
Visions of Light
The Art of Cinematography
Ratings
Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography and of the "DP" (the director of photography), illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from Birth of a Nation to Do the Right Thing. Themes: the DP tells people where to look; changes in movies (the arrival of sound, color, and wide screens) required creative responses from DPs; and, these artisans constantly invent new equipment and try new things, with wonderful results. The narration takes us through the identifiable studio styles of the 30s, the emergence of noir, the New York look, and the impact of Europeans. Citizen Kane, The Conformist, and Gordon Willis get special attention.
Production
AFI, NHK
Language
EN
Status
Released
Release Date
Cast

Ernest R. Dickerson
Self

Michael Chapman
Self

Allen Daviau
Self

Caleb Deschanel
Self

Lisa Rinzler
Self

Conrad Hall
Self

William A. Fraker
Self

John Bailey
Self

Néstor Almendros
Self
Charles Rosher Jr.
Self

Vilmos Zsigmond
Self

Stephen H. Burum
Self
Harry L. Wolf
Self

Charles Lang
Self

Sven Nykvist
Self

Robert Wise
Self

László Kovács
Self

James Wong Howe
Self (archive footage)

Haskell Wexler
Self

Vittorio Storaro
Self
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