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James Kniest

@jkniest

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Cinematographer based in LA 🎥 The Devil’s Mouth, The Haunting of Bly Manor, American Horror Stories, Annabelle + More
📩 [email protected]

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The Art of Horror Cinematography
Join cinematographers Lowell A. Meyer (Other Mommy) and James Kniest (Annabelle) for an illuminating conversation on the art of horror cinematography, exploring visual storytelling, lighting, camera movement, atmosphere and the creative choices that bring suspense and fear to the screen.

Presented by
@shotdeck
Moderated by Michael Valinsky @themakingofshow

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 7:00 PM PDT
📍The Filmmaker Lounge

For more info visit www.screamfestla.com
#filmfestival #filmmakers #cinematography by @jkniest

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20 days ago

My summer 2025 office 🌊🦈 @nowscreamingpv taken in Devils Mouth by @jkniest

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a month ago

Average day on set at @nowscreamingpv 🦈🎥 taken in Thailand by @jkniest

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2 months ago

✨🎙️NEW EPISODE 🎙️✨

How do you shoot a movie in remote Thailand when so much of the story happens on, in and under the water? 🎥🌊

We’re going behind the scenes of The Devil’s Mouth with cinematographer James Kniest.

James takes us inside an incredibly ambitious shoot, from hauling equipment through caves, rivers and mud to building custom underwater lights when the production needed solutions that simply didn’t exist.

It’s a fascinating look at the creativity and problem-solving happening just outside the frame.

Our conversation with James Kniest is out now and available on YouTube and wherever you find podcasts!

The Devil’s Mouth is now available on Prime Video.

#TheDevilsMouth #JamesKniest #BehindTheScenes #Cinematography #Filmmaking FilmProduction PrimeVideo SuspendersUnbuttoned by @jkniest

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2 months ago

Following five college friends exploring a shark-filled underwater cave system in Thailand, The Devil’s Mouth — directed by Jeff Wadlow for Amazon Prime Video — takes the action below the surface across ambitious underwater locations and expansive sets. To capture it all, DP James Kniest reunited with Wadlow, utilizing the Sony VENICE 2, VENICE 2 Extension System, and FX3 to blend real-world locations with large-scale set pieces.

“What I love so much is the Sony family of cameras that they are just compatible all the way through,” Kniest said. “It’s so comforting to know that there are different tools, depending on your situation, that open up another world of, ‘Hey, we have all kinds of affordable, approachable, readily available tools to cover an action scene or a stunt scene.’”

Check out our stories and the link in our bio for the full interview with Kniest to see how he crafted this underwater horror/thriller. #SonyCine #SonyVENICE2 #SonyFX3 by @jkniest

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2 months ago

This week's episode with the wonderful @jkniest is live! Go get it wherever you get it!

www.frameandrefpod.com by @jkniest

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2 months ago

WORTH THE WAIT 🦈 Devil’s Mouth is out now on @primevideo🩸🌊 @nowscreamingpv @jeffwadlow taken in Devils Mouth by @jkniest

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3 months ago

🫦 THE DEVIL’S MOUTH @nowscreamingpv
Streaming on Prime Video @primevideo

Directed by Jeff Wadlow @jeffwadlow
✨ Cinematography by James Kniest @jkniest
#artistry #JamesKniest by @jkniest

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3 months ago

In our latest interview, cinematographer James Kniest ( @jkniest )takes us behind the scenes of “The Devil’s Mouth”, a shark thriller shot in Thailand and directed by Jeff Wadlow( @jeffwadlow ) The film hits Amazon Prime today!

With over 90% of the film shot on, in or under the water, James needed lenses that could withstand the elements, handle harsh flare from the actors’ headlamps, and allow quick reframing without ever leaving the water housing.
Running four cameras simultaneously, two of them fully submerged, each water housing carried either an Angénieux EZ-1 or EZ-2, with an EZ-3 shared between them for longer shots.

James also turned to the Angénieux Optimo Ultra 12x, using its full focal range to shoot an entire day of river kayaking in a single continuous pass, from a wide group shot to a close follow on one character, then reframing wide again before zooming into a small story detail.

“ You get a lot of coverage this way and your actors are not forced to do many takes of something physical and potentially exhausting or dangerous like running a kayak down the river. “

👉 Read our full interview with James Kniest via the link in bio!

Credits:
Lionsgate Film @lionsgate  Living Films (the Thai service company) @livingfilms  Jeff Wadlow (Director), Chris Lowenstein (Living Films) @living_chris  Obb Siricharoenjit (Living Films) PRODUCTION MANAGER: Padchar “Boom” Kongsillawat Rattakarn, Owner of Lifeboat Camera Gear Head, camera rental in Bangkok @gearheadthailand by @jkniest

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3 months ago

by @jkniest

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a year ago

Gotta love warm summer nights for a beach cruise! @jaydens__daddy thanks for help with all the upgrades to the old girl 2005 #fxstdi #deuce #harleydavidson taken in Manhattan Beach, California by @jkniest

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2 years ago

Tradition. Thanks @abel1212
Great seats ! Great game ! @dodgers by @jkniest

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2 years ago