Ben Staley and Jou-Jou: Making Single-Shooter Anamorphic Documentaries a Reality
For decades, the cinematic appeal of anamorphic shooting was reserved for big-budget productions and teams with larger resources. Heavy, costly lenses, along with the technical challenges of handling them, made it impractical for most independent filmmakers—especially single-shooter projects. Enter the LUMIX GH7 and the Laowa Nanomorph 1.5x anamorphic lens. These tools have transformed the field, making it easier than ever for a single shooter to create an anamorphic documentary.
When filmmaker Ben Staley set out to create Jou-Jou, a visually captivating short project centered around professional yo-yoing, he embraced this new reality. Armed with the compact GH7 and a 20mm Nanomorph lens, he captured the artistry of yo-yoing with both clarity and cinematic style in ARRI LogC3. Staley transformed what might have been a niche concept into a compelling visual narrative, all while operating as a solo shooter.
“I thought it would be cool to show up with an anamorphic lens and a modern camera to shoot some really fancy-looking footage,” Staley said. “It’s something we couldn’t have even dreamed of doing 20 years ago.”
The Laowa Nanomorph 1.5x Lens: Anamorphic Made Accessible
Traditionally, anamorphic lenses have been heavy, expensive, and unwieldy—factors that kept them out of reach for many independent filmmakers. The Laowa Nanomorph 1.5x lens changes that narrative. Compact, lightweight, and affordable, it delivers the stunning cinematic qualities of anamorphic shooting while being easy to handle and perfect for on-the-go filmmaking. With options for different lens mounts and colored flares—amber, blue, and silver—it also allows filmmakers to craft a unique anamorphic look, adding an extra layer of creative expression to every shot. The GH7’s versatile squeeze factors and Laowa’s optical performance allowed Staley to capture a cinematic look without compromising mobility or budget.
The lens’s silver flare added a unique visual touch, particularly in outdoor shots where Staley aimed directly into the sun. With a T2.2 aperture at 240-fps, he did not use ND filters, adjusting the lens to f/5.6 or f/8 for optimal exposure in bright conditions. Its sturdy build and intuitive manual focus design made it an ideal companion for run-and-gun filmmaking. “The build quality of the Nanomorph is outstanding,” Staley said. “It’s small, sturdy, and easy to use, even without attachments like a follow focus.”
Paired With The LUMIX GH7 to Make A Solo Filmmaker’s Dream
The GH7 became the cornerstone of Jou-Jou’s production. Known for its compact size and advanced features, the GH7 is tailor-made for single operators. For Staley, its ability to shoot 240 frames per second in 1080p was critical to capturing the fast-paced movements of the yo-yos.
What made the GH7 particularly unique for Staley was its ability to de-squeeze anamorphic footage directly in-camera. This eliminated the need for external monitors and gave him real-time feedback while framing his shots. He described it as a “game-changer,” especially for a single-shooter working without a crew.
Together, the GH7 and Nanomorph lens created a setup that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago—a single-shooter rig capable of producing high-quality anamorphic footage with minimal gear.
The Future of Anamorphic Shooting for All
The result of Staley’s work, Jou-Jou, is far more than a yo-yo video. It shows how filmmaking technology has become more accessible and how creative limits can inspire great work. The horizontal flares, wide screen format, and high frame rate combine to highlight the artistry of yo-yoing in a way that feels both intimate and epic. “I haven’t seen images like this before, especially of yo-yoing,” Staley reflected. “It’s hard to do something unique, but I think we pulled it off.”
Staley’s experience with Jou-Jou underscores a significant shift in the filmmaking landscape. What was once the exclusive domain of well-funded productions is now accessible to independent filmmakers and single operators. The GH7 and Nanomorph lens have lowered the barriers to entry, enabling a new generation of storytellers to experiment with anamorphic shooting.
For filmmakers seeking to push creative boundaries without a team or heavy equipment, the combination of the GH7 and Nanomorph lens represents a game-changing opportunity. Jou-Jou is proof that single-shooter anamorphic documentaries are no longer a dream—they’re accessible now.
Disclaimer: This article is based on original content authored by Neil Matsumoto. With the author’s consent, the article has been edited and trimmed. All rights and credits for the original work remain with Neil Matsumoto.
More About the Nanomorph Family
Nanomorph 1.5X LF Anamorphic Series
The Nanomorph LF 1.5X Anamorphic set is a professional-grade series of lenses designed to cover Large Format and Full Frame sensors, delivering a consistent 1.5x squeeze ratio. These lenses provide exceptional image quality, ideal for theatrical productions and high-end films. It targets delivering exceptional image quality for theatrical and high-end film projects. This series redefines anamorphic capabilities with ease of access for a broad scope of filmmakers.
Laowa Nanomorph 1.5X Anamorphic Zoom Series
Gone are the days when owning an anamorphic zoom lens seemed unattainable. In the past, these lenses were known for their heavyweight, limiting their versatility in usage. However, with the introduction of the Nanomorph Zoom, the game has changed. The Nanomorph 1.5X Anamorphic Zoom Series is the most compact, versatile and lightweight anamorphic zoom series for S35 sensors.
Nanomorph 1.5X Anamorphic [60mm T2.9 Macro 1:2]
The world’s first 60mm 0.5X Macro Anamorphic lens for S35 sensors. Combined with the T2.9 large aperture, the Nanomorph 60mm allows for a more incredibly shallow depth of field, resulting in stunning cinematic footage that is normally unachievable without diopters. This lens greatly enhances creative possibilities in productions and offers a fresh approach to storytelling.
