THE CATALINA CASINO

            Along with my producers, director and dedicated crew, I visited this amazing landmark on Catalina Island yesterday as part of an Avalon-wide location scout.             Entering the 20,000 square-foot Casino Ballroom took my breath away.  It’s one of those rare places, the likes of which will never be constructed again.  We didn’t spend too … Continue reading “THE CATALINA CASINO”

8.30.2022

A PESSIMIST’S VIEW?

            Seth Godin is an author, popular blogster and businessman.  He once posted his assessment of how every medium evolves:             “The technicians who invented it, run it.             Technicians with taste, leverage it.             Artists take over from the technicians.             MBA’s take over from the artists.             Bureaucrats drive the medium to banality. … Continue reading “A PESSIMIST’S VIEW?”

8.26.2022

BOLDNESS CINEMATOGRAFIED

            I caught Clint Eastwood’s The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) on TCM last Sunday night and couldn’t help but marvel at the work of cinematographer Bruce Surtees.  As the son of three-time Oscar winner Robert Surtees, ASC (Ben Hur, The Graduate, The Last Picture Show, The Sting) and a longtime collaborator of Eastwood’s, he certainly … Continue reading “BOLDNESS CINEMATOGRAFIED”

8.23.2022

HE’S RIGHT…

            These words of French director Robert Bresson (1901-1999) always resonate with me when I start a new project.  I’ve been on both sides of the equation on innumerable occasions, and the real challenge has often been in convincing others of its truth.             “Someone who can work with the minimum can work with the … Continue reading “HE’S RIGHT…”

8.19.2022

TRUER WORDS…

            Over the weekend I stumbled across this little exchange between Orson Welles and the great cinematographer Greg Toland, ASC.  It took place during the making of Citizen Kane in 1940.  Neither man requires any introduction.             Welles: “Isn’t it basically ridiculous that the film is in the camera?”             Toland: “Yes.  Eventually it will … Continue reading “TRUER WORDS…”

8.16.2022

INCONGRUOUS? I THINK NOT…

            It’s amusingly ironic that the legendary Federico Fellini – a director who never held back on extravagance – is the author of the following statement:             “I don’t believe in total freedom for the artist.  Left on his own, free to do anything he likes, the artist ends up doing nothing at all.  If … Continue reading “INCONGRUOUS? I THINK NOT…”

8.12.2022

STUDENT QUICK TIP #19

            Approach prep the same way you would your health.  Small investments made now will pay large dividends later.             I can’t overemphasize the importance of squeezing as much as you can from every minute during prep!             Over my career I’ve had periods of up to six months (and as little as three weeks) … Continue reading “STUDENT QUICK TIP #19”

8.9.2022

A QUOTE TOO FAR…?

            If you’ve followed this blog to any extent, you’ve noticed that lately I’ve been exploring cinematography from an odd tangent, with quotes and observations from people outside our immediate community.  At first, I hesitated to wander down that road, but there was no need for indecision.  While their sentiments may not seem relevant on … Continue reading “A QUOTE TOO FAR…?”

8.5.2022

PINCH HITTER

            I’m busy prepping a pilot, so today the great French director François Truffaut (1932-1984) will do my talking for me.             His seemingly casual observations carry a lot of weight and are worthy of your attention.  While Truffaut is nominally speaking to fellow directors, they fall in line for cinematographers as well!             It’s … Continue reading “PINCH HITTER”

8.2.2022