Dear Colleague:
Here's an advance look at the September 2004 issue
of American Cinematographer magazine, which will
focus on international production. Also included
in this e-newsletter is some news about recent ASC
events.
Vanity Fair (Focus Features)
Declan Quinn worked in both England and India while
shooting this sumptuous adaptation of William Thackeray's
classic novel, which concerns Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon),
an impoverished Londoner who climbs the social ladder
with her best friend, Amelia (Romola Garai). Quinn will
discuss his approach to the material and his relationship
with the film's accomplished director, Mira Nair.
The Motorcycle Diaries (Focus Features)
Cinematographer Eric Gautier teamed with director Walter
Salles to shoot this seriocomic film based on the youthful
journals of Che Guevara, who would later lead the Cuban
Revolution. The tale tracks the eye-opening adventures
of Guevara (Gael Garcia Bernal) and his friend Alberto
Granado (Rodrigo De la Serna) as they travel through
South America on a beat-up motorcycle. Striking landscapes
and an authentic period ambience lend visual impact
to the picture, which has earned acclaim at the Sundance
and Cannes film festivals.
Code 46 (MGM)
Alwin Kuchler, BSC was behind the camera on this futuristic
British drama, which stars Tim Robbins as a crime inspector
who falls for a factory worker (Samantha Morton) while
investigating a mysterious death. Directed by Michael
Winterbottom, the film boasts impressive visuals amid
distinctive sci-fi settings that were filmed in a variety
of locations around the world, including Shanghai and
Dubai.
Digital intermediate for Two Brothers
(Universal)
In this followup to our recent coverage of cinematographer
Jean-Marie Dreujou, AFC's work on the French adventure
film Two Brothers, the magazine's European correspondent,
Benjamin Bergery, will offer a detailed tutorial on
the film's digital intermediate, which was carried out
at Eclair Laboratory in Paris.
Excerpt From It's a Wrap!
Cinematographer Andy Laszlo, ASC has recently completed
an entertaining and informative book about his (mis)adventures
in the world of motion pictures. In this excerpt, Laszlo
recalls a monumental mishap that unfolded during production
of the epic TV miniseries Shogun.
Historical on the career of Ronald Neame, BSC
AC historian Robert S. Birchard will profile
the great British cameraman, whose long and illustrious
career spanned decades. Neame's credits as a director
of photography include Major Barbara, One of Our
Aircraft Is Missing and Blithe Spirit, among
many others.
The August issue's departments will also offer
illuminating insights:
The Post Process will address the transatlantic
connection between the New York facility Off-Hollywood
Digital and Rome's Cinecitta Studios.
DVD Playback will review three films that comment
either directly or indirectly on Hollywood: The Day
of the Locust (1975), shot by Conrad Hall, ASC;
The Last of Sheila (1973), shot by Gerry Turpin;
and A Woman Is a Woman (1961), photographed by
Raoul Coutard.
Production Slate will offer details on two new
international films: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Paramount
Classics), a British crime thriller shot by Mike
Garfath, BSC, and Zelary (Sony Pictures Classics),
an Oscar-nominated Czechoslovakian drama shot by Asen
Sopov.
Points East will offer a recap of Kodak's New
York-based "Stop By, Shoot Film" event, which encourages
young filmmakers to try their hand at the craft of moviemaking.
Short Takes will present coverage of the short
film Time Enough at Last, shot by Chris Lytwyn,
and a new Saab promotional campaign photographed by
Eric Trageser.
Filmmakers' Forum will present a Q&A with
Willy Kurant, ASC, AFC, who will comment on the differences
between shooting abroad and in the United States.
