Cinematography

Creating a Handheld Look

Mon, 12/12/2016 - 12:08 -- Nick Dager

Jay Hunter is a celebrated director and cinematographer whose work runs the gamut from features and scripted series to documentaries and reality TV. He’s crafted unique aesthetics for television shows such as On the Lot and films including Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing. Hunter’s current project is the NBC comedy Superstore, about the employees of a big box retailer. For that series, he tries to make viewers feel like they’re part of the action through a visual style that looks handheld, but is not.

Creating a Darker Look at Santa

Fri, 11/18/2016 - 09:16 -- Nick Dager

The long-awaited sequel to the 2003 holiday cult classic, Bad Santa (directed by Terry Zwigoff), Bad Santa 2 is directed by Mark Waters (Vampire Academy, Mean Girls). Theo Van de Sande, ASC (Blade, Cruel Intentions, Wayne’s World) shot the dark comedy with Panasonic VariCam 35 4K cinema cameras. Comedy or not, Waters and Van de Sande wanted the film to have a darker look. For developing the look of Bad Santa 2, Van de Sande did not use any visual references, including the original Bad Santa (shot by Jamie Anderson).

Shooting Before the Flood

Wed, 11/16/2016 - 11:17 -- Nick Dager

In the late winter of 2014, Leonardo DiCaprio called actor and documentarian Fisher Stevens with an idea: he wanted to collaborate on a documentary that would explore the causes and effects of climate change around the world, and the urgent need to transition away from using fossil fuels — and he wanted to get started right away. They chose Antonio Rossi to be their director of photography.

Ben Davis Returns to the Marvel Universe

Fri, 11/04/2016 - 13:48 -- Nick Dager

Ben Davis, BSC has become an old hand in the Marvel universe. Doctor Strange marks his third Marvel film as director of photography. He also shot the global hits Avengers: Age of Ultron and Guardians of the Galaxy. “Marvel very much is a universe with its own language, but the three films I've done have been vastly different.”

ASC Honors Student Filmmakers

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 12:15 -- Nick Dager

The American Society of Cinematographers honored three student filmmakers tonight at their annual student awards presentation, held at the organization’s clubhouse. The competition is designed to highlight the work of emerging talent, and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. The winners are:

ASC Names Four Outstanding Achievement Honorees

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 10:48 -- Nick Dager

The American Society of Cinematographers has announced the honorees for the 31st annual ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement. Edward Lachman, ASC; Ron Garcia, ASC; Philippe Rousselot, ASC, AFC; and Nancy Schreiber, ASC will be recognized for their contributions to the art of cinematography at the organization’s awards gala on February 4, 2017, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. Lachman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Garcia will be bestowed with the Career Achievement in Television Award. Rousselot earns the International Award, and Schreiber will take home the Presidents Award.

Shooting in Tight Spaces

Thu, 09/22/2016 - 13:49 -- Nick Dager

Cinematographer Gareth Paul Cox recently shot up-and-coming director Aundré Johnson’s tentatively titled project, The Driver, an ambitious 15-minute short that takes place mostly inside a car. It tells the story of a limo car service driver, who ventures off the beaten path to start his own car service using borrowed money from individuals with possible mob ties. For Cox, there were several big challenges for the low budget short, including driving and shooting on L.A. streets without a process trailer, or any serious rigging.

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