DOUG HART, RIP…

I had a different post prepared for today, but three nights ago I was informed of the passing of legendary – and I don’t use that term loosely – first assistant cameraman, Douglas C. Hart.  It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t offer some respect to my old mentor, friend and colleague, hence the following.

            Based in New York City, from the ’70’s through the ’90’s he was the first-call for the biggest features in the region.  If further testimony to his competence is required, he spent ten of those years in nearly exclusive service to none other than the man himself, Gordon Willis, ASC.  I was fortunate to have been a close participant in Doug’s orbit during that period and remember him well for having been so kind in passing along knowledge and experience to an eager beginner.

            We first met in 1979, when I was auditing a film course at Columbia University.  Doug came in to lecture one evening and at the conclusion, he invited anyone who was interested in learning more to contact him.  Out of fifty people present, I was the only one who took him seriously – and it was perhaps the smartest move I ever made.  Although I had been working in the industry to some extent for a year or so, I mark the true start of my career to the time I subsequently spent under his tutelage.  In those days, there were no prescribed methods of learning about the camera department, let alone the art and craft of cinematography.  Aspirants had to find their way to enlightenment through force of will, collecting obscure dribs and drabs of information that would hopefully one day make sense.  Doug turned that model on its head by teaching me not just the practicalities of the job, but the intricacies and nuances as well.  He saved an incalculable amount of time on the path to where I am now, and for that I will always be grateful.

            I’m hardly alone in making that claim.  The number of those who flourished in his wake could fill a stadium.  And that’s not even counting the broader effect of his activism with IATSE Local 644 (later, Local 600).  Fired by the same passion he brought to the job, he often ruffled many more feathers than he smoothed, but he was always fighting for what he thought was just.  As rare as that quality might seem today, he would’ve been right at home alongside the members of the Writers Guild in their current dispute with the studios.

            As I look back on the time spent in Doug’s company, a tidal wave of incredible on and off-set moments come to mind.  I initially thought I’d relate some of them here, but they really call for a tall Myers’s Dark Rum and Coke (his usual) and a good chunk of time.  Instead, I’ll just raise one tonight in Doug’s honor, and I know he’ll appreciate that.

            Take good care, buddy.  We’re gonna miss you…