MORE ’70’S CINEMATOGRAPHY

            Recently I rediscovered a trio of films I hadn’t thought about for quite some time.  Each one – Scarecrow (shot by Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC), Slither (photographed by Laszlo Kovacs, ASC), and The Last Detail (cinematography by Michael Chapman, ASC) was released in 1973 and reminds us of what a fantastic period that was for … Continue reading “MORE ’70’S CINEMATOGRAPHY”

3.30.2021

LIGHTING DIAGRAM #35 – ISHTAR

            Charles Grodin’s CIA operative Jim Harrison listens in on his prey from a cramped surveillance van.  Find this piece around the 00:47:20 mark…             This was a deceptively complex shot to light, as are all shots that take place within unusually confined spaces.  The problem is not just related to the size of the … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #35 – ISHTAR”

3.26.2021

READ THIS BOOK #4

            Neil Leifer – Ballet In the Dirt: The Golden Age of Baseball             Taschen (2007)             Spring training is in full swing…the new season beckons…             Like most baseball fans I picked up the obsession early, courtesy of my Dad.  His fellowship with the New York Yankees was formed during their glory years and … Continue reading “READ THIS BOOK #4”

3.23.2021

LIGHTING DIAGRAM #34 – ISHTAR

            Another day, another restaurant scene with Dustin Hoffman and Charles Grodin sitting across a table from each other.  This one was shot on stage at Kaufman Astoria Studios and was set at night.  Find it at the 00:40:42 mark…             The diagram begins with the shot that gets Hoffman into the restaurant and quickly … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #34 – ISHTAR”

3.19.2021

HOW TO BECOME AN ASC MEMBER

            It’s simple.  Work very hard and be among the best at what you do.             But there’s also a little more…             The ASC is an invitation only organization.  Membership is open to directors of photography who have been engaged as such for no less than five years within the last eight years preceding … Continue reading “HOW TO BECOME AN ASC MEMBER”

3.16.2021

LIGHTING DIAGRAM #33 – ISHTAR

            Warren Beatty’s Lyle Rogers tussles with Isabelle Adjani’s character of the revolutionary Shirra Assel after she breaks into his hotel room.  It’s nighttime and this’s a beautifully realized example of low-key photography.  Find it at the 00:36:36 mark…             This scene is made up of many cuts and took a long time to shoot.  … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #33 – ISHTAR”

3.12.2021

THE FLAW’S THE THING

            The great star Dustin Hoffman – late of the Ishtar lighting diagrams – was quoted in The Independent as saying that today’s feature films are the worst they’ve been in 50 years.  Mindless tentpole movies and a scarcity in the mainstream of thoughtful, character-driven films of the type he built his career on make … Continue reading “THE FLAW’S THE THING”

3.9.2021

LIGHTING DIAGRAM #32 – ISHTAR

            Another scene with two people engaged in dialogue across the dinner table.  This time Hoffman and Charles Grodin have at it in an Arab restaurant.  Find it at the 00:30:23 mark…             Beautiful Storaro light…  Soft and natural but still packing some directional punch, thanks to the ever-popular 650W 9-light fays (double-diffused through multiple … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #32 – ISHTAR”

3.5.2021

YES, LESS IS ALWAYS MORE

            Gordon Willis, ASC claimed that it took him thirty years to learn how to be simple.  That didn’t make sense when I first heard it as a young assistant cameraman, but now that I’ve been shooting for longer than that I understand exactly what he meant.  Granted, he was referring to the inner process … Continue reading “YES, LESS IS ALWAYS MORE”

3.2.2021