The Interview

Jordan Oglesby’s obsession with film began in the red glow of his homemade darkroom. Raised outside Chicago by a photographer mother, he spent his childhood glued to his VHS camera creating absurd narratives. A degree in cinema from DePaul University preceded years of experience as a Local 600 camera assistant under ASC cinematographers, including Alice Brooks, Rodrigo Prieto, and Michael Goi. This foundation shapes his understanding of the purpose behind each shot. Oglesby crafts imagery that amplifies the power of story and evokes lasting emotion.

His recent work, The Interview, follows a convict facing a deadly choice. Oglesby heightened the psychological tension with full-frame anamorphic lenses custom-modified by Panavision. To protect the tight schedule, he utilized CineTracer to pre-visualize and pre-light each setup. This allowed him to collaborate seamlessly with director Kai Kim and AD Lucille OuYang to map out an incredibly efficient, overtime-free shooting plan. His intentional lighting design prioritized actor safety and freedom of movement in its intense fight scenes.

The film earned Best Thriller at the Pasadena International Film Festival, four awards at Idyllwild, and four nominations at the Micheaux Film Festival. Oglesby’s diverse body of work includes the quirky web series Tricycles, the Micheaux-nominated Compulsive Kickback, and the confrontational Hard Light, which received five Idyllwild wins including Best Cinematography for a Short Film.