Episode 283Dolby Creator Talks

The Cinematography of Sinners, with Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC

February 23, 2026

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Join us for a behind-the-scenes conversation with Academy Award®-nominated cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw about her work on “Sinners” — and the creative choices that shaped the film’s look from the very early stages of conception. Autumn breaks down how she and director Ryan Coogler developed the visual language together, from camera and lens selection to lighting strategies designed to support performances, tone, and mood, especially in those challenging night scenes. Along the way, she reflects on collaboration, preparation, and the real on-set problem-solving that is always involved in filmmaking.

How our team collaborates: It’s the authority [director Ryan Coogler] gives each department to pour themselves into it… everyone has a say, your opinion matters. Any great filmmaker knows that it’s never about one department… When we approach stuff, we want the lighting to be a character, but we also want it to feel of the space — and so that requires us to collaborate very closely with production design… When you give people that respect and you consider them and you give them that authority, they work very hard for you and they care.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC, Director of Photography, “Sinners”

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