Hot on the heels of Tuesday’s post regarding Dumont’s Electronicam, here’s an article from the March 1956 issue of American Cinematographer featuring no less an authority than Arthur Miller, ASC’s review of the hybrid system.          Miller was one of the giants of his day.  Nominated six times for an Academy Award, he won … Continue reading “A CLOSER LOOK”

American Cinematographer, March 1956             DuMont’s Electronicam was a hybrid TV/film camera system that allowed the recording of a live television production simultaneously on motion picture film.  Designed and used by the DuMont Television Network in the mid‑’50s, it combined a standard live video camera (image orthicon tube) and a 35mm or 16mm film camera … Continue reading “DUMONT’S ELECTRONICAM”

         George Spiro Dibie, ASC was a pioneering Palestinian-American cinematographer renowned for his extensive work in television sitcoms.  Born in Jerusalem in 1931, he earned a scholarship to study film at Los Angeles City College and the Pasadena Playhouse.  Entering Hollywood as an electrician on Cleopatra (1963; Leon Shamroy, ASC), he soon developed a working … Continue reading “BURIED TREASURE”

         Anybody notice something odd, out-of-place…unusual about this ad?          Barry Ackroyd, BSC is a splendid cinematographer and I’m certain that he had no say in what appeared on the page.  But someone (more likely, a number of someones) in the Kodak world did.  And clearly, they all made a mistake!          I’m not going … Continue reading “GAME TIME!”

         And, in this case, who might be whom?  It’s been awhile since Jeff IV made an appearance here, so I want to assure everyone that all is well in his world.  As for the squirrel?  Uhhhh…maybe not so much. Photo by Tracy Dillon

         For anyone who might think that Master Classes and educational efforts are a recent phenomenon around the ASC Clubhouse, below you’ll find an example of the generous outreach that has always been a hallmark of the organization.  Published in the December 1978 issue of American Cinematographer, it hit the streets right around the time … Continue reading “IF ONLY…”

            William Claxton (1927-2008) was an American photographer best known for his iconic images of jazz musicians as well as mid‑20th century Hollywood and fashion culture.  After studying at UCLA in the early-’50’s, he turned to full-time photography and quickly gained respect for his work documenting such notable figures as Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Duke … Continue reading “A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND”

            I was cleaning out some leftover detritus from last year’s mess in the Palisades when I tripped upon the memory of an old friend.  Though I still love the look and texture of film, I’m a realist.  The future is indisputably digital.  But the thing I perhaps miss most about celluloid is the durability … Continue reading “DISPATCH FROM MEMORY LANE”

            We all know the job of the cinematographer doesn’t end with camera, lighting, composition, color and movement.  Learning to think as an editor does is of equal importance, and the faster we embrace that task is the faster the effectiveness of our images will increase.             I took it to heart when someone advised … Continue reading “AND YET, ANOTHER SEMINAL VOLUME…”

            Last week I appeared on Episode 537 of the CG Garage podcast to discuss my recent experiences with an amazing new technology – VidViz.  It hit the airwaves yesterday!             Chris Nichols and Daniel Thron – the show’s hosts – are also VidViz’s foremost progenitors.  And if you’ll recall, during 2024 I shot a … Continue reading “GO HAVE A LISTEN!”