Advisor Studio: Navigating a Career as a Cinematographer with Polly Morgan, ASC, BSC and Rachel Morrison, ASC

Known for her versatility, compelling visuals, and intuitive lensing, award-winning cinematographer Polly Morgan’s ability and commitment to delve fully into a wide range of projects has made her one of the leading go-to cinematographers working in film and television.

Most recently, Morgan has received accolades for her work on the critically-acclaimed feature film, “The Woman King.” Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood for Sony’s Tristar Pictures, the film opened in theaters on Friday, September 16 at the top of the domestic box office and a rare A+ CinemaScore. The film is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, “The Woman King” follows the emotionally epic journey of General Naniscan (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. The film stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega. Morgan’s work on the film celebrates the drama of its talented cast as well as dynamic action sequences and the beauty of the red earth environment and epic landscapes of Western Africa.

Prior to “The Woman King,” Morgan lensed Sony’s “Where the Crawdads Sing” set in the deep American South. Directed by Olivia Newman, the film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Harris Dickinson and David Straithairn in the coming-of-age story of a young girl raised in the marshlands of the south in the 1950s. Described as “visual poetry,” Morgan used lyrical camera movement and a naturalistic palette to chart main character Kya’s journey from childhood to adult life.

Other recent feature film work includes Noah Hawley’s magical directorial debut, “Lucy in the Sky,” starring Natalie Portman, Jon Hamm, Dan Stevens, Zazie Beetz, Pearl Amanda Dickson, Tig Notaro and Ellen Burstyn. Portman plays Lucy Cola, a strong woman whose determination and drive as an astronaut take her to space, where she’s deeply moved by the transcendent experience of seeing her life from afar. It was released by Fox Searchlight. Morgan first worked with Hawley on his groundbreaking series, FX’s “Legion,” which Morgan was nominated for an ASC Award for Best Cinematography in 2020.

Morgan followed “Lucy In The Sky” with John Krasinski’s boxoffice hit “A Quiet Place Part II.” Released by Paramount Pictures, the post-apocalyptic horror film picks up with the Abbott family – Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe – as they navigate and survive the world their now living in. Morgan’s camera was able to capture an intimate family drama set within a tense horror and fast-moving action. Upcoming from Morgan is “Marmalade,” written and directed by Morgan’s husband Keir O’Donnell and starring Joe Keery, Camila Morrone and Aldris Hodge, which recently wrapped production. She most recently lensed the Amy Winehouse biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and starring Marisa Abela. 

Born in London, Morgan began her career as a camera assistant and Canada going on to become a Fulbright Scholar in 2008 and attended AFI (American Film Institute) to study a Masters degree in Cinematography. Upon graduating, Morgan began shooting independent features that gained attention at such festivals as Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca, before branching into television drama in both the UK and USA.

One of Morgan’s early roles in cinematography was as DP Wally Pfister’s assistant on Christopher Nolan’s groundbreaking blockbuster “Inception,” which among the film’s many accolades, received multiple Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and an Academy Award win for Pfister for Best Achievement in Cinematography.

Named an ASC Rising Star in 2012, Morgan went on to be named as one of Variety’s Ten Cinematographers to Watch in 2016 and in 2018 became the only woman ever to be a member of both the ASC and BSC.

Other notable awards include a Best Cinematography Festival Award from the Brooklyn Film Festival for her work lensing “The Truth About Emmanuel,” which also earned her a Gerald Hirschfeld A.S.C. Cinematography Award from the Ashland Film Festival.

Rachel Morrison is a director/cinematographer who has built an extensive body of work; channeling each story’s core narrative into arresting imagery and dynamic emotion. For her work on Mudbound, Morrison became the first woman ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography. She is also the first woman to lens a Marvel superhero movie, the box office smash Black Panther. In the past few years, Morrison has directed The Morning Show for Apple, Impeachment for FX, and the Mandelorian for Disney Plus. She also helmed the pilot of Starz’ series Hightown which is currently in its third season. Morrison’s Feature debut, The Fire Inside, will be released theatrically this Christmas by MGM. It tells the story of the American dream versus the American reality as experienced by boxing phenom Claressa Shields. Morrison is a mother of two and an avid amateur surfer.