On the tail of Friday’s post regarding the Cinematographic Annual, a deep-dive into the ASC archive unearthed the amazing document you see below.  In addition to the 2,332 patents Thomas Edison was granted during his career, he is universally acknowledged as one of the creators of the motion picture camera.  In the letter, his … Continue reading “WHAT CAN YOU SAY BUT…WOW!”

         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 … Continue reading “AN AMAZING FORERUNNER”

Easy rider…

         Everything Cinematography is a brand-new Youtube series hosted by my good friend and colleague Steve Gainer, ASC.  In addition to being a terrific shooter, as the ASC Museum Curator he’s our resident expert on the history of the artform.  For more than twenty years, he has been responsible for the acquisition, restoration and repair … Continue reading “LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!”

         In the annals of cinematographers who should be celebrated today but are not, Arthur Ornitz, ASC sits prominently in the upper ranks.  Born and raised in New York City, he was the son of Sadie and Sam Ornitz, a screenwriter who was blacklisted as one of the Hollywood Ten during the McCarthy Era witch … Continue reading “ARTHUR ORNITZ, ASC (1916-1985)”

         I’m always surprised at the vast number of oddball, small-manufacturer devices that have been offered up for use by cinematographers over the history of the artform.  The Spotron meter you see above is the latest example, and I had never heard of it until seeing this ad in the August 1966 issue of American … Continue reading “SPOT-ON”

         There’s not much information available regarding J. Burgi Contner, ASC, but one thing is clear – he was a busy and innovative cinematographer throughout the entirety of his career.          He seems to have been a native of Lakeland, FL, but his career was based in New York City.  His first credit appeared in … Continue reading “J. BURGI CONTNER, ASC (1906-1973)”

         Go ahead…say one word.  If you didn’t think he was the Royal Highness before, you’d better believe it now!          Himself, Jeff IV…watching a ball bounce down the street as he expectantly waits for the return of his best friend in the universe – ME!

         In August I posted my take on an execrable film that nonetheless scared me senseless as a child – Terror from the Year 5000 (1958; Robert J. Gurney, Jr.).  Since then, I’ve learned that I might’ve been a little harsh on its cinematographer, Arthur Florman (1917-2001).  Though I stand by my assessment of his … Continue reading “REVISED RESPECT”

         For yet another post, I offer full disclosure: John Alonzo, ASC will always hold a tender place in my heart.  During the mid-’90’s, he was the first prominent cinematographer to speak up on my behalf as a potential candidate for ASC membership.  It was a different time, and for those of us who were … Continue reading “JOHN A. ALONZO, ASC (1934-2001)”