When RaMell Ross signed on to direct the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s ‘Nickel Boys’, he had a bold vision. He wanted nearly the entire film to be shot from the first-person perspective, a feat that few have attempted before. Here’s the story of how he made it happen and created one of the year’s most ambitious and acclaimed movies.

Unlock the Intimacy of 'Nickel Boys' through First-Person Perspective

RaMell Ross: From Art to Film

RaMell Ross comes from the art world, where abstraction is embraced. In film, he found people asking more about intention. His 2018 documentary 'Hale County This Morning, This Evening' followed two Black high school students in Alabama. It eschewed traditional narrative for a fragmentary approach, resembling video art. Despite not winning an Oscar, it was nominated. After, Ross returned to teaching visual arts at Brown University.

The Pitch for 'Nickel Boys'

In 2019, a producer reached out about adapting 'Nickel Boys'. Ross was familiar with the production company Plan B through their previous works like '12 Years a Slave' and 'Moonlight'. Reading the novel, he was inspired by the fictionalization of real horrors. He pitched the idea of shooting from the first-person perspective, and Plan B immediately signed off. Cinematographer Jomo Fray, a fan of 'Hale County', was on board. They faced the challenge of rethinking the language of film on a quantum level.

The Technical Challenges

There was a month of testing to get the feel right. They focused on how time moves with the camera and found that messiness was more convincing. Special gear was needed, like the Sony Venice camera in IMAX quality with various setups. Most shots were filmed by Ross, Fray, and Sam Ellison. In some scenes, actors donned the camera rigs themselves. It was a new experience for actors like Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson, who had to shift their focus and speak directly into the camera.

The Shooting Process

Preproduction was rushed due to covid, but preparation helped. Ross estimated that 90 percent of the storyboarded and scripted shots showed up in the final film. Shooting was compressed to a month. There were many challenges, like Bluetooth not connecting, but they managed to capture the naturalistic feel.

The Film's Structure and Resonance

'Nickel Boys' is structured along more conventional plot lines with a big twist. It offers reprieves and distractions, emulating how the eye wanders and memory is nonlinear. One of the most moving moments is when actor Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor embraces Turner and the camera looks past her shoulder. This changes the dynamic between actor and camera.In conclusion, 'Nickel Boys' is a remarkable achievement that showcases Ross' unique vision and the technical prowess of the team. It's a film that offers a new perspective on Black characters and their stories.