Fargo Tv Show's Camera Equipment: Behind The Scenes

The TV series Fargo, which premiered in 2014, was shot using the ARRI ALEXA Plus Camera and Angenieux Optimo Zoom Lenses, Cooke S4/i Lenses, and Leitz Summilux-C Series Lenses. The show was edited using the Avid Editing System.

Cinematographers for the show include Dana Gonzales, Craig Wrobleski, and Matthew J. Lloyd.

The ARRI ALEXA Mini LF camera was used in season 4, and Leitz M 0.8 lenses were used in season 5.

The ARRI ALEXA Plus Camera was used to shoot the first season of Fargo

The cinematography of Fargo has been widely praised, with viewers noting the "liquid elegance of small steady cams" and the "near perfection of the camera work in this series". The composition and lighting of the series have been described as "gorgeous" and "seemingly natural". The camera work has also been noted for its ability to create tension, with viewers highlighting specific shots and scenes that built suspense.

The first season of Fargo was set primarily in Minnesota and North Dakota from January 2006 to February 2007. It received multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries, Outstanding Directing, and Outstanding Casting, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film.

Angenieux Optimo Zoom Lenses were used for some shots

The Optimo Zoom Lenses used in Fargo are part of Angenieux's line of cinema zoom lenses, which are designed for use with digital cinema cameras. These lenses offer high-quality optics and a range of features that make them well-suited for television and film production. They provide a high level of image quality, with sharp focus and contrast, as well as low distortion and vignetting. This allows for clear and detailed images, even when shooting in low-light conditions or with a wide aperture.

The Optimo Zoom Lenses also offer a range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto, allowing filmmakers to capture a variety of shots without having to change lenses. This can be especially useful for television production, where the pace of shooting is often faster than in film and there is less time for lens changes. The lenses also feature a smooth and precise zoom mechanism, as well as a focus mechanism that allows for accurate and repeatable focus pulls.

In addition to their optical performance, the Optimo Zoom Lenses are also known for their build quality and durability. They are designed to withstand the rigours of professional film and television production, with a robust construction that can handle the demands of frequent use. The lenses are also designed to be compatible with a range of camera systems, including the ARRI ALEXA Plus Camera that was used to shoot Fargo.

Overall, the Angenieux Optimo Zoom Lenses are a high-quality and versatile option for television and film production, offering excellent optical performance, a range of features, and durable construction. It's no surprise that they were chosen for use in a visually stunning and critically acclaimed series like Fargo.

The show is shot on digital

The TV series Fargo, which premiered in 2014, was shot on digital using ARRI ALEXA Plus Cameras. The ARRI ALEXA camera is a digital motion picture camera designed for professional film and television production. It is capable of capturing high-quality images with a wide dynamic range and low noise, making it a popular choice for cinematographers and filmmakers.

The use of digital cameras offers several advantages over traditional film cameras. One of the main benefits is the ability to capture images in low-light conditions, as digital cameras are more sensitive to light. This can be especially useful when filming in locations with limited lighting or during night scenes. Digital cameras also provide immediate feedback, allowing directors and cinematographers to review footage on-set and make any necessary adjustments. This can help streamline the production process and ensure that the desired shots are achieved.

Another advantage of digital cameras is their dynamic range. The ARRI ALEXA Plus has a wide dynamic range, allowing it to capture details in both the highlights and shadows of an image. This results in images with rich tonal gradation and a higher level of detail. The camera's ability to capture a wide dynamic range also provides more flexibility in post-production, as it allows for greater control over the final look of the image through colour grading and other image manipulation techniques.

The choice of lenses can also have a significant impact on the overall image quality and aesthetic of a film or television show. For Fargo, Angenieux Optimo Zoom Lenses, Cooke S4/i Lenses, and Leitz Summilux-C Series Lenses were used in conjunction with the ARRI ALEXA Plus cameras. These lenses offer different features and benefits, providing the cinematographers with a range of options to achieve the desired look for each scene.

The combination of the ARRI ALEXA Plus camera and the carefully selected lenses allowed the cinematographers of Fargo to create stunning visuals that enhanced the storytelling and atmosphere of the show. The use of digital technology provided them with the flexibility and tools needed to bring their creative vision to life.

The show's cinematography is critically acclaimed

The TV show "Fargo" is critically acclaimed for its cinematography. The show has received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with the show itself winning the Outstanding Miniseries category. Director Colin Bucksey also won the Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special category. The show has also received eight Golden Globe Award nominations, with the show winning the Best Miniseries or Television Film category.

The show's cinematography has been described as "near perfection", with viewers praising the "liquid elegance of small steady cams". The composition and lighting have been described as "gorgeous", with viewers noting the effective use of fleeting Lester POV shots to create tension.

The show's first season holds a weighted average score of 85 out of 100 based on 40 reviews on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim". The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 97% of 140 critics gave the season a positive review, with an average rating of 8.45/10. The website consensus reads:

> "Based on the film of the same name in atmosphere, style, and location only, Fargo presents more quirky characters and a new storyline that is expertly executed with dark humor and odd twists."

The second season received a weighted average score of 96 out of 100 based on 33 reviews on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim". On Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 233 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 9.1/10. The site's consensus states:

> "Season two of Fargo retains all the elements that made the series an award-winning hit, successfully delivering another stellar saga powered by fascinating characters, cheeky cynicism, and just a touch of the absurd."

The third season has a weighted average score of 89 out of 100 based on 32 reviews on Metacritic, again indicating "universal acclaim". Rotten Tomatoes reported a 93% rating based on 225 reviews for the season, with an average rating of 8.5/10. The site's critical consensus is:

> "Thanks in part to a memorable dual performance from Ewan McGregor, Fargo mostly maintains the sly wit and off-kilter sensibility it displayed in its first two seasons."

The show's fifth season has also received positive reviews, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93% based on 55 reviews, and an average rating of 8.5/10. The site's critics consensus reads:

> "A back-to-basics caper populated by the likes of a mesmerizing Juno Temple and a thick slice of Hamm, Fargo's fifth season is a superb return to peak form."

> On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100 based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

The show's creator, Noah Hawley, has said that all the seasons of Fargo are connected

The TV show Fargo is shot using a variety of cameras and lenses, including:

• ARRI ALEXA Plus Camera
• Angenieux Optimo Zoom Lenses
• Cooke S4/i Lenses
• Leitz Summilux-C Series Lenses
• ARRI ALEXA Mini LF (Season 4)
• Leitz M 0.8 lenses (season 5)
• Super 16 (some scenes)

Fargo's creator, Noah Hawley, has stated that all the seasons of the show are connected. Each season of the show is a self-contained story with a different setting, cast, and characters, but they all share the same continuity and universe as the original 1996 Coen brothers film of the same name. Hawley has described the show as a "collection of stories" within a "big, leather-bound book that's the history of true crime in the Midwest". He believes that all the stories are connected, and that the film is "Chapter 4" of this book, with season 1 being "Chapter 9" and season 2 being "Chapter 2".

The show's connection to the film is further emphasised by the inclusion of buried ransom money from the film in a minor subplot in season 1, as well as a number of other references. In addition, each episode of the show begins with the text:

> This is a true story. The events depicted took place in [location] in [year]. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred.

However, this claim is untrue, and Hawley has stated that he included it as it allowed him to "tell a story in a new way" and play with the realism of the story.

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