director Guillermo del Toro on films like Nightmare Alley and Crimson Peak, Laustsen represents a fascinating bridge between traditional practical photography and the limitless possibilities of digital visual effects. His participation promises to be one of the most anticipated masterclasses of the event. 🎬
The Architect of Light and Shadow
What makes Dan Laustsen's presence at a computer graphics-focused event so special is his deeply practical and integral approach to the image. Unlike many cinematographers who leave VFX for post-production, Laustsen plans lighting and composition in close collaboration with visual effects artists from pre-production. His style, characterized by the use of directional light beams, high contrast, and saturated color palettes, is designed to integrate seamlessly with digital environments and computer-generated characters. In his hands, light doesn't just illuminate a scene; it directs the viewer's gaze and amplifies the emotional narrative.
Hallmarks of His Visual Style:- Dramatic use of chiaroscuro and backlighting
- Practical light beams (flashlights, headlights) that interact with the environment
- Limited but intensely expressive color palettes
- Deep compositions with multiple planes of action
- Seamless integration of VFX characters into the set lighting
Lessons for Digital Artists and VFX Technicians
Laustsen's lecture at VIEW Conference 2025 will be an invaluable opportunity for 3D artists, lighters, and compositors to understand how light is built in the real world in order to replicate its behavior credibly in the digital realm. His working methodology offers crucial lessons on how cinematic lighting can guide the composition of a render, how color can define the mood of an animated sequence, and how the camera can tell a story by itself. For any computer graphics professional, understanding the principles that guide a master cinematographer is a qualitative boost for their own work.
Light is the most eloquent language of cinema, and Dan Laustsen is one of its greatest poets.
A Legacy of Visionary Collaborations
Laustsen's career is a testament to the power of creative collaboration. His partnership with director Chad Stahelski on the John Wick saga has created an iconic visual language for modern action cinema, where fight choreography and camera and light choreography are one and the same. Simultaneously, his work with Guillermo del Toro demonstrates his versatility in creating gothic, dreamlike, and symbol-laden atmospheres. At VIEW Conference, he is likely to delve into how these collaborations have shaped his approach and how he adapts to the vastly different visions of various directors, essential knowledge for any artist working in a collaborative production environment.
Expected Topics in His Lecture:- Planning lighting for scenes with extensive VFX
- Collaboration between the cinematography and post-production departments
- How to translate his practical light aesthetic to CGI environments
- The use of color and contrast for emotional narrative
- Technical challenges and creative solutions on complex shoots