05/06/2026
“It never got in the way of intimacy or story. It just quietly held the emotion in the frame, so I could stay focused on people and moments instead of the image.” - Stephanie Senior, Cinematographer.
For In a Sentimental Mood, director Saskia Glass and cinematographer Stephanie Senior crafted a visual language rooted in intimacy, nuance, and emotional honesty. Pairing the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF with ARRI Signature Primes, Senior was drawn to the camera's natural rendering of skin tones, gentle highlight roll-off, and immersive large-format aesthetic, creating images that felt human, textured, and deeply connected to the story.
Working collaboratively, Glass and Senior developed an approach that embraced proximity, texture, and character. One of Senior's favourite creative elements came through a series of environmental title-card portraits, placing subjects within spaces that reflected their identity and story. The combination of the Mini LF and Signature Primes allowed these moments to feel both intentional and effortless, where camera and creativity worked in complete harmony.
For a documentary centred on jazz, restraint, feeling, and improvisation, the camera became more than a technical tool. As Senior describes it, much like jazz itself, the Mini LF excelled at capturing the spaces between things; timing, texture, imperfection, and the subtle details where emotion truly lives.
Director – Saskia Glass
Cinematographer – Stephanie Senior Stephanie Senior Media
Producer – Aron Attiwell
Film – In a Sentimental Mood
BTS – Lula Armenti
