In The Deep Shade

In the Deep Shade celebrates simplicity. No captions. No flash-cuts. No voiceover. With a photographer’s eye, poetic sensibility and painterly aesthetic, Masterson examines the ever-evolving relationship between five musicians who’ve known each other for many years. That’s the story, and in its understated way, it’s an uncommon one.
“It’s certainly not a conventional documentary that sets up conflict and then resolves it,” Masterson says. “From the very beginning I decided this was a poetic film that would not be afraid to take liberties with linear narrative. I am personally jaded by literal documentaries that seize on a traditional story strand and make the entire film based on conflict and drama to manipulate an audience. What appealed to me was the chemistry and the family spirit that they all have. I’m hoping that it can be seen as a film about a collective whose chief concern is playing music well. I think it’s rare to have a collection of high-achieving, talented men who have worked together for this long and are still healthy.”