I caught Clint Eastwood’s The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) on TCM last Sunday night and couldn’t help but marvel at the work of cinematographer Bruce Surtees.  As the son of three-time Oscar winner Robert Surtees, ASC (Ben Hur, The Graduate, The Last Picture Show, The Sting) and a longtime collaborator of Eastwood’s, he certainly … Continue reading “BOLDNESS CINEMATOGRAFIED”

            These words of French director Robert Bresson (1901-1999) always resonate with me when I start a new project.  I’ve been on both sides of the equation on innumerable occasions, and the real challenge has often been in convincing others of its truth.             “Someone who can work with the minimum can work with the … Continue reading “HE’S RIGHT…”

            Over the weekend I stumbled across this little exchange between Orson Welles and the great cinematographer Greg Toland, ASC.  It took place during the making of Citizen Kane in 1940.  Neither man requires any introduction.             Welles: “Isn’t it basically ridiculous that the film is in the camera?”             Toland: “Yes.  Eventually it will … Continue reading “TRUER WORDS…”

            It’s amusingly ironic that the legendary Federico Fellini – a director who never held back on extravagance – is the author of the following statement:             “I don’t believe in total freedom for the artist.  Left on his own, free to do anything he likes, the artist ends up doing nothing at all.  If … Continue reading “INCONGRUOUS? I THINK NOT…”

            Approach prep the same way you would your health.  Small investments made now will pay large dividends later.             I can’t overemphasize the importance of squeezing as much as you can from every minute during prep!             Over my career I’ve had periods of up to six months (and as little as three weeks) … Continue reading “STUDENT QUICK TIP #19”

            If you’ve followed this blog to any extent, you’ve noticed that lately I’ve been exploring cinematography from an odd tangent, with quotes and observations from people outside our immediate community.  At first, I hesitated to wander down that road, but there was no need for indecision.  While their sentiments may not seem relevant on … Continue reading “A QUOTE TOO FAR…?”

            I’m busy prepping a pilot, so today the great French director François Truffaut (1932-1984) will do my talking for me.             His seemingly casual observations carry a lot of weight and are worthy of your attention.  While Truffaut is nominally speaking to fellow directors, they fall in line for cinematographers as well!             It’s … Continue reading “PINCH HITTER”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) was a French author, poet and pioneering aviator perhaps best known for his novella, The Little Prince.  Look him up for the story of an interesting life.             One of his quotes has always stayed with me.  Though somewhat ironic as it applies to cinematography and its massively attendant technology, the … Continue reading “A FRENCH KISS”

            2003 ASC Lifetime Achievement Awardee Michael Chapman (1935-2020) was an important member of the 1970’s generation of cinematographers who redefined what movies looked like.  Taxi Driver (1976), The Last Waltz (1978), Raging Bull (1980) and The Fugitive (1993) represent a small sampling of his notable titles.  Each remains as visually powerful as they were … Continue reading “CHAPPY’S SCHTICK”

            As I begin prep on a new pilot in Los Angeles, I harken back to a conversation I had with Haskell Wexler, ASC in 2007.  I recently came across a transcript of it and was taken by his sentiment, which is something I have touched upon in this blog on several occasions.  While you … Continue reading “A FRESH START…AGAIN”