Prior to the arrival of Jackson Rose’s first ASC Manual in 1935, there was the Cinematographic Annual. Limited to two editions that were published by the ASC in 1930 and 1931, they contained an incredible body of knowledge. I can still recall my excitement when I stumbled over them early in my career. At nearly 700 pages each, they provided hours of fascinating reading that helped fill the many gaps in my passionate but mostly empty brain.
There are still a few copies floating around; If you’re looking for one, I’d suggest EBay as a starting point. Though the Annual was obviously assembled for a film-based world, much of its information remains useful in the digital age. The ad below really says it all. When it hit the streets during the early days of the depression, five dollars was a considerable amount of money – but not too much to ask of an audience hungry for such information. I know that I would’ve gone without shoes to own one had I been around at the time!
The Cinematographic Annual is not just a window into the craft and character of a different era. Its pages reflect the industriousness of those who were composing the rules for a new artform as they went along. While technology has evolved, the enthusiasm and dedication it reflects will be familiar to anyone who has been swept up in the magic of image-making.
I just now went to ebay and bought an original copy.
Thank you for the tip!
JOY,
Chris
Hey Richard,
If anyone is interested, you can find digital copies of both volumes online(Internet Archive). Here are the links and also a link to where to buy originals hard copies and republished versions from 2018.
Volume 1: https://archive.org/details/cinematographica00unse
Volume 2: https://archive.org/details/cinematographi02unse/page/n1/mode/2up
Hard Copies: https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/cinematographic-annual/
Wow, Thanks!
It wasn’t cheap then; $5 adjusted for inflation is equivalent to about $100 today
Thank you, Adam…I wasn’t aware of that.
I have my copy of the Cinematographic Annual, taken as they were dismantling the Technicolor Library in 1980. I treasure it. Rob Hummel in 1980 would never have believed he would one day be honored with being asked to edit a subsequent heir to that tome, the 8th edition of the ASC Manual. Then to be asked to help edit it again for the 11th edition? Crazy talk!
That book looks like a keeper. A different era of creators will bring old blood, which is needed….ideas maybe forgotten but still relatable to today’s cinematography……powerful and crafty. I will definitely look for a copy. Thank you for highlighting this Richard.
Rob – Remember sitting at the Board table sorting through all the old charts and formulas for accuracy? And we found some errors in their math!
RIchard! I remember vividly of you, Steve Burum and myself sitting at the Board Room table! In fact I was picturing that in my mind as wrote my earlier comment!
Hello Richard.
A question unrelated to this post but I hope you may be able to shine some light on.
I recently saw the film “Storm Warning” photographed by Carl E. Guthrie ASC.
With you links to the ASC I wonder if you may be able to track down any articles that were either written by Carl about his work or that were written about him.And especially any article/s about the making of the film “Storm Warning” which may have been featured in the American Cinematographer magazine or others of the like ie : International Photographer,Operating Cameraman,ICG etc,if they have featured any such articles.
Thanking you for your time and consideration with my enquiry.
With kindest regards,
David Hilton.