HowHamiltonbrought its 'Hurricane' from stage to screen

Lin-Manuel Miranda and director Thomas Kail break down one of the filmed production’s pivotal moments.

They knew who these characters were in a way that was profound, it was molecular.

So, I didn’t need to tell anybody to do more or to do less.

Hamilton

I just told them to do their show.

We were six inches away from Lin with a Steadicam.

But, he continues with a laugh, thats not what Hamilton does here.

Hamilton

The scene begins in a moment of stillness, with Hamilton in the eye of his own personal storm.

Everyone is in repose in the very beginning of the number, says Kail.

Then, the stages turntable starts moving and the number comes alive, bringing the audience inside his mind.

Hamilton

It’s also a moment that feels like you’ve got the option to create that stillness.

I think that that creates a sense of anticipation for what’s about to come.

There’s an activity to his thinking that becomes physicalized.

But knowing cameras are there and are recording this for all time does change the equation for you.

It’s, I think, one of the most stunning tableaus in the show.

It’s like a CAT scan physicalized in time.

It always sort of knocks me flat.

I really love how Tommy captured it on film.