HARD LIGHT BRILLIANCE

            If you had the privilege to have met Stanley Cortez, ASC (1908-1997), you’d know that he was an unforgettable figure.  Tall, elegantly turned out and possessed of an imposing demeanor, there was nothing about him that betrayed his New York City roots or his birth name of Stanislaus Krantz.  Instead, he projected an air … Continue reading “HARD LIGHT BRILLIANCE”

9.29.2020

LIGHTING DIAGRAM #9 – ISHTAR

            This scene takes place in a basement apartment and was shot on a set at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens.  It was a cramped space that was made to seem all the more so by the limited shot selection used in the final cut of the film.  Find it at the 00:08:41 mark…             … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #9 – ISHTAR”

9.25.2020

ARCHIVING AND RESTORATION

            For all the time, effort and emotion we put into our work, why is it that we so rarely address the archiving and restoration of our images?  With more than half of all films shot prior to 1950 lost to deterioration, misplacement or the trash bin, the situation demands immediate attention.  And if anyone … Continue reading “ARCHIVING AND RESTORATION”

9.22.2020

PRESTON STURGES’ 11 RULES FOR BOX OFFICE APPEAL

            It’s unfortunate that Preston Sturges – one of Hollywood’s first great writer\directors – is essentially forgotten by today’s audience.  There’s plenty of information to be found about him on the web, so I’ll just say that his unique voice spanned a checkered career that burned out way too early.  Nonetheless, he enjoyed a period … Continue reading “PRESTON STURGES’ 11 RULES FOR BOX OFFICE APPEAL”

9.15.2020

LIGHTING DIAGRAM #7 – ISHTAR

            I still have quite a few Presumed Innocent charts to post but decided it was time to change things up a bit.  Fear not, however.  Eventually the entire catalog (as well as many others illustrating different examples of Gordon Willis’ work) will find their way onto the blog!             A second great learning period … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #7 – ISHTAR”

9.11.2020

LIGHTING DIAGRAM #6 – PRESUMED INNOCENT

            Harrison Ford’s character Rusty Sabich has an illicit, after-hours rendezvous with colleague Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi) in her office; find it at 0:44:25…             This’s a really interesting example of single-source, indirect lighting (save for the 10K noted outside the window, the other units are inconsequential).  That the illumination in the room comes from … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #6 – PRESUMED INNOCENT”

9.4.2020

TECHNOLOGY IS THE MEANS, NOT THE END – PART 1

            I recently watched two movies in quick succession, The Dark Corner (1946, photographed by Joseph MacDonald, ASC) and Odds Against Tomorrow (1959, photographed by Joseph Brun, ASC).  Both were film noir, black and white B-titles, pedestrian stories at best (though expertly crafted and thoroughly enjoyable).  What makes them worthy of comment is the undeniable … Continue reading “TECHNOLOGY IS THE MEANS, NOT THE END – PART 1”

9.1.2020