EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Lee Gagné, one of many breakout abilities behind Apple TV+’s popular culture sensation Severance, has taken on new reps at Sugar23 and CAA at a pivotal second in her profession.
Not too long ago making her directorial debut on Severance Season 2 with Episode 7, “Chikhai Bardo,” Gagné started her journey with the present because the cinematographer of your entire first season. For the uninitiated, the present is a company thriller following workers on the shadowy Lumon Industries, who endure a process that splits their consciousness in two. Their work selves, or “Innies,” don’t have any idea of their lives past the confines of Lumon, whereas their outer world (or “Outie”) selves are oblivious to what goes on at work.
Garnering rave evaluations when it premiered late final month, the Gagné-directed “Chikhai Bardo” provides new perception into each the previous and current of Lumon worker Mark S. (Adam Scott), in addition to his spouse Gemma (Dichen Lachman), who he believed up until not too long ago was lifeless, however seems to be on the heart of Lumon’s plans. Whereas serving to to unravel among the present’s mysteries, the episode takes Severance‘s visuals to new heights of ambition with a oner mentioned throughout the web, which it’s onerous to imagine was executed totally within the absence of CGI. Along with directing, Gagné shot the episode herself and can be submitting it for awards consideration this season, we’ve discovered.
Heading into Season 2 of Severance, Gagné was additionally elevated to a producer position in recognition of her distinctive contributions to the collection. Lensing six of this season’s 10 episodes, she got here to collaborate on the collection with director and govt producer Ben Stiller after working as his DP on his Emmy-nominated Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora. He’s been a constant champion of her work ever since, taking to X final month to salute her “good directorial debut.”
With over 15 years as a cinematographer underneath her belt, Gagné has additionally beforehand shot Mrs. America, the Emmy Award-winning restricted collection from FX, in addition to quite a few music movies and movies which have been acknowledged at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Berlin. Notable characteristic titles embrace All Day and a Evening and Candy Virginia. For the artist, movie is within the DNA, having grown up spending summers working on the video shops of her father in her hometown of Quebec Metropolis.
Severance surpassed Ted Lasso upon its Season 2 launch to develop into Apple’s most watched collection ever, and was not too long ago picked up for Season 3. Keep tuned to seek out out what else Gagné has in retailer.
