Dear Colleague:
Here's an advance look at the August 2004 issue of American
Cinematographer magazine, which marks the 85th anniversary
of the American Society of Cinematographers. Also included
in this e-newsletter is an important item about the magazine's
new publisher.
The Village
This hotly anticipated film marks the first collaboration between
cinematographer Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC, a five-time Oscar nominee
(The Shawshank Redemption; Fargo; Kundun; O Brother, Where Art
Thou?; The Man Who Wasn't There) and one of Hollywood's most
accomplished masters of suspense, writer/director M. Night Shyamalan
(The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs). The picture's chilling
tale concerns a 19th-century village whose inhabitants have forged
an uneasy truce with the mysterious creatures who occupy the woods
around them. Deakins will discuss his working methods with Shyamalan,
who is well-known for obsessively preplanning his shots.
Collateral
Dion Beebe, ACS (a 2003 Best Cinematography nominee for his work
on the big-screen musical Chicago), discusses his use of
Thomson's new Viper Filmstream digital camera on this thriller directed
by Michael Mann. The film stars Tom Cruise as a cold-blooded hit
man who forces an innocent cab driver (Jamie Foxx) to accompany
him on a deadly round of contract killings in Los Angeles.
Special 85th Anniversary Editorial
Cecil B. DeMille's Ode to Cinematographers
One of Hollywood's greatest directors of epic motion pictures penned
this heartfelt appreciation of cinematographers and their abilities.
DeMille's piece will kick off a special editorial section celebrating
the ASC's 85th Anniversary.
The ASC's Founders
Historican Bob Birchard will profile the 15 pioneering cameramen
who founded the American Society of Cinematographers, offering carefully
researched overviews of their lives and careers. A vintage photo
of each cinematographer will accompany these mini-bios.
The First ASC Credit
A special piece will reveal the title of the film that boasted
the very first ASC credit, as well as the name of the cinematographer
who enjoyed this privilege. (Hint: the movie was shot in 1920).
The Evolution of American Cinematographer magazine
For as long as the ASC has existed, American Cinematographer
magazine has been recording the insights and accomplishments
of cinematographers around the world. In this piece, Bob Birchard
will trace the arc of the magazine over the decades, noting how
its editorial focus has changed and adapted through various eras
of artistic and technological and progress. The article will be
augmented by reprints of select covers that will illustrate the
magazine's ever-evolving look.
Panavision's 50th Anniversary
The ASC's 85th year of existence coincides with the 50th birthday
of Panavision, one of Hollywood's most prominent and prestigious
companies. This retrospective article, accompanied by vintage photos,
will trace some of Panavision's groundbreaking achievements in camera
and lens technology.
The August issue's departments will also offer illuminating
insights:
Global Village will present coverage of Dark Blue,
a BBC television project that underwent a digital intermediate.
DVD Playback will review three stylish thrillers that are
now on disc: The Manchurian Candidate (1962, shot by Lionel
Lindon, ASC), Angel Heart (1987, shot by Michael Seresin,
BSC) and Dirty Pretty Things (2003, shot by Chris Menges,
ASC, BSC).
Production Slate will analyze the visually sumptuous films
of director Guy Maddin, who will discuss his collaborations with
cinematographers Luc Montpelier, CSC and Paul Suderman.
Short Takes will present coverage of the short film Mrs.
Marshall, which recently earned cinematographer Michael Pescasio
an ICG Showcase Award, as well as a piece about a special Los Angeles
event that featured video installations shot with infrared cameras.
The Samuelson Library will present a column by historian
David Samuelson about the first edition of the ASC Film Manual,
commonly referred to on professional sets as "the filmmaker's bible."
The 9th edition of this invaluable reference tome is currently in
the final stages of production.
