Behind the apocalypse: The Last of Us Cinematography visits MetFilm School
By MetFilm School
14 April 2025
There’s a tremendous amount of hype building for the second season of The Last of Us, and students on our MA Cinematography had the benefit of behind-the-scenes insights from the man behind the camera, Eben Bolter.
Eben shared his creative process and career journey, from his early days shooting corporate videos to becoming the cinematographer on one of the most talked-about TV series of the decade.
“I shot fifty short films in one year. That was the year I decided to go all-in and become a full-time cinematographer. Every single job was a learning experience.”
Creative process and cinematic choices
Naturally, The Last of Us dominated the discussion, particularly Eben’s creative influences and technical decision-making on the show. He cited Children of Men and Chernobyl as key stylistic influences and discussed his approach to creating a lo-fi, grounded aesthetic that reflected the series’ frozen-in-time world.
“Large format and nice lenses are fashionable, but we didn’t want to overdo it. Less was more. And I think the reception of the show clarified that this was the right approach.”
For MA Cinematography students, this industry example of balancing artistic vision with narrative needs revealed the kinds of decisions they’ll face in their own careers.
The business behind the lens
Eben also highlighted the industry side of cinematography, something our postgraduate courses aim to prepare students for as they move from an academic environment into production sets.
“Being a cinematographer is 50% art and 50% business. The film industry is a machine, and you’re a part of it.”
This concept resonated particularly with students from non-traditional backgrounds or those coming to cinematography from other careers – a key audience for our MA programmes in Berlin, Leeds, and London.
Looking ahead
As The Last of Us gears up for its highly anticipated second season, Eben’s final advice was to stay true to yourself creatively, and to remember that no path into the industry is the same.
“Everyone’s got their own journey. The most important thing is the story. Be part of the team, put the story first and use each project as a stepping stone.”
Want to learn from industry experts like Eben?
At MetFilm School, our MA Cinematography course offers students the chance to develop advanced skills in visual storytelling, while learning from some of the best in the business through regular masterclasses, workshops, and real industry briefs.
Students are able to develop technical and creative skills in camera, lighting, and post-production to an industry standard and have opportunities to work on professional shoots and collaborate across departments on a course that is led by active industry professionals.
Apply now to study MA Cinematography in Berlin, Leeds, or London and take your next step into the screen industries.
