Cinematographer Greig Fraser Discusses Challenges of Filming 'Project Hail Mary' with Practical Sets and Puppetry

Greig Fraser, the cinematographer for 'Project Hail Mary,' labeled the film as the toughest endeavor of his professional life. Although the movie garnered an impressive $420.7 million at the box office and showcased seemingly effortless visuals, Fraser encountered significant technical challenges. One major issue was illuminating a 70-foot tunnel constructed from the fictional substance xenonite, which necessitated the creation of a large rig using conventional tungsten lights instead of LEDs. The alien character Rocky, resembling a rock with granite limbs, added further complexity, requiring front lighting despite lacking a face and relying on puppetry for emotional expression. Fraser noted that a recurring multi-colored flare effect was created with an inexpensive rainbow filter from Amazon. The production prioritized practical sets, including a full-scale spaceship for Ryan Gosling to interact with. Additionally, photographer Rod Prazeres provided deep-space images for the end credits. Fraser has previously worked on significant films such as 'Dune' and 'The Batman.'