Year: 2021

            Here’s a good example of Gordon Willis’ use of the bay light.             This unit had been around the industry in a variety of configurations and names (‘coop’ lights, soft boxes, etc) for decades until he saved it from obscurity during the shooting of The Godfather in 1971.  Find this scene at the 0:32:06 … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #25 – THE MONEY PIT”

            I’ve always been of mixed mind regarding zoom lenses, though there’s no longer any reason to be that way.  It probably goes back to my early training when their optical quality fell short of primes and cinematographers regarded them warily.  For a long time zoom choices were limited – the 1970’s and ’80’s workhorses … Continue reading “ZOOM IN ON THIS…”

            I initially planned to begin posting another cinematography giant’s lighting diagrams this week, but a glance over The Money Pit batch changed my mind.  This was a different kind of film for Gordon Willis, ASC, a full-on comedy that called for a much softer touch than the one used for Presumed Innocent’s murder mystery.  … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #24 – THE MONEY PIT”

            I was speaking with the legendary Conrad Hall, ASC a few years before he passed away and he was bemoaning the lack of serious films being made at the time.  There was always fun to be had watching popcorn movies he admitted, but occasionally we need to see something with a little more substance.  … Continue reading “THE 7 MOST DEPRESSING FILMS OF ALL TIME”

            Happy New Year…!             Jeff Daniels’ character Ted Baxter (a 1930’s movie star who has stepped off the screen and into real life) tries to explain himself to several other characters.  This scene takes place in an empty church.  Find it at the 00:45:17 mark on the DVD.             This scene provides an example … Continue reading “LIGHTING DIAGRAM #23 – THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO”