Year: 2024

         This snippet from the Hollywood Bulletin Board column in the April 1957 issue of American Cinematographer proves that ignorance and irresponsibility on part of award-granting organizations is nothing new.  Apparently, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences caught the bug early.  At the time, the Emmys had only been on the scene for eight … Continue reading “STUPIDITY IS A RENEWABLE RESOURCE”

         I recently enjoyed one of those on-set moments during which someone tosses out an odd assumption with absolute certitude, then defies the residents of video village to prove them wrong.  The issue concerned a moment from the famous crop duster pursuit of Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959; Robert Burks, ASC).  … Continue reading “YOU BE THE JUDGE”

         An interesting quote from the great director, James Cameron:          “I’ll cry in a movie before I’ll cry in a similar situation in real life.  Which I think is interesting.  In real life, my defenses are up.  I’m supposed to be the strong guy.  I’m supposed to be the guy that everybody relies on.  … Continue reading “HE WHO DOES NOT CRY CANNOT SEE”

         The ASC Clubhouse continually amazes me.  Every time you think there’s no more history to be drawn from its hallowed walls, someone digs deeper and unearths another amazing treasure.          And when I say ‘unearths,’ I’m not kidding.  The signers of the letters featured below were the first humans to set foot on the … Continue reading “MOON MATTERS”

         My recent posts regarding the LED volume seem to have touched a nerve; I’ve been inundated with inquiries about how and where to learn about this incredible – and intricate – technology.          As always, the best way to inform oneself is by doing, but barring those random or unattainable opportunities, I’d highly recommend … Continue reading “LEARN SOMETHING NEW…!”

         In keeping with Friday’s post, a visit to the Netflix LED volume in Hollywood informed me of a modification to what was already a great innovation: an extending of the LED screen to some fifteen feet of the floor, measured from the base of the wall.          It may not seem so earth-shattering, but … Continue reading “THE TIP OF THE SPEAR”

         For the past few months, I’ve been involved in a ground-breaking project centered around the use of an LED volume.  While I’m not at liberty to disclose the details just yet, participation has revealed many opportunities for technical and artistic growth.  The people in charge are geniuses at what they do and their openness … Continue reading “THE CUTTING EDGE”

                Have a read about the latest project I’m involved in…  It’s unusual and very interesting – and I’m very excited about it.  I’ll reveal more details in upcoming posts.

Standing, from L-R: Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC, Billy Williams, BSC, John Alonzo, ASC, Laszlo Kovacs, ASC and Owen Roizman, ASC.  Seated: Conrad Hall, ASC, William Fraker, ASC.          If ever a more significant group of cinematographers gathered for an afternoon snapshot, I’m yet to see them.  Taken in the mid-seventies during a barbecue at the Malibu … Continue reading “THE DREAM TEAM”

         If you’re as much a fan of World War Two documentaries as I am, you must have noticed the movement toward colorizing material that was originated in black-and-white.  It started slowly a few years back, but now it’s almost a given that older historical films shown by the streamers and on basic cable have … Continue reading “WHY DO THEY DO THINGS LIKE THIS?”