Cut it Power Saving Initiative launches at 2020 BSC Expo
The 2020 BSC Expo saw the launch of Cut It, the first crew-led initiative to tackle carbon emissions in film and TV production.
A Letter From Our Editor, Ron Prince…
During this difficult time, British Cinematographer Editor, Ron Prince, shares a heartfelt letter expressing our deepest thanks & gratitude to everyone connected with our magazine - far and wide - for your support.
New Covid-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund set up
The BFI and The Film and TV Charity have partnered to create the new fund, established with a £1m donation from Netflix, to help support the creative community, which has been devastated by the pandemic.
BSC urges members to “Stay in touch and be supportive” during COVID-19 outbreak
BSC president Mike Eley BSC sends a message of support and reassurance to society members during the COVID-19 outbreak.
UK Film Industry Supports Anti-Terrorism Campaign
Camera-stabilisation technology developer, Rizwan Wadan, is one of the few practicing Muslims in the mainstream filming industry in the UK, and it is his firm belief that it is important to open dialogues and debates through the visual medium and advocate film to the BAME and Muslim communities.
Inside The New Issue: 98
Described by Baz Luhrmann as 'an Artist and a General' - Australian cinematographer Mandy Walker ACS ASC leads the way to visualise Disney's live-action remake of Mulan - our March edition cover feature. Read on to get a sneak preview of this, plus other great content that subscribers can enjoy in the upcoming issue of British Cinematographer magazine - released 16th March.
Bojan Bazelli ASC turns on the style for 6 Underground
Although director Michael Bay leaned heavily on VFX for the Transformers movie series, the director’s reputation for spectacular action sequences shot in-camera remains undiminished. Case in point: 6 Underground with cinematography by Bojan Bazelli ASC.
DP Jules O’Loughlin handles low light for Angel Has Fallen
Jules O’Loughlin ACS ASC used the low-light capabilities of the VariCam LT and EVA1 for a number of complicated stunt sequences for Angel Has Fallen - the third instalment in the Fallen film franchise.
DP Mike Staniforth on Underwater
Manchester-based DP Mike Staniforth wrote in with details about his work on Underwater for first-time director Michael Keogh.
How would you like to shoot a Bollywood movie?
DP Santonio Terzio contacted us about his work on the British-based production of Well Done Baby, and says he would like to connect BSC members to Indian filmmakers and production houses.
Winners crowned at 2020 BSC Awards
On Saturday 15th February 2020, the BSC held its 2nd Awards Night at the Grovesnor House Hotel in Mayfair, London and there was further success for DPs Roger Deakins and Jakob Ihre, plus triumphs for operators Joe Russell and Geoffrey Haley. All images by Richard Blanshard.
Nominees Announced for 2020 IMAGO International Awards for Cinematography
The nominees have been announced for the third IMAGO Awards ceremony on 14th March 2020, with Roger Deakins aiming for yet another trophy for his work on 1917.
Sights of the BSC Expo 2020
DoP and photographers Richard Blanshard and John Daly BSC were on-hand to capture the action, the collaboration and the excitement of the latest BSC Expo at Battersea Evolution earlier this month, and you can take in the sights and faces from this year's show here at British Cinematographer.
Deakins’ visuals on 1917 win the Academy Award for CInematography
1917 was a three-time Oscar winner at the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday 9th February, including the trophy for 'Best Cinematography' to Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC - who takes the Oscar for the second time in three years.
Cut it Power Saving Initiative launches at 2020 BSC Expo
The 2020 BSC Expo saw the launch of Cut It, the first crew-led initiative to tackle carbon emissions in film and TV production.
A Letter From Our Editor, Ron Prince…
During this difficult time, British Cinematographer Editor, Ron Prince, shares a heartfelt letter expressing our deepest thanks & gratitude to everyone connected with our magazine - far and wide - for your support.
New Covid-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund set up
The BFI and The Film and TV Charity have partnered to create the new fund, established with a £1m donation from Netflix, to help support the creative community, which has been devastated by the pandemic.
BSC urges members to “Stay in touch and be supportive” during COVID-19 outbreak
BSC president Mike Eley BSC sends a message of support and reassurance to society members during the COVID-19 outbreak.
UK Film Industry Supports Anti-Terrorism Campaign
Camera-stabilisation technology developer, Rizwan Wadan, is one of the few practicing Muslims in the mainstream filming industry in the UK, and it is his firm belief that it is important to open dialogues and debates through the visual medium and advocate film to the BAME and Muslim communities.
Inside The New Issue: 98
Described by Baz Luhrmann as 'an Artist and a General' - Australian cinematographer Mandy Walker ACS ASC leads the way to visualise Disney's live-action remake of Mulan - our March edition cover feature. Read on to get a sneak preview of this, plus other great content that subscribers can enjoy in the upcoming issue of British Cinematographer magazine - released 16th March.
On the Job
Dan Mindel BSC ASC SASC / Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
The final episode of the epic nine-part 'Skywalker' saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was shot by cinematographer Dan Mindel BSC ASC SASC. Having previously shot the 2017 entry in the Star Wars saga – The Force Awakens – he reveals his thoughts on reuniting with director JJ Abrams, the challenge of lighting entire sequences with lightning alone, and the many benefits of the production’s use of shooting on film.
Talking Heads
Mike Eley BSC “Balancing Acts”
In the March 2020 edition of British Cinematographer, Mike Eley BSC said it's time to actively embrace diversity and inclusion in the camera department.
Close-Up
Zac Nicholson BSC / The Personal History Of David Copperfield
From the very first frames of The Personal History Of David Copperfield, it is clear that the film is going to be an aesthetic feast for its audience’s eyes. For this adaption of Charles Dickens' novel the visuals fell into the capable hands of cinematographer Zac Nicholson BSC.
Spotlight
DMG Lumière by Rosco
A relative newcomer, DMG Lumière, which was bought by long-established US lighting manufacturer Rosco in 2017, has retained their branding and headquarters in France, but has also taken on much of the research and development (R&D) for the new parent's product lines as well as its own.
Close-Up
Eben Bolter BSC / Avenue 5
With a spaceship-sized set, comic timing, a thousand-strong cast, integrated lighting, and a devastating fire, British cinematographer Eben Bolter BSC and the crew of Avenue 5 steered Armando Iannucci’s sci-fi epic to the screen.
Meet the New Wave
Simon Rowling
He's joined the Murtha Skouras Agency in the USA and has a neat trick with a Malteser - it's SFX and producer turned cinematographer Simon Rowling.
Gaffers R Us
Jamie Mills
Jamie Mills honed his craft as a floor electrician, but always aspired to push on to become a gaffer, and is now on the production line of films such as The Batman and Mary Magdalene. Find out more about Jamie's beginnings at LEE lighting, his relationship with fellow gaffer Perry Evans and the experiences he faced on some of his most challenging productions.
Close-Up
Christopher Ross BSC / Cats
The musical fantasy Cats follows a tribe of felines, called the Jellicles, who must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer before coming back to a new Jellicle life. Cinematography on the production came under the auspices of Christopher Ross BSC. Image credit: Giles Keyte (Universal Pictures)
Innovator
Dave Alex Riddett
During a 35-plus year career, director of photography Dave Alex Riddett, has taken inspiration from inventive pioneers such as Georges Méliès, Ray Harryhausen, Gerry Anderson and Derek Meddings to create his own effects for many Aardman Animation productions, as well as his own work.
Across the Pond
March 2020: Just One Language – Visual Language
Mark London Williams regales us this month with his Academy Awards experience, including a behind-the-scenes exclusive from winner Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC. In a packed column from LA, we also hear about the cinematic reboot of the NBC series Manifest from new DP on the scene Sarah Cawley, and words from winners at the Independent Spirit and Art Directors Guild Awards.
Close-Up
Yorick Le Saux AFC / Little Women
Director Greta Gerwig’s adaption of classic 19th Century novel Little Women was given the lighting treatment by AFC member Yorick Le Saux - who reveals why 35mm was the capture choice and which pioneering technique from the likes of Freddie Young and Vilmos Zsigmond he chose to deploy.
Talking Heads
Steven Poster ASC “Caveat Emptor”
Steven Poster ASC urges cinematographers to galvanise like never before in readiness for potential game-changers coming down the line.
Clapperboard
Harvey Harrison BSC
In a career spanning more than five decades, Harvey Harrison BSC worked on a great number of movies with some of the biggest names in the filmmaking business, and recently released his 336-page book of memoirs, entitled 'Check The Gate'. Image credit: Richard Blanshard
Close-Up
Robbie Ryan BSC ISC / Marriage Story
Shot on Kodak 35mm film, director Noah Baumbach’s tragi-comedy Marriage Story earned multiple nominations during the 2020 awards season. Its sure-footed cinematography was composed by Robbie Ryan BSC ISC.
Camera Creative
Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC / 1917
For the January 2020 cover feature. we spoke exclusively in-depth with 1917 cinematographer Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC.
Deakins - who has cleaned up during awards season with Oscar, ASC, BAFTA and BSC accolades for his visuals - tells us about building the film’s dramatic journey as one continuous shot, the switching of cameras between systems during shooting takes, and lighting the spectacular scene in the bombed-out town.
Talking Heads
Mike Eley BSC “May The Force Be With Us”
In the January 2020 edition of British Cinematographer, Mike Eley BSC spoke of his belief that the BSC can be a far greater force for progress in the industry than it already is.
Across the Pond
February 2020: At The Peak Of Their Craft
Mark London Williams steels himself for the Oscars by getting the vibe from L.A. at the ASC, Producers Guild and VES awards in a bumper schedule. Read on for comment and insight from the likes of Donald A. Morgan ASC, Joker director Todd Phillips, and the new ASC CEO Terry McCarthy.
Close-Up
Piotr Sobociński Jr PSC / Corpus Christi
After forging for himself a reputation of one of the leading Polish cinematographers, Piotr Sobociński Jr PSC is on the fast track to astonish the world. Jan Komasa’s internationally applauded Corpus Christi is all the proof you need.
Gaffers R Us
Jonathan Spencer
Having started at BSkyB, Jonathan Spencer has been working as a gaffer and chief lighting technician for the last 10 years - most recently on Waiting for the Barbarians and Angel Has Fallen, and former British Cinematographer cover feature Ghost In The Shell.
Spotlight
MBSinnovations
Pinewood MBS Lighting has made R&D a core part of its operation and is part of a technology-based 'think tank' to help it design and develop new products. MBSinnovations (MBSi) is intended to help MBS companies work with the industry to come up with different approach to lights.
Close-Up
George Steel / The Aeronauts
For Tom Harper's adventure-drama, The Aeronauts, about a historic balloon expedition in 1862, the director turned to frequent collaborator George Steel to provide visuals.
Close-Up
Steve Yedlin ASC / Knives Out
In director Rian Johnson’s highly-acclaimed murder mystery, Knives Out, a family clashes, a patriarch dies, and a master detective leads an investigation that threatens the family’s dark secrets. The movie represents Johnson’s fifth collaboration with cinematographer Steve Yedlin ASC
On the Job
Dan Mindel BSC ASC SASC / Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
The final episode of the epic nine-part 'Skywalker' saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was shot by cinematographer Dan Mindel BSC ASC SASC. Having previously shot the 2017 entry in the Star Wars saga – The Force Awakens – he reveals his thoughts on reuniting with director JJ Abrams, the challenge of lighting entire sequences with lightning alone, and the many benefits of the production’s use of shooting on film.
Talking Heads
Mike Eley BSC “Balancing Acts”
In the March 2020 edition of British Cinematographer, Mike Eley BSC said it's time to actively embrace diversity and inclusion in the camera department.
Close-Up
Zac Nicholson BSC / The Personal History Of David Copperfield
From the very first frames of The Personal History Of David Copperfield, it is clear that the film is going to be an aesthetic feast for its audience’s eyes. For this adaption of Charles Dickens' novel the visuals fell into the capable hands of cinematographer Zac Nicholson BSC.
Spotlight
DMG Lumière by Rosco
A relative newcomer, DMG Lumière, which was bought by long-established US lighting manufacturer Rosco in 2017, has retained their branding and headquarters in France, but has also taken on much of the research and development (R&D) for the new parent's product lines as well as its own.
Close-Up
Eben Bolter BSC / Avenue 5
With a spaceship-sized set, comic timing, a thousand-strong cast, integrated lighting, and a devastating fire, British cinematographer Eben Bolter BSC and the crew of Avenue 5 steered Armando Iannucci’s sci-fi epic to the screen.
Meet the New Wave
Simon Rowling
He's joined the Murtha Skouras Agency in the USA and has a neat trick with a Malteser - it's SFX and producer turned cinematographer Simon Rowling.
Gaffers R Us
Jamie Mills
Jamie Mills honed his craft as a floor electrician, but always aspired to push on to become a gaffer, and is now on the production line of films such as The Batman and Mary Magdalene. Find out more about Jamie's beginnings at LEE lighting, his relationship with fellow gaffer Perry Evans and the experiences he faced on some of his most challenging productions.
Issue 98 – March 2020
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