Cinematography is a craft that nobody pictures women in.
You have to present a certain way and carry yourself a certain way.
The feature is set for theatrical release on Christmas Day.
Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry in The Fire InsideAmazon MGM Studios
DEADLINE: How did you come aboardThe Fire Insideas director?
She brought it to Barry to write the screenplay.
Barry always felt a female director was right for this one.
Rachel Morrison at the Deadline Contenders Film: Los Angeles held at the Directors Guild of America on November 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
I wasnt scared of working with actors.
I was scared of this part.
Im always a part of the supporting cast.
I was like, Alright.
To be fair with this script, it did speak to me.
It spoke to me because it was such an important story.
Its so inspiring, so needed.
I couldnt believe I didnt know Claressas story.
Barry apparently didnt either.
So Im used to being the exception to the rule.
You have to present a certain way and carry yourself a certain way.
DEADLINE: Though this is your directorial debut, you have this illustrious work in TV and cinematography beforehand.
When did you decide to enter the TV space by directingThe Morning Show,The Mandalorianand such?
I assume that was more of a natural segue than jumping straight into feature films.
MORRISON:I was given an opportunity by John Ridley, who wrote12 Years a Slave.
We had a conversation at the Indie Spirit Awards a million years ago.
He would like me to direct an episode ofAmerican Crime Story.
Here, I was being offered the keys to the castle.
Again, it was like, this person I respect sees something in me.
So, I said, why dont I see where this leads?
I did that, and it went well.
Then, I did another episode for him the next season.
Then, the floodgates of episodic directing opened.
So, somehow, I found myself on a journey I never set out on.
I called my directing agents and was like, Dont call me, Ill call you.
Few people were making these big scope-y dramas, which is what Id always wanted to do.
We shut down for a while, but the shows were shooting in LA.
Im proud of all these shows.
I grew from them.
MORRISON:Seeing how various audience members respond has been incredible.
People dont cry at the same moments, right?
Some middle-aged white men were in tears.
So, when it works, theres something so rewarding about it.
We need to see Black women win, which is a whole other level.
Its all been so humbling, beautiful and inspiring.
DEADLINE: How do you relate Claressas experience to your own career?
You made history by being the first female cinematographer to be nominated at the Oscars in 2018.
So, in a way, youre also this coincidental trailblazer.
What are some things that keep you going when winning isnt enough?
Nobody works harder than she does.
The memorable things are the times that Ive taken chances on myself.
Where I wanted to be was [making] a version ofFruitvale Station.
I had a conversation with Ilyse McKimmie and inadvertently described my perfect movie.
A year later, Ryan was looking for a DP and was talking to her about it.
Most people would think that was crazy.
There are probably moments where I have questioned it myself, but I also always believe in pushing.
My life is short, and I want to keep growing.
I want to keep learning.
I want to keep challenging myself.
This story was worth taking a chance on.
I didnt know it would be this much time, but this film felt worth it.
Talk about that experience of adapting Claressas story.
MORRISON:Shes very opinionated [laughs].
I placed an inordinate amount of pressure on myself to get it right.
So, I wanted it to feel true for her all the while were compressing time into 109 minutes.
If this goes well, we are really putting this out in the world.
She completely signed off there.
Ironically, at the time, she was like, But I destroyed everybody at the Olympics.
She was like, OK, I get it.
DEADLINE: Talk about this dynamic you helped craft between Brian Tyree Henry and Ryan Destiny.
Specifically, Im thinking about their arguments.
They feel so realistic between them as a close pair, coach and student.
[It means] always mirroring back the emotional arc through the camera work.
A lot of what people are feeling between them is just a deeply subjective, intimate camera.
Youre in the moment together with the characters.
Youre in the ring together.
Youre in the fight together.
The chemistry between Brian and Ryan was palpable.
It was really magnetic.
And then, in terms of humanity, some of that is their performance for sure.
Weve all seen Brian play these larger-than-life, amazingly magnetic characters with charisma, and all the things.
But to see him be human and grounded is a whole other level, right?
Then, the gift we all had was this documentary based on these real people.
So, we had a blessing of being able to humanize things that way to get those performances.
DEADLINE: What would you like audiences to take away from this film?
MORRISON:For me, its all about resilience and inspiration.
I want this movie to have a reach.
I want people who need the messaging to understand why it can be trickier to be a female athlete.
Its not as simple as the physical differences.
Its this whole other beast of having to be perceived through these other lenses.
