I took this photograph a few years back on one of those magical days at the ASC Clubhouse. It’s impossible to describe the gratitude I feel at having gotten to know so many of my heroes; what you see are two of many – and perhaps, my favorites.
Victor Kemper, ASC and Owen Roizman, ASC… Giants of cinematography, Past Presidents of the organization, all-around great guys. If you’re not familiar with their work, make immediate plans to remedy that deficiency in your life. We often say ‘they don’t make ’em like that anymore,’ and in their cases it’s true. The world is so insane, life is moving so fast and so many bits of idiocy are constantly competing for our attention that it’s easy to forget their contributions to the art.
Well, that’s no excuse. And this’s my little nudge to put them on the front burner of your mind, at least for a little while.
VICTOR KEMPER, ASC (b. Apr. 14, 1927)
EMMY AWARD NOMINATION – 1987
ASC AWARD NOMINATION – 1988
ASC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – 1988
ASC PRESIDENT – 1993-1997, 1999-2002
Alice’s Restaurant (1969)
The Hospital (1971)
The Candidate (1972)
The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
The Last Tycoon (1976)
Slap Shot (1977)
Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Beethoven (1993)
OWEN ROIZMAN, ASC (Sept. 22, 1936 – Jan. 6, 2023)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS – The French Connection (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Network (1976), Tootsie (1982), Wyatt Earp (1994)
EMMY AWARD NOMINATION – 1972
ASC AWARD NOMINATION – 1994
ASC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – 1997
ASC PRESIDENT – 1997-1998
THREE-TERM AMPAS CINEMATOGRAPHERS BRANCH GOVERNOR
CAMERAIMAGE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – 2001
HONORARY ACADEMY AWARD – 2017
The Heartbreak Kid (1972)
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
The Stepford Wives (1975)
Straight Time (1978)
True Confessions (1981)
The Addams Family (1991)
Grand Canyon (1991)
You were blessed to have such profound relationships with such great men. I knew them both. I also know the respect and appreciation they both had for you. Viktor started the process and sponsored me for my Associate ASC Membership .
They don’t make them like they used to… the movies and the cinematographers!
David in your case they do still make them like that ! Your work always stands apart.
So wonderful Richard… Heartfelt… Thank you…!
The sensibility and emotional execution was so different back then in that generation, that you felt ‘organically connected’ viewing these films… Nothing better than ole school heart… Yes, these were indeed giants!!♥️
The Final Countdown (1980) should be on Mr. Kemper’s list. The critics savaged the film but it’s a cult classic and his cinematography is incredible.
I believe you are right. But he has so many good titles to his name, I had to narrow them down to just a few for the list.
Victor Kemper, ASC — “Mikey & Nicky” filming in 1973 Philadelphia released in 1976, Elaine May directing. I was there as a cable wrangler for sound recordist Chris Newman, because I was on an IATSE Local 644 strike at KYW-TV. Stars are John Cassavetes and Peter Falk.
Another good one. All over the ice photographically – which Victor would be the first to admit – but nonetheless interesting.
Victor was one of the first Academy members I met when I started working at the Academy of Motion Pictures 15 yrs ago. I would re-watch some of my favorite movies by the members I would meet, especially the below-the-line craftsmen and women, always seeing the films with a different eye after learning from them. Seeing how other members, not just cinematographers, looked at Victor, and talked about Victor, I wanted all the staff to know this great filmmaker. And I had the pleasure of meeting Owen at the Governors Awards the year he received his much deserved Oscar. Again, watching other Academy members, among the elite of filmmakers, look up to Owen with such respect was wonderful to see. They don’t make them like that anymore. Two giants, indeed.
Thank you Richard for this post. I was lucky to have met both Owen and Victor just about 30 years ago. They both became like uncles or big brothers to me over the years and I have fond memories of all the events at the ASC and of the many films of theirs that we were able to remaster together. When I look back at my photos from those early days, it seems like Victor and Owen are in most of them. I remember the day that we flew to Texas in 1998 to see the first large screen showing of the digital projection at Texas Instruments. I was proud to have the president of the ASC at a crucial private screening that would affect the future of Cinema. Just one of many great times with ‘the Masters’.
Garrett! How are you, brother? I send you my best!