‘Sirens’ DP Gregory Middleton Creates Mythical Island Vibe

Contending at the Water Cooler

We’re never truly told exactly where Netflix’s Sirens takes place. Yet, the lack of a defined location provided director of photography Gregory Middleton several opportunities to capture both the island’s mythic beauty and accentuate its inherent creepiness. Particularly within the cavernous hallways of Peter and Michaela “Kiki” Kell’s (Kevin Bacon, Julianne Moore) mansion.

With the DeWitt sisters Devon and Simone (Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock) thrown into this tempest, Middleton visually underscores the mysterious nature of Kiki’s world.

“Cavernous is a good feeling. There’s nowhere to hide in these sets. There are very few corners, no dark recesses. You see everything,” Middleton explained. “There’s no way to keep light out, which is the idea. There’s no escape.”

Moore Kiki fills the space and, in most scenes, demands the characters’ and the audiences’ attention. You literally cannot take your eyes off of Moore in her transcendent performance. Middleton worked with the team of female directors to stage the scene and frame Moore in ways to constantly direct your eye toward her. Yes, she’s surrounded by her entourage or her party guests or the harried staff, but you’re always looking at Julianne Moore.

Which says a lot given the gorgeous external shots that Middleton gives us. Blessed with rain and cloud-free shooting days, he was able to capture rapturous sunsets set amidst steep cliffs. One shot, in particular, emerged as one of his favorites within the shoot: a breathtaking scene where Alcock’s Milly takes in the sunset at cliff’s edge… a cliff that sort of belongs to her now. It’s a fantastic way to end the series, and Middleton captures it lovingly in golden hues and amber tones.

Here, in an interview with The Contending, Gregory Middleton shares the secrets of the shoot. He talks about capturing the visual differences between the bright island locale and the darker tones of Buffalo, New York. He talks about capturing the enormous sets that make up the Kell mansion and the challenge inherent in filming against a lot of glass. Finally, he tells us how he shot the shocking moment where Kiki’s beloved Barnaby returns to her in an unexpected way.

Click below or here to listen to the full interview with Sirens directory of photography Gregory Middleton!

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