Exclusive: The Murtha Skouras Agency, representing top below-the-line talent, has elevated longtime agents Hillary Cook and Karen Berch to Partner, founding partners Ann Murtha and Spyros Skouras announced on Friday.
Created in 2016 following the mergers of The Murtha Agency and The Skouras Agency, The Murtha Skouras Agency has had Cook and Berch serving in the film and television arm ever since.
“Hillary and Karen, longtime agents of The Murtha Skouras Agency, have been indispensable, passionate members of our team. Both possess a wealth of knowledge, experience and a deep commitment to promoting and celebrating the art of film,” Murtha and Skouras said in a joint statement. “They are also known for their honesty, integrity, unwavering dedication, exceptional work ethic, commitment to excellence, and professionalism. With these promotions, we are delighted to recognize their accomplishments – and future achievements.”
Recently, Cook and Berch saw client Arthur Max receive his fourth Oscar nomination...
Created in 2016 following the mergers of The Murtha Agency and The Skouras Agency, The Murtha Skouras Agency has had Cook and Berch serving in the film and television arm ever since.
“Hillary and Karen, longtime agents of The Murtha Skouras Agency, have been indispensable, passionate members of our team. Both possess a wealth of knowledge, experience and a deep commitment to promoting and celebrating the art of film,” Murtha and Skouras said in a joint statement. “They are also known for their honesty, integrity, unwavering dedication, exceptional work ethic, commitment to excellence, and professionalism. With these promotions, we are delighted to recognize their accomplishments – and future achievements.”
Recently, Cook and Berch saw client Arthur Max receive his fourth Oscar nomination...
- 3/15/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Oppenheimer” lenser Hoyte van Hoytema took top honors from the American Society of Cinematographers on Sunday. He edged out all four of his Oscar rivals for Best Cinematography: Edward Lachman (“El Conde”), Matthew Libatique (“Maestro”), Rodrigo Prieto (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) and Robbie Ryan (“Poor Things”).
Over its 38-year history, the ASC has predicted 152 of the 190 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five this year and in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall,...
Over its 38-year history, the ASC has predicted 152 of the 190 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five this year and in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall,...
- 3/4/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
An excerpt from director Ed Zwick’s new memoir “Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood” (published by Vanity Fair) reveals the tensions that existed on the set of his 1994 Western epic “Legends of the Fall.” Zwick writes that he had a rocky relationship with leading man Brad Pitt, who was cast in the role of Tristan Ludlow after Tom Cruise dropped out. Pitt’s agent allegedly called Zwick after the first table read “to say Brad wanted to quit.”
“It fell to [producer] Marshall [Herskovitz] to talk Brad off the ledge,” Zwick writes. “It was the first augury of the deeper springs of emotion roiling inside Brad. He seems easygoing at first, but he can be volatile when riled, as I was to be reminded more than once as shooting began and we took each other’s measure.”
“Sometimes, no matter how experienced or sensitive you are as a director,...
“It fell to [producer] Marshall [Herskovitz] to talk Brad off the ledge,” Zwick writes. “It was the first augury of the deeper springs of emotion roiling inside Brad. He seems easygoing at first, but he can be volatile when riled, as I was to be reminded more than once as shooting began and we took each other’s measure.”
“Sometimes, no matter how experienced or sensitive you are as a director,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
The American Society of Cinematographers nominees announced on January 11 include only four of our five leading Oscar contenders for Best Cinematography: frontrunner Hoyte van Hoytema for “Oppenheimer”plus Matthew Libatique (“Maestro”), Rodrigo Prieto (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) and Robbie Ryan (“Poor Things”). Our other predicted nominee, Łukasz Zal (“The Zone of Interest”), got bumped by Edward Lachman (“El Conde”).
Over its 37-year history, the ASC has predicted 147 of the 185 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll,...
Over its 37-year history, the ASC has predicted 147 of the 185 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. Last year, it previewed three of the Best Cinematography contenders — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”), Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”). While Walker won over the ASC, she lost the Oscar to “All Quiet on the Western Front” lenser James Friend.
Indeed, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
At five of the last 10 Oscars, Best Cinematography has gone hand-in-hand with Best Director: Emmanuel Lubezki and Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity” (2014); Lubezki and Alejandro G. Inarritu for both “Birdman” (2015) and “The Revenant” (2016); Linus Sandgren and Damien Chazelle for “La La Land” (2017); and Cuaron doing double duty on “Roma” (2019). Will that trend hold true this year? (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2024 Oscar predictions for Best Cinematography.)
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception” and “Gravity” first prevailed at the American Society of Cinematographers Awards,...
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception” and “Gravity” first prevailed at the American Society of Cinematographers Awards,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Paul Sheehan and Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
Matt Damon joked that a kissing scene with one of the biggest actors in Hollywood was a nightmare. In 2011, he starred in We Bought a Zoo with Scarlett Johansson. While the two got along, Damon noted that he didn’t enjoy kissing her. He shared why Johansson’s lunch made the scene unpleasant.
Matt Damon joked about the challenge of kissing an A-List actor
In a conversation for LADbible TV with his Oppenheimer co-star Emily Blunt, Damon spoke about filming a kissing scene with Johansson in We Bought a Zoo.
“We went to lunch and she and I both thought it was over and she ate, like, an onion sandwich,” Damon said. “And she came in and [director] Cameron Crowe had set the camera up and it was, like, a tight shot of the kiss, and she goes, ‘Oh s***, I literally just had an onion sandwich!'”
He joked that...
Matt Damon joked about the challenge of kissing an A-List actor
In a conversation for LADbible TV with his Oppenheimer co-star Emily Blunt, Damon spoke about filming a kissing scene with Johansson in We Bought a Zoo.
“We went to lunch and she and I both thought it was over and she ate, like, an onion sandwich,” Damon said. “And she came in and [director] Cameron Crowe had set the camera up and it was, like, a tight shot of the kiss, and she goes, ‘Oh s***, I literally just had an onion sandwich!'”
He joked that...
- 8/22/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Shelly Johnson has been elected the 47th president of the American Society of Cinematographers. He succeeds Stephen Lighthill, who reached his term limit, having completed his second consecutive two-year term as president (and third overall).
The ASC Board also elected a slate of officers that includes VPs Charlie Lieberman, John Simmons and Patti Lee; treasurer Charles Minsky; secretary Dejan Georgevich; and sergeant-at-arms Chris Chomyn.
The members of the board, elected by the organization’s active membership, also include Mandy Walker (who became the first woman to win the ASC Award in features earlier this year for her lensing of Elvis), former Academy president John Bailey, Patrick Cady, Steven Fierberg, Michael Goi, Charles Minsky, Lowell Peterson, Lawrence Sher, Eric Steelberg, John Toll and Amy Vincent. Alternate members of the board are Karl Walter Lindenlaub, Georgevich, Denis Lenoir, Steven Poster and Mark Irwin.
Johnson, a California native, graduated from the Art Center College of Design...
The ASC Board also elected a slate of officers that includes VPs Charlie Lieberman, John Simmons and Patti Lee; treasurer Charles Minsky; secretary Dejan Georgevich; and sergeant-at-arms Chris Chomyn.
The members of the board, elected by the organization’s active membership, also include Mandy Walker (who became the first woman to win the ASC Award in features earlier this year for her lensing of Elvis), former Academy president John Bailey, Patrick Cady, Steven Fierberg, Michael Goi, Charles Minsky, Lowell Peterson, Lawrence Sher, Eric Steelberg, John Toll and Amy Vincent. Alternate members of the board are Karl Walter Lindenlaub, Georgevich, Denis Lenoir, Steven Poster and Mark Irwin.
Johnson, a California native, graduated from the Art Center College of Design...
- 5/22/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Elvis” lenser Mandy Walker became the first woman to take top honors from the American Society of Cinematographers on Sunday. She edged out two of her Oscar rivals for Best Cinematography — Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”) who reaped his 17th bid, and Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) — plus last year’s winner with both the guild and the Oscars Greig Fraser (“The Batman”) and Claudio Miranda (“Top Gun: Maverick”). The other Oscar nominees are James Friend (“All Quiet on the Western Front”) and Florian Hoffmeister (“Tar”).
Over its 37-year history, the ASC has predicted 147 of the 185 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall,...
Over its 37-year history, the ASC has predicted 147 of the 185 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall,...
- 3/6/2023
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
At six of the last 10 Oscars, Best Cinematography has gone hand-in-hand with Best Director: Claudio Miranda and Ang Lee for “Life of Pi” (2013); Emmanuel Lubezki and Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity” (2014); Lubezki and Alejandro G. Inarritu for both “Birdman” (2015) and “The Revenant” (2016); Linus Sandgren and Damien Chazelle for “La La Land” (2017); and Cuaron doing double duty on “Roma” (2019). Will that trend hold true this year? (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2023 Oscars Best Cinematography predictions.)
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception” and “Gravity...
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception” and “Gravity...
- 2/6/2023
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
A sweet if toothless “Girls Trip” for the “Golden Girls” crowd, “80 for Brady” unites four Hollywood legends — “Grace and Frankie” duo Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field — as a real-life gang of octogenarian amigas who road-tripped to the 2017 Super Bowl to cheer on their favorite quarterback, Tom Brady. Selected as the opening-night cork-popper for the Palm Springs International Film Festival (whose diva-worshiping audience reps the two demographics this featherweight offering serves best: gay and gray), Kyle Marvin’s directorial debut is a pleasant enough reminder that these gals are still game for a good time.
More fuddy-duddy buddy comedy than sports film, the female-scripted laffer (co-written by Sarah Haskins and Emily Halpern) celebrates the fact that football appeals to more than just bros. Never mind that its central foursome seems less interested in Brady’s form than in how well he fills out his uniform. Here,...
More fuddy-duddy buddy comedy than sports film, the female-scripted laffer (co-written by Sarah Haskins and Emily Halpern) celebrates the fact that football appeals to more than just bros. Never mind that its central foursome seems less interested in Brady’s form than in how well he fills out his uniform. Here,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
The American Society of Cinematographers nominees announced on January 9 include only one of our five leading Oscar contenders for Best Cinematography: frontrunner Claudio Miranda for “Top Gun: Maverick.” The other four contenders are ASC stalwart Roger Deakins (“Empire of Light”) who reaped his 17th bid; last year’s winner with both the guild and the Oscars Greig Fraser (“The Batman”); Darius Khondji (“Bardo”) and Mandy Walker (“Elvis”).
This quartet figures in our top 10 but we are predicting that joining Miranda in the Oscar line-up will be Russell Carpenter (“Avatar: The Way of Water”); James Friend (“All Quiet on the Western Front”); Janusz Kaminski (“The Fabelmens”); and Linus Sandgren (“Babylon”).
Over its 36-year history, the ASC has predicted 144 of the 180 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017.
However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler,...
This quartet figures in our top 10 but we are predicting that joining Miranda in the Oscar line-up will be Russell Carpenter (“Avatar: The Way of Water”); James Friend (“All Quiet on the Western Front”); Janusz Kaminski (“The Fabelmens”); and Linus Sandgren (“Babylon”).
Over its 36-year history, the ASC has predicted 144 of the 180 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017.
However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 17 times:
Dean Semler,...
- 1/9/2023
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Steven Spielberg classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (watch it Here), and earlier this year Universal celebrated the anniversary by giving the film a re-release on IMAX screens. Next up, they’re going to be giving E.T. a 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital release on October 18th (pre-order Here). In anticipation of that release, we’ve gotten our hands on an Exclusive clip that gives a glimpse behind-the-scenes of E.T. and shows Spielberg working with E.T. himself while Chris Columbus discusses the film’s practical special effects. Check it out in the embed above!
Scripted by Melissa Mathison, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has the following synopsis:
After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott. Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., as the alien is dubbed,...
Scripted by Melissa Mathison, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has the following synopsis:
After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott. Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., as the alien is dubbed,...
- 10/14/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Universal City, California, August 23, 2022 – Journey back to the magic and adventure of E.T. The Extra-terrestrial, the beloved masterpiece from Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg, with this all-new release celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film, available to own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rayTM, and Digital October 18th, 2022 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. There has never been a better time to relive this cinematic classic and four-time Academy Award® winner including Best Music by legendary composer John Williams. The anniversary release showcases over 45 minutes of all-new bonus features including a retrospective of the film and its lasting legacy and a featurette with Steven Spielberg reflecting on his career and the making of E.T. 40 years later. This release also includes all the original bonus features including deleted scenes, cast and filmmaker reunion, a discussion with John Williams about the iconic music from the film, and more. This E.T. The Extra-terrestrial...
- 8/24/2022
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
The board of governors at the American Society of Cinematographers on Monday reelected Stephen Lighthill as president for a third one-year term.
The news comes as the ASC board held its 2022-23 officer elections. Lighthill will serve alongside Vice Presidents Amy Vincent, John Simmons and Shelly Johnson; Treasurer Steven Poster; Secretary Gregg Heschong; and Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Chomyn.
“As an organization, we are focused on education, continued improvements of safety practices, and further expanding our diversity and outreach efforts,” Lighthill said. “The last year has presented many adversities for our community, and we are proud of how our members met these challenges while continuing to take storytelling to new places.”
The members of the ASC board, elected by the organization’s active membership, also include Curtis Clark, Richard Crudo, Steven Fierberg, Michael Goi, Ed Lachman, Patti Lee, Charlie Lieberman, Lowell Peterson, Lawrence Sher, John Toll and Robert Yeoman. John Bailey, Eric Steelberg,...
The news comes as the ASC board held its 2022-23 officer elections. Lighthill will serve alongside Vice Presidents Amy Vincent, John Simmons and Shelly Johnson; Treasurer Steven Poster; Secretary Gregg Heschong; and Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Chomyn.
“As an organization, we are focused on education, continued improvements of safety practices, and further expanding our diversity and outreach efforts,” Lighthill said. “The last year has presented many adversities for our community, and we are proud of how our members met these challenges while continuing to take storytelling to new places.”
The members of the ASC board, elected by the organization’s active membership, also include Curtis Clark, Richard Crudo, Steven Fierberg, Michael Goi, Ed Lachman, Patti Lee, Charlie Lieberman, Lowell Peterson, Lawrence Sher, John Toll and Robert Yeoman. John Bailey, Eric Steelberg,...
- 5/23/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The American Society of Cinematographers awarded Greig Fraser its top prize for his work on “Dune” at its annual awards on Sunday. He edged out three of his Oscar rivals for Best Cinematography: Bruno Delbonnel for “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Dan Laustsen for “Nightmare Alley” and Ari Wegner for “The Power of the Dog.” The fifth ASC contender was Haris Zamberloukos for “Belfast” who bumped Oscar nominee Janusz Kamiński for “West Side Story.”
Over its 36-year history, the ASC has predicted 144 of the 180 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 16 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall, “Road to Perdition” (2003)
Dion Beebe, “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2006)
Robert Elswit,...
Over its 36-year history, the ASC has predicted 144 of the 180 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 16 times:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall, “Road to Perdition” (2003)
Dion Beebe, “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2006)
Robert Elswit,...
- 3/21/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Opposition to the Academy’s plan to award eight Oscars prior to the live telecast continues to grow, with more than 350 new names — including more than a dozen Oscar-winning editors, cinematographers and production designers — added to the petition sent last week to Academy president David Rubin urging a reversal of the plan.
Among the industry professionals signing are Oscar-winning cinematographers John Seale (“The English Patient”), John Toll (“Braveheart”) and Dean Semler (“Dances With Wolves”), and Oscar-winning editors Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch (“Star Wars”), Mikkel Neilsen (“The Sound of Metal”), Pietro Scalia (“JFK”) and Zach Staenberg (“The Matrix”).
Oscar-winning production designers Hannah Beachler (“Black Panther”), Barbara Ling (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), Adam Stockhausen (“Grand Budapest Hotel”) and David and Sandy Wasco (“La La Land”) also signed on.
Cinematography will be presented during the live show, but editing and production design are among the eight awards to be presented during the 4 p.
Among the industry professionals signing are Oscar-winning cinematographers John Seale (“The English Patient”), John Toll (“Braveheart”) and Dean Semler (“Dances With Wolves”), and Oscar-winning editors Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch (“Star Wars”), Mikkel Neilsen (“The Sound of Metal”), Pietro Scalia (“JFK”) and Zach Staenberg (“The Matrix”).
Oscar-winning production designers Hannah Beachler (“Black Panther”), Barbara Ling (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), Adam Stockhausen (“Grand Budapest Hotel”) and David and Sandy Wasco (“La La Land”) also signed on.
Cinematography will be presented during the live show, but editing and production design are among the eight awards to be presented during the 4 p.
- 3/17/2022
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
The American Society of Cinematographers nominations announced on January 25 include four of our five leading Oscar contenders for Best Cinematography including the frontrunner to win — Greig Fraser for “Dune” — as well as Bruno Delbonnel for “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Ari Wegner for “The Power of the Dog” and Haris Zamberloukos for “Belfast.”
Our fifth predicted Oscar nominee, Janusz Kaminski for “West Side Story,” was snubbed in favor of our sixth-ranked contender, Dan Laustsen for “Nightmare Alley.”
Over its 35-year history, the ASC has predicted 140 of the 175 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 16 times in 35 years:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall, “Road to Perdition” (2003)
Dion Beebe, “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2006)
Robert Elswit,...
Our fifth predicted Oscar nominee, Janusz Kaminski for “West Side Story,” was snubbed in favor of our sixth-ranked contender, Dan Laustsen for “Nightmare Alley.”
Over its 35-year history, the ASC has predicted 140 of the 175 Oscar nominees, including four in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 16 times in 35 years:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall, “Road to Perdition” (2003)
Dion Beebe, “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2006)
Robert Elswit,...
- 1/25/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
At six of the last nine Oscars, Best Cinematography has gone hand-in-hand with Best Director: Claudio Miranda and Ang Lee for “Life of Pi” (2013); Emmanuel Lubezki and Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity” (2014); Lubezki and Alejandro G. Inarritu for both “Birdman” (2015) and “The Revenant” (2016); Linus Sandgren and Damien Chazelle for “La La Land” (2017); and Cuaron doing double duty on “Roma” (2019). Will that trend hold true this year? (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2022 Oscars predictions for Best Cinematography.)
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception...
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception...
- 1/23/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Director Lana Wachowski and her crew were 17 days into the shoot on “The Matrix Resurrections” when they had to shut down due to the pandemic; when they resumed production several months later, frequent Wachowski cinematographer John Toll opted not to return due to health issues in his family. Toll’s departure created an opportunity for camera operator Daniele Massaccesi, who stepped into the director of photography role — his first on a big-budget studio production — and helped create a new visual grammar for one of the most famous franchises in film history.
“Resurrections,” the fourth “Matrix” movie and the first in almost 20 years, represents the latest step in Wachowski’s evolution toward a more improvisational approach to filmmaking, an evolution in which Massaccesi played a key role. “I did a few days on ‘Speed Racer,’ and then ‘Cloud Atlas,’ which was probably the first time Lana and Lilly [Wachowski] shot on location,...
“Resurrections,” the fourth “Matrix” movie and the first in almost 20 years, represents the latest step in Wachowski’s evolution toward a more improvisational approach to filmmaking, an evolution in which Massaccesi played a key role. “I did a few days on ‘Speed Racer,’ and then ‘Cloud Atlas,’ which was probably the first time Lana and Lilly [Wachowski] shot on location,...
- 12/22/2021
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Are you ready to enter the Matrix again? From visionary filmmaker Lana Wachowski comes “The Matrix Resurrections,” the long-awaited fourth film in the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre. Set to release on December 22nd worldwide, the new film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
In “The Matrix Resurrections,” return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a physical or mental construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more. And if Thomas…Neo…has learned anything, it’s that choice, while an illusion, is still the only way out of—or into—the Matrix. Of course, Neo already knows what he has to do. But what he doesn’t yet know is the Matrix is stronger,...
In “The Matrix Resurrections,” return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a physical or mental construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more. And if Thomas…Neo…has learned anything, it’s that choice, while an illusion, is still the only way out of—or into—the Matrix. Of course, Neo already knows what he has to do. But what he doesn’t yet know is the Matrix is stronger,...
- 12/7/2021
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
A brand-new trailer is here for the highly anticipated The Matrix Resurrections.
From visionary filmmaker Lana Wachowski comes “The Matrix Resurrections,” the long-awaited next chapter in the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre. The new film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
In “The Matrix Resurrections,” return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a physical or mental construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more. And if Thomas…Neo…has learned anything, it’s that choice, while an illusion, is still the only way out of—or into—the Matrix. Of course, Neo already knows what he has to do. But what he doesn’t yet know is the Matrix is stronger,...
From visionary filmmaker Lana Wachowski comes “The Matrix Resurrections,” the long-awaited next chapter in the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre. The new film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
In “The Matrix Resurrections,” return to a world of two realities: one, everyday life; the other, what lies behind it. To find out if his reality is a physical or mental construct, to truly know himself, Mr. Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more. And if Thomas…Neo…has learned anything, it’s that choice, while an illusion, is still the only way out of—or into—the Matrix. Of course, Neo already knows what he has to do. But what he doesn’t yet know is the Matrix is stronger,...
- 12/7/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A new trailer for “The Matrix Resurrections” has landed, bringing with it more eye-popping action sequences and more questions about Lana Wachowski’s big return to the iconic action franchise. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are back as franchise protagonists Neo and Trinity, but the characters no longer remember each other following the events of the original “Matrix” trilogy. Franchise newcomer Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Morpheus, but he’s not Lawrence Fishburne’s iteration of the character that fans love.
“I think what the script provided was a new narrative and some new opportunities that did make room within the Matrix universe for a new Morpheus,” Abdul-Mateen II teased to Entertainment Weekly in October. “I play a character who’s definitely aware of the history of the Matrix [and] the history of Morpheus. This character is on a journey of self-discovery. There’s a lot in our story that’s about growth,...
“I think what the script provided was a new narrative and some new opportunities that did make room within the Matrix universe for a new Morpheus,” Abdul-Mateen II teased to Entertainment Weekly in October. “I play a character who’s definitely aware of the history of the Matrix [and] the history of Morpheus. This character is on a journey of self-discovery. There’s a lot in our story that’s about growth,...
- 12/6/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The Matrix Resurrections opens in Theaters and HBO Max on December 22.
Recently the actor was interviewed by Esquire magazine for the Winter 2021 issue. https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a38241136/keanu-reeves-interview-2021/
The star of Constantine, John Wick, The Lake House and Speed, among a multitude of others, loves movies. “When he’s home for a stretch and has a day with nothing to do, he sometimes goes to the movie theater and sees two, maybe three movies in a day. He loves, loves, loves movies. Even on an off day while he’s working—he went to see Dune the other night in Paris. (“Awesome.”)”
Watch the Q&a video with this delightful, funny actor.
Reeves stars in the highly anticipated and long awaited film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
The film also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (the “Aquaman” franchise) Jessica Henwick,...
Recently the actor was interviewed by Esquire magazine for the Winter 2021 issue. https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a38241136/keanu-reeves-interview-2021/
The star of Constantine, John Wick, The Lake House and Speed, among a multitude of others, loves movies. “When he’s home for a stretch and has a day with nothing to do, he sometimes goes to the movie theater and sees two, maybe three movies in a day. He loves, loves, loves movies. Even on an off day while he’s working—he went to see Dune the other night in Paris. (“Awesome.”)”
Watch the Q&a video with this delightful, funny actor.
Reeves stars in the highly anticipated and long awaited film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
The film also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (the “Aquaman” franchise) Jessica Henwick,...
- 11/24/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive: By a narrow margin, IATSE’s largest local, the International Cinematographers Guild Local 600, was one of five Los Angeles-based locals that voted to reject the union’s new film and TV contract, with eight other locals providing the margin needed for ratification.
Local 600 leaders, who had recommended a Yes vote on the contract, told their nearly 9,000 members today that “with over 80% of eligible Local 600 voters voting, our members narrowly rejected the tentative agreement 48% to 52%, a difference of 270 votes out of 6,398 cast.”
Editors Guild Local 700, which is IATSE’s second-largest local, with 6,000-plus members, voted in favor of ratification, but had it gone the other way — as it did three years ago, when it was the only local to oppose ratification — the new contract would have been rejected.
Under IATSE’s electoral college-style ratification system, each of the 13 Hollywood locals covered by the Basic Agreement is allotted as many winner-take-all...
Local 600 leaders, who had recommended a Yes vote on the contract, told their nearly 9,000 members today that “with over 80% of eligible Local 600 voters voting, our members narrowly rejected the tentative agreement 48% to 52%, a difference of 270 votes out of 6,398 cast.”
Editors Guild Local 700, which is IATSE’s second-largest local, with 6,000-plus members, voted in favor of ratification, but had it gone the other way — as it did three years ago, when it was the only local to oppose ratification — the new contract would have been rejected.
Under IATSE’s electoral college-style ratification system, each of the 13 Hollywood locals covered by the Basic Agreement is allotted as many winner-take-all...
- 11/15/2021
- by David Robb and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
IATSE, which has made brutally long workdays a key safety issue in its negotiations for a new film and TV contract, says that between January and July of this year it “received well over 50 reports of workdays 14 hours or longer, and it is likely that is just the tip of the iceberg. Nobody should accept or defend 14-hour days as an industry standard.”
Earlier this week, IATSE president Matthew Loeb said that the contract negotiations have reached a “critical juncture,” and has been preparing his members for a possible strike or lockout.
“The science is clear,” the union says in a pamphlet distributed to members recently. “Long and irregular hours without adequate breaks and rest are unsafe. The IATSE Locals are unified in their recognition that no other industry demands its employees work without bathroom, meal, or relaxation breaks day after day. The IATSE Locals are unified in their understanding...
Earlier this week, IATSE president Matthew Loeb said that the contract negotiations have reached a “critical juncture,” and has been preparing his members for a possible strike or lockout.
“The science is clear,” the union says in a pamphlet distributed to members recently. “Long and irregular hours without adequate breaks and rest are unsafe. The IATSE Locals are unified in their recognition that no other industry demands its employees work without bathroom, meal, or relaxation breaks day after day. The IATSE Locals are unified in their understanding...
- 9/18/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Pictures has released a first teaser poster along with the website for The Matrix Resurrections, prior to the first big trailer release this Thursday. In the original movie, Neo (Keanu Reeves) was told by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne): “You take the blue pill…the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill…you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” Neo chooses the red pill and joins the rebellion.
http://whatisthematrix.com/
The long-awaited fourth film in the “Matrix” universe, the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre, “The Matrix Resurrections” reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss as Neo and Trinity, the iconic roles they made famous in “The Matrix.”
The film also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (the “Aquaman” franchise) Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris (“Gone Girl”), Priyanka Chopra Jonas,...
http://whatisthematrix.com/
The long-awaited fourth film in the “Matrix” universe, the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre, “The Matrix Resurrections” reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss as Neo and Trinity, the iconic roles they made famous in “The Matrix.”
The film also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (the “Aquaman” franchise) Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris (“Gone Girl”), Priyanka Chopra Jonas,...
- 9/7/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A letter from International Cinematographers Guild President John Lindley and 13 other top cinematographers was sent to Hollywood studios urging them to reduce excessively long workday hours on film sets as they resumed talks with IATSE on Tuesday on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Along with Lindley, the letter was signed by four Oscar-winning cinematographers, including Roger A. Deakins, Emmanuel Lubezki (“The Revenant”), Erik Messerschmidt (“Mank”) and John Toll (“Braveheart”).
“We are Local 600 Directors of Photography who are writing to express our ongoing concern about the hazards of unsafe working hours, a practice that continues despite all the medical and indisputable evidence of the harm caused by fatigue,” their letter says. “Most notable are the numerous car accidents our colleagues have suffered in recent years, including the weekend before we entered these negotiations.”
Workday hours have been established by IATSE locals as a major talking point heading into this round of...
Along with Lindley, the letter was signed by four Oscar-winning cinematographers, including Roger A. Deakins, Emmanuel Lubezki (“The Revenant”), Erik Messerschmidt (“Mank”) and John Toll (“Braveheart”).
“We are Local 600 Directors of Photography who are writing to express our ongoing concern about the hazards of unsafe working hours, a practice that continues despite all the medical and indisputable evidence of the harm caused by fatigue,” their letter says. “Most notable are the numerous car accidents our colleagues have suffered in recent years, including the weekend before we entered these negotiations.”
Workday hours have been established by IATSE locals as a major talking point heading into this round of...
- 8/19/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Hollywood cinematographers have signed a letter urging the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to address “the hazards of unsafe working hours” that have plagued the industry for decades.
Among the signatories are Academy Award winners Emmanuel Lubezki (“Gravity”), John Toll (“Braveheart”), Roger Deakins (“1917”), and Erik Messerschmidt (“Mank”), as well as Oscar nominee Rodrigo Prieto (“Brokeback Mountain”).
Also signed by John Lindley — president of the International Cinematographers Guild, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 600 — the letter asks producers “to create meaningful change” now.
The letter was obtained by Deadline and written ahead of Tuesday’s contract negotiations between IATSE and the Producers alliance. The letter “notes that drowsy driving after workdays that can last 14 hours or more have contributed to numerous auto accidents over the years, including one that occurred just before the contract talks began in May.”
Discussions over how to solve the problem of “drowsy driving,...
Among the signatories are Academy Award winners Emmanuel Lubezki (“Gravity”), John Toll (“Braveheart”), Roger Deakins (“1917”), and Erik Messerschmidt (“Mank”), as well as Oscar nominee Rodrigo Prieto (“Brokeback Mountain”).
Also signed by John Lindley — president of the International Cinematographers Guild, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 600 — the letter asks producers “to create meaningful change” now.
The letter was obtained by Deadline and written ahead of Tuesday’s contract negotiations between IATSE and the Producers alliance. The letter “notes that drowsy driving after workdays that can last 14 hours or more have contributed to numerous auto accidents over the years, including one that occurred just before the contract talks began in May.”
Discussions over how to solve the problem of “drowsy driving,...
- 8/19/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Fourteen of Hollywood’s top cinematographers – including Oscar winners John Toll, Roger Deakins, Emmanuel Lubezki and Erik Messerschmidt – have signed a letter urging the member companies of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to finally address “the hazards of unsafe working hours” that have been common in the film and TV industry for decades. Their letter, which also was signed by John Lindley, president of the International Cinematographers Guild, IATSE Local 600, says “the time to create meaningful change is now.”
The letter, obtained by Deadline and penned before Tuesday’s resumption of contract negotiations between IATSE and the AMPTP, notes that drowsy driving after workdays that can last 14 hours or more have contributed to numerous auto accidents over the years, including one that occurred just before the contract talks began in May.
Hollywood’s Grueling Hours & Drowsy-Driving Problem: Crew Members Speak Out Despite Threat To Careers
“We...
The letter, obtained by Deadline and penned before Tuesday’s resumption of contract negotiations between IATSE and the AMPTP, notes that drowsy driving after workdays that can last 14 hours or more have contributed to numerous auto accidents over the years, including one that occurred just before the contract talks began in May.
Hollywood’s Grueling Hours & Drowsy-Driving Problem: Crew Members Speak Out Despite Threat To Careers
“We...
- 8/19/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is one of the fresh faces joining “The Matrix” in Lana Wachowski’s upcoming fourth entry, and he told The Hollywood Reporter he was starstruck on set when Keanu Reeves arrived for their first scene together. Reeves is reprising his iconic role of Neo in “The Matrix 4,” while original star Carrie-Anne Moss is also back as Trinity. Both characters appeared to die at the end of “The Matrix Revolutions,” so their resurrections for “The Matrix 4″ will most likely drive the plot. No specifics on the storyline have been revealed, nor Emmy winner Abdul-Mateen II’s role in the motion picture.
“I remember Keanu and his first line,” the actor told THR. “I looked up, and there was Keanu, and I said, ‘Oh shit, I’m really in “The Matrix,”‘ It was just Keanu in that voice. And the technology that Lana incorporated and the filmmaking, camera...
“I remember Keanu and his first line,” the actor told THR. “I looked up, and there was Keanu, and I said, ‘Oh shit, I’m really in “The Matrix,”‘ It was just Keanu in that voice. And the technology that Lana incorporated and the filmmaking, camera...
- 8/11/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Stephen Lighthill has been re-elected president of the American Society of Cinematographers. He was elevated to the post last year, having previously served as president from 2012-13. He will serve his next one-year term alongside vice presidents Amy Vincent, Steven Fierberg and John Simmons; treasurer Steven Poster; secretary Gregg Heschong, and sergeant-at-arms Jim Denault, who were elected by the Society’s board of governors.
“As we safely emerge from the pandemic, we plan to continue to share our expertise on best practices for remote solutions and virtual production in service to the artistic process of filmmaking,” Lighthill said. “We also remain focused on recruiting diverse and inclusive crews as well as supporting underrepresented filmmakers through our scholarship and mentorship programs.”
In a statement, the non-profit organization said that he and the board “have been guiding the Society through the challenging transitions necessitated by the global pandemic, focusing on helping members...
“As we safely emerge from the pandemic, we plan to continue to share our expertise on best practices for remote solutions and virtual production in service to the artistic process of filmmaking,” Lighthill said. “We also remain focused on recruiting diverse and inclusive crews as well as supporting underrepresented filmmakers through our scholarship and mentorship programs.”
In a statement, the non-profit organization said that he and the board “have been guiding the Society through the challenging transitions necessitated by the global pandemic, focusing on helping members...
- 5/24/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The American Society of Cinematographers were so impressed by the black-and-white lensing of “Mank” that it awarded Erik Messerschmidt the Best Cinematography prize at its annual awards on Sunday. He edged out three of his Oscar rivals — Phedon Papamichael for “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Joshua James Richards for “Nomadland” and Dariusz Wolski for “News of the World — as well Newton Thomas Sigel for “Cherry. The fifth Oscar contender, Sean Bobbitt for “Judas and the Black Messiah,” was snubbed by the ASC.
Over its 35-year history, the ASC has predicted 140 of the 175 Oscar nominees, including four in both 2019 and 2020 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 15 times in 34 years:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L.
Over its 35-year history, the ASC has predicted 140 of the 175 Oscar nominees, including four in both 2019 and 2020 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 15 times in 34 years:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L.
- 4/18/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The American Society of Cinematographers nominees announced on March 10 include four of the five leading Oscar contenders for Best Cinematography including Erik Messerschmidt for “Mank” as well as Phedon Papamichael for “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Joshua James Richards for “Nomadland” and Dariusz Wolski for “News of the World. Also in contention is Newton Thomas Sigel for “Cherry. The fifth Oscar contender, Sean Bobbitt for “Judas and the Black Messiah” was snubbed by the guild.
Over its 35-year history, the ASC has predicted 140 of the 175 Oscar nominees, including four in both 2019 and 2020 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 15 times in 34 years:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall, “Road to Perdition” (2003)
Dion Beebe,...
Over its 35-year history, the ASC has predicted 140 of the 175 Oscar nominees, including four in both 2019 and 2020 and all five in both 2018 and 2017. However, the ASC choice for the best in the business has presaged the eventual winner at the Oscars only 15 times in 34 years:
Dean Semler, “Dances with Wolves” (1991)
John Toll, “Braveheart” (1996)
John Seale, “The English Patient” (1997)
Russell Carpenter, “Titanic” (1998)
Conrad L. Hall, “American Beauty” (2000)
Conrad L. Hall, “Road to Perdition” (2003)
Dion Beebe,...
- 4/16/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
“Nomadland” cinematographer Joshua James Richards and director Chloé Zhao met at NYU Film School and have worked together ever since.
“There was a bond formed just through our taste and visually what we were drawn to,” Richards told IndieWire.
Following film school, the collaborators spent a great deal of time traveling the American West, in particular South Dakota, where they made their first two features, “Songs My Brothers Taught Me” and “The Rider.” Like “Nomadland,” both films feature first-time performers in stories set against expansive western landscapes.
In a far-ranging interview, Richards discusses how their collaboration and filmic language evolved over the three films.
The following interview excerpts have been lightly edited for clarity.
Moving with Fern
Richards: Soon as Chloé started talking about “Nomadland,” I thought, “This is a camera that needs to move with Fern (Frances McDormand). We gotta be in a fluid, mercurial motion through this movie.
“There was a bond formed just through our taste and visually what we were drawn to,” Richards told IndieWire.
Following film school, the collaborators spent a great deal of time traveling the American West, in particular South Dakota, where they made their first two features, “Songs My Brothers Taught Me” and “The Rider.” Like “Nomadland,” both films feature first-time performers in stories set against expansive western landscapes.
In a far-ranging interview, Richards discusses how their collaboration and filmic language evolved over the three films.
The following interview excerpts have been lightly edited for clarity.
Moving with Fern
Richards: Soon as Chloé started talking about “Nomadland,” I thought, “This is a camera that needs to move with Fern (Frances McDormand). We gotta be in a fluid, mercurial motion through this movie.
- 4/12/2021
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
The American Society of Cinematographers nominees announced on March 10 include three of our five leading Oscar contenders for Best Cinematography including the frontrunner to win — Erik Messerschmidt for “Mank” — as well as Joshua James Richards for “Nomadland” and Dariusz Wolski for “News of the World. Also in contention are Phedon Papamichael for “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and Newton Thomas Sigel for “Cherry. We are predicting Sigel will reap an Oscar bid for “Da 5 Bloods” instead.
Papamichael is a favorite of the ASC; he was nominated here last year for “Ford v Ferrari” but was bumped out at the Oscars by “The Lighthouse” lenser Jarin Blaschke. We don’t expect him to contend at the Academy Awards this year either with Hoyte van Hoytema likely to land the fifth slot for “Tenet.”
Over its 34-year history, the ASC has predicted 136 of the 170 Oscar nominees, including four in both...
Papamichael is a favorite of the ASC; he was nominated here last year for “Ford v Ferrari” but was bumped out at the Oscars by “The Lighthouse” lenser Jarin Blaschke. We don’t expect him to contend at the Academy Awards this year either with Hoyte van Hoytema likely to land the fifth slot for “Tenet.”
Over its 34-year history, the ASC has predicted 136 of the 170 Oscar nominees, including four in both...
- 3/10/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
At six of the last eight Oscars, Best Cinematography has gone hand-in-hand with Best Director: Claudio Miranda and Ang Lee for “Life of Pi” (2013); Emmanuel Lubezki and Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity” (2014); Lubezki and Alejandro G. Inarritu for both “Birdman” (2015) and “The Revenant” (2016); Linus Sandgren and Damien Chazelle for “La La Land” (2017); and Cuaron doing double duty on “Roma” (2019). Will that trend hold true this year? (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2021 Oscars predictions for Best Cinematography.)
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception...
The academy usually regards award-winning cinematography as pretty pictures within an epic technical feat of filmmaking. While great lighting and framing are laudable on their own, having a movie that looks like it was difficult to shoot goes a long way to snagging an Oscar. Recent lensing winners “Avatar” (2009), “Inception” (2010), “Hugo” (2011), “Life of Pi” (2012), “Gravity” (2013), “Blade Runner 2049” (2018) and “1917” (2020) also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
While the lensers of “Inception...
- 3/4/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Jessica Henwick is no stranger to witnessing big budget productions thanks to her roles as Nymeria Sand on “Game of Thrones,” X-Wing pilot Jess Pava in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and Colleen Wing in a trio of Netflix-Marvel comic book series, but the making of “The Matrix 4” seems to be blowing the actress’ mind like never before. Henwick is currently in Berlin filming “The Matrix” sequel and told ComicBook that she’s seeing industry-changing crafts work happening on set.
“There are definitely moments on set where Yahya [Abdul-Mateen II] and I look at each other and we just go, ‘Matrix 4.’ Those pinch me moments,” Henwick said. “Yeah. Lana [Wachowski] is doing some really interesting things on a technical level in the same way that you know, she created a style back then. I think she’s going to change the industry again with this film. There’s some camera...
“There are definitely moments on set where Yahya [Abdul-Mateen II] and I look at each other and we just go, ‘Matrix 4.’ Those pinch me moments,” Henwick said. “Yeah. Lana [Wachowski] is doing some really interesting things on a technical level in the same way that you know, she created a style back then. I think she’s going to change the industry again with this film. There’s some camera...
- 10/13/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
While a large majority of The Matrix fans would put the first movie squarely at the top of the trilogy with no bother from its sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions do still have their cheerleaders. Cinematographer Bill Pope found himself dragging his pompoms after a gruelling back-to-back shoot on both, though, describing it as “mind numbing and soul numbing.”
Pope, who had previously worked with The Matrix directors The Wachowskis on 1996’s critically acclaimed Bound before climbing aboard the pair’s groundbreaking sci-fi action trilogy, revealed the exhaustive nature of the Reloaded and Revolutions shoot in a new interview with Roger Deakins on the Team Deakins podcast (via Indiewire).
“Everything that was good about the first experience was not good about the last two,” Pope said. “We weren’t free anymore. People were looking at you. There was a lot of pressure. In my heart, I didn’t like them.
Pope, who had previously worked with The Matrix directors The Wachowskis on 1996’s critically acclaimed Bound before climbing aboard the pair’s groundbreaking sci-fi action trilogy, revealed the exhaustive nature of the Reloaded and Revolutions shoot in a new interview with Roger Deakins on the Team Deakins podcast (via Indiewire).
“Everything that was good about the first experience was not good about the last two,” Pope said. “We weren’t free anymore. People were looking at you. There was a lot of pressure. In my heart, I didn’t like them.
- 7/14/2020
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
“The Matrix 4” is reuniting writer-director Lana Wachowski with stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss, but one creative from the original movies sitting the new film out is cinematographer Bill Pope. The Wachowski sisters first worked with Pope on “Bound” before teaming up with him for “The Matrix.” Their work together on the 1999 action film proved groundbreaking (see: the invention of bullet time), but the highs of collaborating on “The Matrix” were not matched while filming the two sequels, “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions.” During an interview with Roger Deakins on this week’s “Team Deakins” podcast, Pope said shooting “The Matrix” sequels were “mind numbing and soul numbing.”
“Everything that was good about the first experience was not good about the last two,” Pope said. “We weren’t free anymore. People were looking at you. There was a lot of pressure. In my heart, I didn’t like them.
“Everything that was good about the first experience was not good about the last two,” Pope said. “We weren’t free anymore. People were looking at you. There was a lot of pressure. In my heart, I didn’t like them.
- 7/13/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Cameron Crowe’s rock-and-roll odyssey “Almost Famous” about his golden days as a Rolling Stone journalist has only gotten better with time. The film turns 20 this September, and its wild shoot continues to yield fascinating stories from the crew and cast. That includes one of the movie’s breakout stars, Patrick Fugit, who plays Crowe’s surrogate character William and was only 16 at the time of filming.
In a recent Vulture interview with Fugit about the making of “Almost Famous,” one memory that stands out is his on-set dynamic with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays legendary music writer Lester Bangs. Lester becomes William’s mentor and editor, and that mentorship onscreen also carried over behind the scenes on the movie.
“Philip was only there for a few days. He was another well-known theater actor with a lot of training, and he was less accepting of me than Billy [Crudup] was,” Fugit said.
In a recent Vulture interview with Fugit about the making of “Almost Famous,” one memory that stands out is his on-set dynamic with Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays legendary music writer Lester Bangs. Lester becomes William’s mentor and editor, and that mentorship onscreen also carried over behind the scenes on the movie.
“Philip was only there for a few days. He was another well-known theater actor with a lot of training, and he was less accepting of me than Billy [Crudup] was,” Fugit said.
- 6/27/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Allen Daviau, five-time Academy Award nominated cinematographer who worked on films like Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,” “The Color Purple” and “Empire of the Sun,” died on Wednesday. He was 77.
His cousin, Christopher Rice, wrote on Facebook that Daviau died of Covid-19. “Goodbye, my sweet, brilliant cousin. You live on for us in the many frames of beautiful film you helped bring into the world. And your loss sadly makes this terrible pandemic feel all the more real,” he wrote.
Additionally, food editor and writer Colman Andrews sent his condolences on Twitter. “Rip Allen Daviau, my friend of almost 60 years, cinematographer and bon vivant, five-time Academy Award nominee, dining companion extraordinaire, pure soul, who left us last night at the Mptf Hospital, his longtime home, after contracting Covid-19. Salut, mon ami.”
Also Read: Remembering Stuart Gordon, a Re-Animator of the Horror Genre (Guest Blog)
A spokesperson for...
His cousin, Christopher Rice, wrote on Facebook that Daviau died of Covid-19. “Goodbye, my sweet, brilliant cousin. You live on for us in the many frames of beautiful film you helped bring into the world. And your loss sadly makes this terrible pandemic feel all the more real,” he wrote.
Additionally, food editor and writer Colman Andrews sent his condolences on Twitter. “Rip Allen Daviau, my friend of almost 60 years, cinematographer and bon vivant, five-time Academy Award nominee, dining companion extraordinaire, pure soul, who left us last night at the Mptf Hospital, his longtime home, after contracting Covid-19. Salut, mon ami.”
Also Read: Remembering Stuart Gordon, a Re-Animator of the Horror Genre (Guest Blog)
A spokesperson for...
- 4/16/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Filmmakers/authors discuss the movies they wish more people were familiar with.
Movies Referenced In This Episode
Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the ’70s (2012)
Live Like A Cop, Die Like A Man (1976)
Island of Lost Souls (1932)
Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau (2014)
Top Gun (1986)
Water Power (1977)
Taxi Driver (1976)
In Fabric (2018)
A Climax of Blue Power (1974)
Forced Entry (1975)
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
Nashville Girl (1976)
Ms .45 (1981)
Act of Vengeance a.k.a. Rape Squad (1974)
High Plains Drifter (1973)
Design For Living (1933)
Trouble In Paradise (1932)
Melody (1971)
Oliver! (1968)
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
That’ll Be The Day (1973)
Stardust (1974)
The Errand Boy (1961)
Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003)
The Bellboy (1960)
Which Way To The Front? (1970)
Hardly Working (1980)
A Night In Casablanca (1946)
The Cocoanuts (1929)
Duck Soup (1933)
Boeing Boeing (1965)
Confessions of a Young American Housewife (1974)
Cockfighter (1974)
The Second Civil War (1997)
I, A Woman (1965)
The Devil At Your Heels (1981)
The...
Movies Referenced In This Episode
Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the ’70s (2012)
Live Like A Cop, Die Like A Man (1976)
Island of Lost Souls (1932)
Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau (2014)
Top Gun (1986)
Water Power (1977)
Taxi Driver (1976)
In Fabric (2018)
A Climax of Blue Power (1974)
Forced Entry (1975)
Once Upon A Time In America (1984)
Nashville Girl (1976)
Ms .45 (1981)
Act of Vengeance a.k.a. Rape Squad (1974)
High Plains Drifter (1973)
Design For Living (1933)
Trouble In Paradise (1932)
Melody (1971)
Oliver! (1968)
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
That’ll Be The Day (1973)
Stardust (1974)
The Errand Boy (1961)
Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003)
The Bellboy (1960)
Which Way To The Front? (1970)
Hardly Working (1980)
A Night In Casablanca (1946)
The Cocoanuts (1929)
Duck Soup (1933)
Boeing Boeing (1965)
Confessions of a Young American Housewife (1974)
Cockfighter (1974)
The Second Civil War (1997)
I, A Woman (1965)
The Devil At Your Heels (1981)
The...
- 3/3/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
One of the seemingly surefire locks on Oscar night is in Best Cinematography. Roger Deakins is the runaway favorite to take home the statuette for “1917,” per our odds, and after waiting 23 years for his first Oscar, he could now join the two-time winners club in the second fastest timespan.
Deakins finally won a long-awaited Oscar two years ago for “Blade Runner 2049” (2017) on his 14th nomination — his first having been for 1994’s “The Shawshank Redemption.” He had no projects in 2018, making this his first bid since his win, so perhaps this could be the beginning of a win streak.
The legendary cinematographer would be the 15h person with two victories — fitting since this is his 15th nomination — a list that includes John Toll, Janusz Kaminski, Haskell Wexler, James Wong Howe and Burnett Guffey. Eight people have won three, including Conrad Hall, Robert Richardson (one of Deakins’ rivals this year...
Deakins finally won a long-awaited Oscar two years ago for “Blade Runner 2049” (2017) on his 14th nomination — his first having been for 1994’s “The Shawshank Redemption.” He had no projects in 2018, making this his first bid since his win, so perhaps this could be the beginning of a win streak.
The legendary cinematographer would be the 15h person with two victories — fitting since this is his 15th nomination — a list that includes John Toll, Janusz Kaminski, Haskell Wexler, James Wong Howe and Burnett Guffey. Eight people have won three, including Conrad Hall, Robert Richardson (one of Deakins’ rivals this year...
- 1/28/2020
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Warner Bros.’ official announcement about the next “Matrix” sequel (the film is untitled but will be the fourth feature in the franchise) included confirmation that series stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss would be returning to their iconic roles. A “Matrix” film would be nothing without the involvement of Neo and Trinity in some capacity. The same could be said for Agent Smith, the original trilogy’s villain, famously played by Hugo Weaving. Agent Smith is one of the most pivotal characters in “The Matrix” franchise, so it seemed reasonable for fans to expect the character to pop up in the upcoming fourth movie. Unfortunately, Weaving will not be involved in the project. The actor confirmed to Time Out London that he’s sitting “Matrix 4” out because of scheduling conflicts with his theater performance of “The Visit.”
“It’s unfortunate but actually I had this offer [for ‘The Visit’] and then...
“It’s unfortunate but actually I had this offer [for ‘The Visit’] and then...
- 1/21/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
“The Matrix” franchise will continue with a fourth film that’s currently in development, with Lana Wachowski set to write and direct, and Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectively.
The project has been kept mostly under wraps, as plot details are currently unknown. In addition to Reeves and Moss, actors already confirmed to be joining the cast include Jada Pinkett Smith (Niobe), as well as newcomers Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is rumored to be playing young Morpheus.
Lambert Wilson might soon be added to the list, according to a recent report by French outlet Allocine (via The Playlist), that says Wilson, who played The Merovingian in “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions,” is currently in negotiations to return to for the upcoming fourth film. Pproduction on the film may conflict with his schedule, so...
The project has been kept mostly under wraps, as plot details are currently unknown. In addition to Reeves and Moss, actors already confirmed to be joining the cast include Jada Pinkett Smith (Niobe), as well as newcomers Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is rumored to be playing young Morpheus.
Lambert Wilson might soon be added to the list, according to a recent report by French outlet Allocine (via The Playlist), that says Wilson, who played The Merovingian in “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions,” is currently in negotiations to return to for the upcoming fourth film. Pproduction on the film may conflict with his schedule, so...
- 1/18/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
The American Society of Cinematographers nominees announced on January 3 include four of our five leading Oscar contenders for Best Cinematography including the frontrunner to win — Roger Deakins for “1917” — as well as Rodrigo Prieto for “The Irishman,” Robert Richardson for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and Lawrence Sher for “Joker.” The fifth Asc nominee, instead of “The Lighthouse” cinematographer Jarin Blaschke, was Phedon Papamichael for the racing drama “Ford v Ferrari.”
But Blaschke wasn’t snubbed. He did receive a nomination in the Spotlight Award category, which honors films that screen at festivals, internationally, or in limited release. He’s joined there by just two other nominees: Natasha Braier (“Honey Boy”) and Jasper Wolf (“Monos”). Though it must be noted that “The Lighthouse” actually grossed more domestically than “Cold War,” the Polish film that won last year’s top prize and not a separate race for limited-release movies.
Over its 33-year history,...
But Blaschke wasn’t snubbed. He did receive a nomination in the Spotlight Award category, which honors films that screen at festivals, internationally, or in limited release. He’s joined there by just two other nominees: Natasha Braier (“Honey Boy”) and Jasper Wolf (“Monos”). Though it must be noted that “The Lighthouse” actually grossed more domestically than “Cold War,” the Polish film that won last year’s top prize and not a separate race for limited-release movies.
Over its 33-year history,...
- 1/3/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The joys — and complexity — of making movies often can be found in different aspects of creating a scene. For Focus Features’ “Harriet,” director of photography John Toll was challenged by a sequence in which 19th-century abolitionist Harriet Tubman, played by Cynthia Erivo, calls upon her faith for support as she crosses a deep river.
“As is often the case, you see a shot in a film and you just take it for granted,” says Toll, a two-time Oscar winner. To get the camera placement just right, a 10-foot crane was mounted in a boat that was stabilized in the middle of the lake that stood in for the scripted river, Toll says. The crane was fully extended, holding a remote-controlled camera at an improbable two inches above the water.
“We wanted to be eye level with Cynthia, and she was literally up to her neck in the water,” he explains.
“As is often the case, you see a shot in a film and you just take it for granted,” says Toll, a two-time Oscar winner. To get the camera placement just right, a 10-foot crane was mounted in a boat that was stabilized in the middle of the lake that stood in for the scripted river, Toll says. The crane was fully extended, holding a remote-controlled camera at an improbable two inches above the water.
“We wanted to be eye level with Cynthia, and she was literally up to her neck in the water,” he explains.
- 11/8/2019
- by Zoe Hewitt
- Variety Film + TV
Harriet Tubman is an essential part of American history. You don’t get put on currency (or at least was supposed to be placed on it) for no reason. So, a cinematic telling of her story has been a long time coming. However, a traditional biopic was not the way to go. Despite a committed lead performance from Cynthia Erivo and a talented filmmaker behind the camera in Kasi Lemmons, Harriet winds up feeling like a garden variety biopic, never able to distinguish itself. Formulaic and generic when it needed to vibrant, the flick struggles mightily to overcome cliches. Tubman deserved better, even if everyone’s hearts here are very much in the right place. The movie is a biopic of Harriet Tubman (Erivo). Before she was Harriet, she was Minty, a slave married to a free man in John (Zackary Momoh). In 1849, when and John are denied by plantation...
- 10/31/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
In news that should come as no surprise to fans of both “The Matrix” film franchise and the movies directed by the Wachowski siblings, the upcoming fourth “Matrix” installment is going to be “very ambitious.” Keanu Reeves told Entertainment Tonight that he has read Lana Wachowski’s script for “Matrix 4” and it’s an ambitious narrative. “As it should be,” said Reeves, who added he’s “excited” by what Wachowski has planned for his iconic Neo. Wachowksi’s script is being co-written by Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell.
Warner Bros. announced August 20 that a fourth “Matrix” movie was officially being developed at the studio with original co-director Lana Wachowski heavily involved as director and co-writer. Rumors of the studio rebooting “The Matrix” had been circulating for some time (Michael B. Jordan was even rumored to be a top choice for a leading role), but Lilly Wachowski downplayed her return while...
Warner Bros. announced August 20 that a fourth “Matrix” movie was officially being developed at the studio with original co-director Lana Wachowski heavily involved as director and co-writer. Rumors of the studio rebooting “The Matrix” had been circulating for some time (Michael B. Jordan was even rumored to be a top choice for a leading role), but Lilly Wachowski downplayed her return while...
- 9/25/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
One of the most famous Americans who has ever lived, despite being born in the humblest circumstances imaginable; whose life was full of heroic actions with life-or-death stakes undertaken despite razor-thin margins of error; who is a figure of enormous moral consequence and whose life spanned an era of great historical import, Harriet Tubman was also a black woman, and thus it is only now, 66 years after The Eddie Cantor Story (for instance), that she is the subject of a Hollywood biopic. This is an obvious observation, but one nevertheless worth making. The flip side of it, though, is that it was always likely that Harriet would fail to live up to its subject—that the conventions of the biopic genre would feel more reductive than usual when it’s Harriet Tubman’s life and times being compressed into a two-hour arc enacted by actors with very 21st-century teeth. And so it proves.
- 9/14/2019
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.