Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

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Toby Angwin

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Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 3:04 am

So this place has become a bit of a cesspit of complaints and bickering, of which I have taken part in too.

As there isn't an off topic area for cinematography and as we are all here to talk about a camera that will hopefully be used to shoot awesome things, I was wondering if people wanted to chat about their favourite Cinematographers or particular films/scenes, or even the DOP Director relationship.

Increasingly I feel there are two camps of DOP, those that have a style that is almost unchanging whoever they work with, and those that do great work but their style is connected to the director they are working with. Chris Doyle did great work but was only really great with Wong Kar Wai. Or, going back a while, Darius Khondji who was for a while synonymous with ENR and I could probably name more films that he shot than the directors of them.

SO everyone, chip in. What's your favourite shot or DOP? Mine would be the tango in the bathroom sequence in Happy Together. EVERYTHING in it is magical, directing, lighting, performance. I see it as the apex of the WKW/Doyle collaboration.

DISCUSS!!!
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CaptainHook

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 4:07 am

I think David Mullen is great, especially because of his very in-depth posts at cinematography.com and the "Ask David Mullen anything" thread on the red forums. I would link to some good ones but i know that's not allowed here.
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MikeC

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 4:29 am

Man, I'd love to see Roger Deakins (Assassination of Jesse James, No Country for Old Men) or Chris Doyle (In The Mood for Love, 2046) play with the BMCC!
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Toby Angwin

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 4:47 am

I've got to see Jesse James, it clashed with having a baby and I've yet to catch up. I'm in the minority for finding No Country kind of ho hum, both in how it looked and as a movie but that's more the Coens in general than Deakins.
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David

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 4:59 am

The Conformist. Every...damn...shot.
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David

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 5:06 am

Probably should have mentioned the cinematographers name but I figure I don't need to here. Besides, I hate him. He needs to buried in the desert up to his neck and have his face covered in honey.... then the ants come.

Too damn good.
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Luke Armstrong

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 7:47 am

Yes Deakins gets my vote. He has a fantastic forum where he frequently answers questions. He's a very nice chap in person too.
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Soeren Mueller

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 7:48 am

Seeing all these (most of the time) storyless camera tests and nature montages etc. it makes me think of Tarsem Singh sometimes.. only that he elevates that to a whole different level and even manages to add a dreamlike "story" to it.. so yeah I know it's kind of a love it or hate it film but I really love "The Fall" by Tarsem.. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460791/
Astonishingly beautiful compositions, locations...

Another visual milestone for me personally were two other love (ehm more like I guess ;o) or hate films... "Irréversible" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290673/ and
"Enter the Void" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1191111/ both by Gaspar Noe...
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Fabián Matas

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 7:56 am

I love Roger Deakins but also have to give an honorable mention for John Toll and Emanuel Lubeski :)
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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 9:26 am

I really like The Fall. beautiful!
In some parts it reminds me The Cell with its fantasy worlds.
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Toby Angwin

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 10:12 am

Soeren Mueller wrote:both by Gaspar Noe...

Love his aesthetic, HATE his films :) Both shot by Benoît Debie who is a great DOP.

Agreed about Tarsem Singh's films too, they LOOK incredible but are average as films. The Cell also has some incredible imagery in it.

I guess we should bring up Bloom's heroes Godfrey Reggio and Ron Fricke who's films are indirectly responsible for this whole new industry of camera tests as films in and of themselves. Powaqqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, Baraka. All fantastic pieces of experimental documentary. If only all these camera tester/blogger/gurus would stop doing crappy focus pulls and sider shots and use their skill to make something with a 10th of the power of these films instead, I'd be happy.

Lastly David.... VITTORIO STORARO shot the Conformist. ONLY ONE OF THE BEST DOPs EVER. Honestly, you shouldn't even be able to buy any camera in penance for forgetting his name :lol:

Cheers,

Toby
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David

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 12:13 pm

You didn't read my follow up! I know damn well who it was. I don't speak his name! Anyone that shoots that nice is in league with Lucifer!!!

Seriously though Storaro would love the black magic camera. He was talking with Video manufacturers 25-30 years ago and always said that one day video would rule. I thought he was nuts.
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Toby Angwin

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 12:41 pm

Ha
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 3:17 pm

CaptainHook wrote:I think David Mullen is great, especially because of his very in-depth posts at cinematography.com and the "Ask David Mullen anything" thread on the red forums. I would link to some good ones but i know that's not allowed here.


I also recommend M. David Mullen, ASC. A great DP and teacher, incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, and a gentleman. Respect.
http://www.davidmullenasc.com

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simonkn

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 6:02 pm

On a much smaller scale to the film guys already mentioned...
I'm rather partial to Michael Dinner for his TV work, especially Justified. Love the RED usage and colouring of that series...

And come one someone... mention the lack of shipping dates!! (grin)


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Nick Bedford

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 11:29 pm

simonkn wrote:And come one someone... mention the lack of shipping dates!! (grin)
SK


Lack of shipping dates.






:twisted:
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bhook

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Oct 09, 2012 11:47 pm

I sure wish BMD would ship my BMC!!! Conrad L. Hall!!! John Brawley!!!!

...pleasing all of the people, all of the time.
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Nick Bedford

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 12:04 am

Hmm Cinematographers. There's a lot whose work I enjoy.

Couple off the top of my head:

  • Roger Deakins (Bond Films)
  • Wally Pfister (Nolan Films)
  • Lance Acord (Where The Wild Things Are, Lost In Translation)
  • Andrew Lesnie (Lord Of The Rings)

Funnily enough, they're all A.S.C members.
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CaptainHook

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 12:37 am

Peter J. DeCrescenzo wrote:[I also recommend M. David Mullen, ASC. A great DP and teacher, incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, and a gentleman. Respect.
http://www.davidmullenasc.com

+1
I posted these in another thread but they probably are better suited here..

Here's some screen grabs from David's site:

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

He's posted very detailed Dairies and answered many questions on forums about the making of these films and other projects he's done. He's VERY generous with his time and knowledge. Also a fan of Deakins/Pfister/Rodney Charters and many other ASC members. ;)
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Toby Angwin

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 3:19 am

This is all awesome, lets get into detail too, favourite shots and why?

Or maybe we should start a separate 'how did they shoot this?' thread where we can post shots from movies and ask how they were shot (funnily enough) and people can chime in about lighting etc.

Any takers?
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Margus Voll

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 5:11 am

i just saw Nip Tuck tv series yesterday and really loved the way colors and light work together there.
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Toby Angwin

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 11:19 am

Those shots from 'Manure' on David Mullen's site, I'm guessing it's studio stuff? Has anyone seen it?
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John Brawley

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 11:54 am

mhood wrote:I sure wish BMD would ship my BMC!!! Conrad L. Hall!!! John Brawley!!!!

...pleasing all of the people, all of the time.


Um I don't feel at all worthy of being alongside that name.

But thanks marc.... ;-)

jb
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 4:24 pm

Just so it's linked from this thread, see also:
viewtopic.php?p=8983&sid=7904d98ea197d9bb69369c3e4c66ad87#p8983
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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 8:39 pm

Toby Angwin wrote:Those shots from 'Manure' on David Mullen's site, I'm guessing it's studio stuff? Has anyone seen it?
Yep, there's a great thread David started on cinematography.com about it. Go to the "In Production" section.. the thread is titled "Manure" and is started by David Mullen ASC. I would link but it's against the rules. :)

He posted photos like this in it:

Image
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bhook

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 8:43 pm

I've been alive a long time and have never in my life seen clouds like that.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostWed Oct 10, 2012 11:16 pm

mhood wrote:I've been alive a long time and have never in my life seen clouds like that.


It's called "artistic interpretation", Marc.

They got any of that in Texas? :lol:
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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostThu Oct 11, 2012 12:06 am

Peter J. DeCrescenzo wrote:It's called "artistic interpretation", Marc.

They got any of that in Texas? :lol:


We tend to favor the real thing. :D
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Toby Angwin

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostThu Oct 11, 2012 3:02 am

That's a fantastic Cyc! I love to see people are doing less naturalistic things in good old fashioned ways that still work rather than seeing a big green screen.
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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostThu Oct 11, 2012 11:09 am

Toby Angwin wrote:
Soeren Mueller wrote:both by Gaspar Noe...

Love his aesthetic, HATE his films :) Both shot by Benoît Debie who is a great DOP.


Hehe.. as I said.. love or hate ;) .. but yes, Debie is great.. I'm really curious about one of his latest projects.. "Spring Breakers" by Harmony Korine.. sounds like a love/hate film as well :D

And yes Tarsem's films look great.. there are really nice commentary tracks and interviews available with him where he talks about his love for (natural) tableaus... his indian upbringing and thus love for vivid colors etc etc.

Toby Angwin wrote:If only all these camera tester/blogger/gurus would stop doing crappy focus pulls and sider shots and use their skill to make something with a 10th of the power of these films instead, I'd be happy.


That's exactly what I meant :)

And Christopher Doyle is to me one of the most sympathetic/accessible person working professionally in film. If only more of the arrogant folks around would be a little more down to earth (and a little crazy) like this guy. ;)
I hope it's ok to link to youtube at least from here so... I think this is quite a fitting (in this context here/BMC ;o) statement/ramble by his:



Oh and I can only recommend to everyone interested in Doyle.. there's a German/French produced interview/doc/personality series called "Durch die Nacht mit" ("Into the Night with") which is really really nice, theres one epsiode featuring Christopher Doyle and Nonzee Nimibutr.. on a night out in Bangkok talking about their films, believes etc - really inspiring!
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Jason R. Johnston

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostFri Oct 12, 2012 6:41 pm

So the wonderful Harris Savides, ASC died Thursday. Here's a write-up from the ASC:

We're very sorry to report the loss of a truly gifted ASC member, Harris Savides, who passed away earlier today at the age of 55. His impressive feature credits include "The Game," "Elephant," "Zodiac," "Milk" and "Margot at the Wedding," among many others, and he also shot a number of seminal music videos, including Madonna's "Rain," Nine Inch Nails' "Closer," Michael and Janet Jackson's "Scream" and Fiona Apple's "Criminal." During the course of his career, he earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Cinematography ("American Gangster"), five Independent Spirit Award nominations, a National Society of Film Critics Award and a New York Film Critics Circle Award. Soft-spoken and always self-effacing, Harris was one of our industry's most talented cinematographers, and he will be sorely missed.

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Toby Angwin

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostThu Oct 18, 2012 9:54 am

Savides was a wonderful DOP. I love the story about he and Mark Romanek testing every single cheap work light they could find to get the right look for the Criminal clip. Too often you see people using all the toys available in the gaffer truck when the simplest solution is the best.
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Tim Hole

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostFri Oct 19, 2012 2:05 am

David wrote:The Conformist. Every...damn...shot.


One of my favourite films, and Storaro is, IMO, the greatest cinematographer still working today. Another is Georgi Rerberg for his work on Stalker and Mirror.

There are different kinds of directors that requires cinematographers to bring different skillsets to the table. Some have a very collaborative mentality, such as with Wong Kar Wei And Doyle; some are very specific like Kubrick. Auteur theory should be debunked not enough credit is given to Toland when talking about Citizen Kane, Hands of Orlac.

Its sad that so many people don't recognise cinematographers, another example is Antonio Delli Colli who shot films like: Once upon a time in the west; The good, the bad and the ugly; Life is Beautiful; Once upon a time in America.

Notables are: Sven Nykvist (worked with Polanski, Bergman, Tarkovsky); Kazuo Miyagawa (absolute master who shot most of Ozu and Kurosawa's films); of course the prince of Darkness Gordon Willis.
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Soeren Mueller

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostMon Nov 19, 2012 7:03 pm

Wanted to resurrect this thread again :)

If anyone doesn't know "TheHotButton".. really interesting interviews on there done by David Poland, like this one with Ben Richardson & Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild) ...

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostMon Nov 19, 2012 8:52 pm

I had a Jack Cardiff double feature yesterday. Black Narcissus and Matter Of Life And Death.

I've seen Matter of Life and Death 5 or 6 times but yesterday was the first time I realized that the Heaven skylights shining down were also representing the air raid spot lights shining up. Freaking mind blowing. The Archers, man.:shock:
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Jason R. Johnston

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Re: Time for some Cinematographer chat in this forum?

PostTue Nov 20, 2012 9:17 am

I recently saw the documentary "Cameraman" about Cardiff. My mouth was dry from my jaw staying dropped to the floor the entire length of the film. And what a wonderful, funny guy. his mind was tack-sharp, even at his advanced age at the time the docu was shot before his death in 2009 at the age of 94. It's on Netflix...check it out tonight!
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