Jessica Lee Gagné is a director of photography from Quebec, Canada.
She is mostly known for her work on the films Malgré la nuit (Despite the Night) (2015) and Daddy (2017) as well as the TV shows Escape at Dannemora (2018) and Severance (2022).
Jessica Lee Gagné | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1988 Quebec, Canada |
| Education | Concordia University |
Early Life
editJessica Lee Gagné was born in Quebec, Canada, where her early exposure to cinema came from her father, who owned a video store[1]. She grew up surrounded by VHS tapes, often watching films before and after school[2]. Having an interest in foreign films, her mother familiarized her to European cinema[2]. This environment helped develop and influence her early love for cinema[2].
Gagné began experimenting with photography at a young age on 35 mm film, inheriting cameras from family members[2]. She spent her high school years as the school's photographer and practiced a lot, developing technical skills[3]. She then went on to study film production at Concordia University in Montreal, from 2009 to 2011[4]. Her time at Concordia as well as filmmakers like Gordon Willis and Canadian cinematographer Sara Mishara reinforced her interest in cinematography[2]. Her education at Concordia also helped her build connections in the industry, which then helped launch her career after graduation[2].
Career
editJessica Lee Gagné began her career in cinematography by working on independent films, gaining early recognition for working on her friend Chloé Robichaud's film Sarah Prefers to Run (2013), which was selected for screening at Cannes Film Festival[4]. After working on other films and short films, she transitioned to television with Escape at Dannemora (2018), directed by Ben Stiller, which served as an important moment in her career[5]. Her collaboration with Stiller continued with the TV show Severance (2022), which earned her recognition for creating a unique visual style[6].
As a woman director of photography in a male-dominated industry, Gagné has openly discussed the challenges she has faced, especially when working outside of Montreal[1]. She has emphasized that representation matters, particularly when younger women see her behind the camera[7]. She believes it is important to break stereotypes about what roles women can play in the film industry, and her work as a director of photography has gained her respect in a field where women remain underrepresented[7].
Films
edit| Year | Title | Director |
| 2013 | Sarah préfère la course (Sarah Prefers to Run) | Chloé Robichaud |
| 2013 | Fermières (All that We Make) | Annie St-Pierre |
| 2014 | Que ta joie demeure (Joy of Man’s Desiring) | Denis Coté |
| 2015 | Malgré la nuit (Despite the Night) | Philippe Grandrieux |
| 2015 | Boris sans Béatrice (Boris Without Beatrice) | Denis Coté |
| 2016 | Pays (Boundaries) | Chloé Robichaud |
| 2017 | Sweet Virginia | Jamie M. Dagg |
| 2017 | Daddy | Ashim Ahluwalia |
| 2018 | La Version nouvelle | Michael Yaroshevsky |
| 2020 | All day and a Night | Joe Robert Cole |
Short Films
edit| Year | Title | Director |
| 2012 | Chef de meute (Herd Leader) | Chloé Robichaud |
| 2015 | Chelem | Charles Grenier |
| 2016 | Tout simplement | Raphaël Ouellet |
| 2016 | Anime | Arnaud Brisebois |
| 2018 | From Its Mouth Came a River of High End Residential Appliances | Jon Wang |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Director |
| 2018 | Escape at Dannemora | Ben Stiller |
| 2022 | Severance | Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle |
| Award | Year | Title | Result |
| Filmfare Awards | 2018 | Daddy | Nominated |
| Canadian Screen Awards | 2015 | Fermières | Nominated |
| Kamera Oko | 2016 | Malgré la nuit | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b Burnett, Richard (9 January 2019). "Up on the silver screen with cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné". Concordia University.
- ^ a b c d e f Mulcahey, Matt (21 November 2018). "Escape at Dannemora: Q&A With Cinematographer Jessica Lee Gagné". American Cinematographer.
- ^ "Jessica Lee Gagné Is a Scientist of Cinematography". IndieWire. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b Duchesne, André (22 April 2020). "Le chapitre américain de Jessica Lee Gagné". La Presse.
- ^ Papineau, Philippe (23 March 2018). "Une directrice photo québécoise sur Showtime". Le Devoir.
- ^ Thomas, Eve (7 September 2022). "Jessica Lee Gagné's Work-Life Balance". Elle.
- ^ a b Gardiner, Margaret (18 October 2018). "Jessica Lee Gagne: Director of Photography, Action Woman". Golden Globes.
- ^ a b "Jessica Lee Gagné". IMDb. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Jessica Lee Gagné". MUBI. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Jessica Lee Gagné". Filmaffinity. Retrieved 20 October 2024.