"Filmustage Saves Me a Tremendous Amount of Time": The Story of Callan Green from "The Gentlemen" to "Masters of the Air"

What ties together the crime comedy series "The Gentlemen," the World War II action drama "Masters of the Air," and the gritty crime saga "Gangs of London"? Aside from the fact that award-winning Director of Photography Callan Green was behind the visual brilliance of each project, they all benefited from the use of Filmustage as his key instrument in the pre-production process.

Read how Callan Green used Filmustage’s AI tools to streamline the challenging visual demands of each production, from managing detailed script breakdowns to handling frequent updates. Whether it’s capturing explosive action sequences or fine-tuning historical detail, Filmustage played a crucial role in shaping the visuals of these standout projects.

A Cinematic Visionary and Discovery of Filmustage

Callan Green, a prolific, award-winning Director of Photography, was born in New Zealand and has over 26 years of experience working in the camera department. Specializing in features and TV series, Callan's passion for capturing the perfect visual extends beyond narrative storytelling into commercials and music promos. In late 2013, Callan was accredited by the Australian Cinematographers Society, allowing him to use the prestigious ACS after his name. He achieved similar recognition from the New Zealand Cinematographers Society in October 2017, earning the right to add NZCS to his professional title.

Alongside his vast experience, Callan is always on the lookout for new technologies that can optimize his workflow and enhance efficiency on set. This curiosity led him to discover Filmustage.

Callan recalls:

 "I believe I found Filmustage through Google or perhaps a recommendation from a first AD. It's been about five years now, and it's amazing how much it has improved my workflow. Discovering Filmustage was a turning point, as it provided the tools needed to handle complex projects more efficiently. Whether it was through an online search or word-of-mouth, the decision to start using Filmustage has been incredibly beneficial."

Since then, Filmustage has become a key tool in Callan’s pre-production process, helping him easily manage script breakdowns and intricate scheduling.

“The Gentlemen” (2024) 🐔

"The Gentlemen," a Netflix series, serves as a spin-off from the 2019 Guy Ritchie film of the same name. The series expands on the world of British aristocrats involved in the criminal underworld, blending sharp humor with action-packed sequences. The story follows Edward, the younger son of the Duke of Halstead, who returns home after his father's death. Inheriting his father's title, estate, and a dangerous legacy, Edward discovers that his family has secretly been running an illegal marijuana operation for years, in partnership with the powerful crime boss Bobby Glass.

Edward, determined to leave the dangerous drug business behind, soon realizes it’s not that simple. Suzy Glass, the daughter of the crime lord managing the marijuana empire, is unwilling to let go of the profitable partnership. Meanwhile, Edward also has to deal with debts left by his older brother and navigate threats from rival gangsters, including a mysterious American billionaire, Stanley Johnston. As Edward grapples with these challenges, the series delivers plenty of black humor, intense shootouts, and brutal confrontations, all in the signature style of Guy Ritchie — complete with aristocrats, gypsies, vibrant characters, and unexpected plot twists.

Callan Green worked on episodes 5-8, which mark as the culmination of the series. These episodes are packed with dynamic, high-stakes action and pivotal character development, bringing multiple plotlines to a dramatic climax. The fast-paced nature of these episodes demanded precise execution, especially as the complexity increased with each scene.

Filmustage's AI-driven script breakdown was instrumental in streamlining this process. As Callan explains,

“One of the first things that really stands out to me is the breakdown feature. It allows me to quickly assess a project's complexity. For instance, if I see that 75% of the scenes are night shoots, I know it's going to be a tricky job right off the bat. This feature helps me decide whether a project is manageable or not.”

Additionally, the ability to see the number of scenes and the transitions between day and night provided a clear picture of what to expect, which was invaluable during the early stages of project planning. With this, Callan could make informed decisions about the feasibility of certain elements, ensuring smoother operations during the shoot.

Whether coordinating action-packed shootouts or tracking dialogue exchanges between characters, Filmustage became the essential tool that kept the production on track.

"Masters of the Air" (2024) ✈️

"Masters of the Air" is a World War II miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, based on the true story of the American Eighth Air Force, which played a pivotal role in bombing missions over Nazi Germany. The series takes an in-depth look at the personal struggles of these brave pilots as they faced immense danger, loss, and the emotional toll of warfare. The production required a meticulous approach to accurately portray historical events while managing intense aerial combat scenes.

Callan Green’s work on "Masters of the Air" was made easier with Filmustage, particularly when dealing with the frequent script changes typical of such large-scale productions.

"For Masters of the Air, the frequent script updates were easily managed."

Filmustage allowed Callan to stay on top of these changes, ensuring that updates were quickly integrated into the shooting schedule and that the entire team remained in sync.

In a production of this scale, managing changes quickly is crucial. Callan emphasized how Filmustage helped save time and reduce stress:

"Filmustage saves me a tremendous amount of time. It allows me to quickly look at scripts and make notes, which is crucial as I have limited time due to personal commitments. Filmustage is my go-to tool on my laptop for handling script updates. The time saved using Filmustage translates into more efficient project management and less stress, as I can quickly access and process information without the need for time-consuming manual updates. The time savings are significant, and as they say, time is money."

This efficiency enabled Callan ensure the production stayed on schedule without getting bogged down in time-consuming manual updates.

By handling script updates seamlessly, Filmustage ensured that every scene — whether a high-flying aerial dogfight or an emotionally charged moment on the ground — was properly prepared, allowing the crew to maintain a smooth production workflow.

“Gangs of London” (2020 - ...)

"Gangs of London" is an action-packed crime drama set in the gritty underworld of modern-day London. The series revolves around a power struggle between various gangs after the assassination of the most powerful crime lord in the city. Directed by Gareth Evans, the show is known for its brutal and highly choreographed fight scenes, intense stunts, and intricate criminal dynamics.

The complexity of "Gangs of London" posed unique challenges for Callan Green, especially in planning and executing the elaborate action sequences that are a hallmark of the series.

"For Gangs of London, the detailed breakdowns were crucial in planning complex scenes," Callan notes.

The platform's ability to break down scripts into specific components ensured that every stunt, fight choreography, and special effect was carefully coordinated. For a series like "Gangs of London," where the scope of the action leaves little room for error, this level of detail was crucial.

Looking Ahead: Callan Green’s Ongoing Projects and the Future of Filmustage

Currently, Callan Green is in Canada, working on Universal's highly anticipated "Nobody 2," directed by Timo Tjahjanto. The film stars Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone, John Ortiz, and Colin Hanks, and is produced by 87North’s David Leitch, Kelly McCormick, and Braden Aftergood. As always, Callan relies on Filmustage to optimize his pre-production workflow, using its innovative tools to handle large-scale projects and optimize shooting schedules.

From our side at Filmustage, we’re constantly evolving to provide even more value to filmmakers like Callan. For example, we’re working on a bunch of exciting new features, including Production Calendars, Call Sheets, AI-based Budgeting, Shot Lists, Storyboards, and AI Video Tools. These tools are designed to help not only directors of photography but also producers, screenwriters, assistant directors, VFX teams, and other crew members streamline the entire production process.

Stay tuned as we continue to share how Filmustage is helping filmmakers overcome production challenges. Use Filmustage, and maybe we’ll be telling your story next! 😉