In support of Tuesday’s post which blew the horn for in-camera effects, here’s an example from Karl Struss, ASC, co-winner (with Charles Rosher, ASC) of the first Academy Award for cinematography.             Prior to the invention of the optical printer, the instant-of-exposure method was the most common way to create movie magic.  Like all … Continue reading “MORE ON IN-CAMERA EFFECTS”

            In-camera effects – the type executed at the moment of exposure – have essentially disappeared since the transition to digital workflows took place twenty years ago.  Though there remain a few enthusiastic holdouts (namely, director Christopher Nolan and my brilliant friend, Chris Webb at FX WRX in Brooklyn), you’d be hard-pressed to find many … Continue reading “AIN’T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING”

With awards season in full blossom, one would assume that after a long, challenging year, the cream has finally risen to the top.  While that’s true for the most part, you won’t be seeing the best in cinematography unless you take a look at Season 6 of The Crown (Netflix).              No, I’ll amend that … Continue reading “THE CROWN, AGAIN”

Hells Angels on Wheels (1967) is a cheap exploitation flick directed by Richard Rush.  Starring Jack Nicholson and Adam Roarke, it contains everything the trashy genre demands, which is why I consider it a guilty pleasure.  But this one is not without its special rewards.  Photographed by Laszlo Kovacs during his pre-ASC days, it reminds … Continue reading “EVERYBODY HAS TO START SOMEWHERE”

While roaming the streaming-verse over the holidays, I came upon a couple of TV shows I hadn’t seen since I was a kid.  Watching them now was certainly a different experience, but what really struck me was how representative they were of the time and place in which they were shot.             Have a gander … Continue reading “EAST vs. WEST”

            I really need to quit highlighting these odd little mistakes I trip across; God knows there are enough of them in my own movies.  But seeing as I’ve been a little pressed for time, when I saw this one, the post wrote itself.             It’s from the 1974 action flick, Mr. Majestyk (Richard Fleischer\Richard … Continue reading “STOP ME IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE”

OK, it’s the New Year and I should really stop boring everyone with some of the errant minutiae I notice in the films I watch.  Nonetheless, here’s one more example of an electrician who was a little late on his cue at the 10K dimmer.  The movie was Funnygirl (1968).  It was directed by the … Continue reading “NOT FADE AWAY”

About halfway through a lunch at Musso and Frank during the early 2000’s, William Fraker, ASC expressed his conviction that there was no more romance in Hollywood.  He wasn’t referring to relationships between significant others.  Instead, he was observing the industry at large and its present lack of genuine caring among its members.  One of … Continue reading “THOSE WERE THE GOOD DAYS”

For a great way to close out 2023, have a look at Mark Irwin, ASC, CSC’s Instagram account (find it at the above address).  For the past few months, he’s been presenting content that will be of interest to anyone involved with cinematography.  I don’t know where he finds the amazing images he posts, but … Continue reading “@mwicscasc”

Don’t you just love it when you notice something that shouldn’t be in a particular shot – like the chalk mark indicating a camera position?  Look to the lower right of this frame from Season 2, Episode 2 of the old NBC series, Adam 12.  I’m really not that obsessive…but when I saw it, I … Continue reading “SO, WHERE ARE YOU WORKING TOMORROW…?”