The Dune: Part Two cinematographer was inspired by surfing videos for Sandworm Ride

The cameraman behind it Dune: Part Two has revealed how he modeled the film's sandworm ride scene using surfing and avalanche videos.

Denis Villeneuve's 2021 sequel dune follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, as he allies with the Fremen people of the desert planet to reclaim their land.

In one of the most epic scenes of Dune: Part TwoAtreides rides his first sandworm through the desert, proving he is capable of leading the Fremen against the forces of House Harkonnen and the Emperor.

In an interview with diversity, Dune: Part Two Cinematographer Greg Fraser has revealed that the sandworm riding sequence took an incredible 44 days to film.

Fraser also explained that he took inspiration from surfing videos to capture the intense, dynamic feel of the pivotal scene in which Atreides gains acceptance from the Fremen.

The cameraman says that natural light was important to him and Dune: Part Two Director Villeneuve because it made the sandworm riding scene seem real.

“In the film world, we can tell the actors where the director of Daylight comes from,” says Fraser diversity.

“You watch a movie and rarely see anyone in the front light. You mostly see people backlit, which is a bit magical, but we do it and get away with it.

“It was important that the sun came from one direction, and it is very clear where the sun is coming from because there is a lit side of the sand dune and a shaded side, meaning we couldn't cheat with this placement.”

So Fraser shot the entire worm riding scene in natural daylight.

“It removes one of the artificial pieces. Making films is artificial,” explains Fraser. “So if you can eliminate one or two of these factors, then that means we have the ability to immerse ourselves and suspend disbelief for 10 minutes or two hours.”

Fraser shared that he and Villeneuve looked to avalanche footage, surfing videos and clips of wave extinctions for inspiration when planning the scene's visual elements.

“It was very, very difficult to find a reference for it [the sandworm riding scene] should look like,” says the cameraman diversity.

“We watched avalanche videos and surfing videos quite extensively [and] We tried to see what it would be like if Paul was literally under water, but in this case under sand.”