The cinematography of Netflix’s American Primeval is as raw and relentless as the story itself. In this behind-the-scenes spotlight, DP Jacques Jouffret, ASC, reveals how he and director Peter Berg captured the show’s unfiltered look—built on instinct, movement, and emotion in real time.

Scene Breakdown with Jouffret

“The most important element to him with the name of the show [American] Primeval was to express the brutality of that period of time—he didn’t want to sugarcoat it in any way, shape, or form,” Jouffret explains. That commitment to raw realism shaped everything about the production. In this clip, Jouffret breaks down a key scene that embodies Berg’s fast, free-flowing directing style. With no fixed marks and a constantly moving camera, the crew had to stay agile, both physically and creatively. The result? Sweeping landscapes, intimate performances, and instinctive cinematography built around emotion.

Scene Two – Crafting the Visual Grit

This video dives deeper into the brutal beauty of the show’s aesthetic. Shot in challenging conditions and dying light, the team leaned heavily on the RED V-RAPTOR for its full-frame, compact design that could get up close, even in tough terrain. Whether tracking fast- moving actors or capturing stillness at the golden hour, the camera never got in the way. It simply delivered. “The best moments aren’t always planned,” says Jouffret. “You have to be ready to react— and trust your tools.”