Monster Series: Capturing Gein's Dark Legacy

Michael Bauman, cinematographer for "Monster: The Ed Gein Story," shares his deep connection to the serial killer's legend, having grown up hearing local tales. The Netflix series, from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, is noted for its precise period detail and narrative boldness, even featuring fictionalized appearances by directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Tobe Hooper. Bauman's approach to lighting was heavily influenced by historical documentation, focusing on period-appropriate sources such as kerosene lamps due to Gein's rural upbringing.

The visual style also captures a stark Midwestern winter, a challenging feat since interiors were shot on a California stage while exteriors were filmed in Illinois. The crew successfully recreated snowy conditions, even when temperatures rose, requiring extensive use of artificial snow. Bauman and production designer Matthew Flood Ferguson used Gein's house as a narrative tool, employing "frames within frames" through windows and doorways to create dread and claustrophobia. The Emmy-nominated "Buxom Bird" episode exemplifies this, masterfully revealing horrors. Close-ups, achieved with vintage lenses, highlight Charlie Hunnam's nuanced performance as Gein, emphasizing his complex torment.