Belonging to The
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||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| BELONGING TO THE BSC Leading cinematographers reveal what being a member of the BSC means to them, and how they’d ROGER DEAKINS CBE BSC ASC like to see their art and craft unfold in the future. Fargo, O Brother Where Art Thou, Jarhead, Skyfall, Blade Runner 2049 Joined: 1999… I can’t recall how I managed to become a board member, nor eventually the BSC president (2014-17). Doesn’t seem |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| possible, but it was. Joined: 1986… I was blown away when I was asked to join by Alex Thomson BSC, just after I shot 1984. Your BSC inspirations? This one is easy… Chris Menges BSC ASC. I Your BSC inspirations? was always inspired by his documentaries and, Oswald Morris OBE BSC and Chris Menges BSC ASC of course, he shot the film Kes, which literally were the two most inspiring BSC members as I began change my life. He also, in his own quiet way, my life as a cinematographer. Ossie’s body of work led me on to my career as a cinematographer is unsurpassed. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and introduced me to Ken Loach. remains the greatest B/W photography out there. Chris, a gentleman and a true inspiration, brings quiet Your thoughts about cinematography today? dignity to his images and hence to the subjects that he I’m certain that it’s the art of cinematography has trained his camera on. The subject comes first, not that makes cinema so special. I see new talent the cinematography. coming along all the time. Technique and artistry advance endlessly. I believe cinematography can Your thoughts about cinematography today? never die. Cinema is in people’s hearts. I believe in storytelling, and telling stories that are BARRY ACKROYD BSC relevant to our daily lives. I would hope audiences How about cinematography in the future? become interested again in being challenged when they Could the art of cinematography be lost in the see a film, rather than being spoon-fed entertainment. virtual world of algorithms? My nightmare is that The Wind That Shakes The Barley, movies are being made without lighting, lenses, The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, How about cinematography in the future? cameras or cinematographers. The Big Short, Bombshell I have no fears for the future of cinematography, only for the future. Joined: 1996… a great honour. My main aim as BSC president (2010-14) was to make our society more inclusive. With the help of the governors we created the BSC Club, allowing aspiring cinematographers to meet us in Q&As and discuss what we do and how. The BSC Expo has gone from strength-to-strength. I feel anybody with talent and passion can access the BSC, and feel truly included in our industry. Your thoughts about cinematography today? Due to digital, cinematography has become less technical and maybe less respected by the average producer. High-end producers understand, but there are fewer and fewer of them. JOHN DE BORMAN BSC We must never lose sight of what we do best, and must stick to our guns to keep preserving and evolving our vision from our perspective. Whilst having lots of fun, of course. The Full Monty, Serendipity, How about cinematography in the future? An Education, Quartet, It’s up to us. The potential is amazing, as long as we Made In Dagenham uphold standards and don’t allow CGI to take over. 1987 f 1987 >> Chris Menges First presentation of the BSC ASC wins John Alcott Memorial Oscar and BAFTA Award to Les Ostinelli Awards for The in honour of legendary Mission (1986). member John Alcott BSC, who died tragically at a g 1986 young age. Sponsored David Watkin The first BSC by ARRI, it is given to BSC wins Oscar, Summer Lunch the person who has BAFTA and BSC is held at Les Ostinelli BSC (centre) contributed most towards with Freddie Young OBE BSC, Awards for Out Shepperton Chic Anstiss Assoc BSC, perpetuating the original Of Africa (1985). Studios. Peter Newbrook BSC and aims of the society. Ossie Morris OBE BSC 22 | British Cinematographer | 70 Years Of The BSC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| HARIS ZAMBARLOUKOS BSC GSC Enduring Love, Sleuth, Thor, Locke, Artemis Fowl Joined: 2007 What is so special about BSC members? BSC cinematographers have always had an incredible Your BSC inspirations? insight into the human condition. Maybe it is the British The BSC has a mesmerising filmography, and my literary tradition that seems to infuse a great sense of GEORGE RICHMOND BSC favourite DPs managed to capture the essence of a narrative into the filmmaking art? story that has always inspired me. Great Expectations and Oliver Twist shot by Guy Green OBE BSC, Babylon What does membership mean to you? and The Killing Fields by Chris Menges BSC ASC, Although the society has grown from humble beginnings, Kingsman: The Secret Service & The The Third Man by Robert Krasker BSC, Shawshank there remains an intimacy and family atmosphere that I love ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Golden Circle, Rocketman, Free Guy Redemption by Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC, very much. That essence of hospitality and inclusion seems Atonement by Seamus McGarvey BSC ASC, Captain to be the guiding force, and is what makes me so proud Philips by Barry Ackroyd BSC, Lawrence Of Arabia by to be a member. When I was invited to join I felt it was an Freddie Young OBE BSC, A Matter Of Life And Death by invitation of friendship. In all great friendships differences of Joined: 2015… it’s wonderful to have your Jack Cardiff OBE BSC, Walter Lassaly BSC’s Zorba The opinion and diversity make the bonds stronger. We should work recognised and accepted by the society Greek, Clockwork Orange by Geoff Unsworth OBE BSC be eternally grateful to the founders of the BSC for their and, in turn, I think our employers understand and… everything Peter Biziou BSC ever shot. gift of fraternity, and that spirit endures. how important this is. Your BSC inspirations? I was lucky to work and train under Alex Thomson BSC and Vernon Layton BSC, both Joined: 2009 generous and patient. Chris Menges BSC ASC, Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC, Peter Biziou Your BSC inspirations? BSC and John Alcott BSC – all pioneers, all I was 16, with a Canon A1 strung around my neck, consistently showing how high the bar really is! when Michael Seresin BSC opened the gate to my future. Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC demonstrates Your thoughts about cinematography today? that versatility, excellence and humility are The integration of VFX into the world of attributes to cultivate. Freddie Young OBE BSC ASC cinematography is one of the most challenging for Lawrence. Chris Menges BSC ASC for Kes. Jack issues. Sets are becoming cheaper to create Cardiff OBE BSC for confirming that a painter’s eye digitally rather than build, sometimes with no is a valuable asset. Remi Adefarasin OBE BSC for continuity in design. The fact that our work is illustrating the necessity for more cultural diversity. sometimes no longer under our control, means our creative choices can be changed afterwards. Your thoughts about cinematography today? These are all issues we have to overcome as I hope we continue to push boundaries and take we go forward. However, it’s really exciting risks in the pursuit of more original, compelling to be shooting in a time when the advances and resonant images. Digital pathways enable made in digital cinematography allow for such a multiplicity of routes to diverge as instant a wide ranging palette, even allowing the use possibilities from a single source. I hope we remain of old lenses that have been covered in dust true to our roots and use our brushes to make for years. The DI grade can also be a challenge. bold and innovative strokes, from the heart. It The software is so powerful that all parts of is essential to preserve the theatrical viewing |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| the image can be manipulated. Whilst this is an experience. In a culture that increasingly prioritises amazing tool, which I keep in mind every step individualism, the ritual and experience of of the process, there can be many voices in a collective viewing touches a primal and essential grading suite, which is not always beneficial. aspect of the human experience. How about cinematography in the future? How about cinematography in the future? JESS HALL BSC ASC I want to see a continuation in the art we see I hope DPs will lead the technological and conceptual today; some of the images we have seen so development of the medium in directions that far are just breathtaking. We need to learn enhance its creative capabilities. That equilibrium how to retain as much control of the images can be found between new technology and the Ghost In The Shell, Transcendence, as possible by making the right decisions wisdom and techniques of the past. That we embrace The Spectacular Now when we prep and shoot, and this can only be narratives outside of our own frame of reference. achieved by an open mind and collaboration. g 1989 1990 1991 f 1992 Peter Biziou BSC wins Oscar, Freddie Francis BSC wins The BSC returns The BSC votes-in its BAFTA and BSC Awards for Oscar and BSC Awards for to Pinewood, first female member, Mississippi Burning (1988). Glory (1989). Under the its spiritual Sue Gibson BSC, Jack Hildyard BSC auspices of Denis Carrigan, home, under the publishes its first honoured with manager of Shepperton auspices of Steve members’ directory BSC Lifetime Studios, the BSC acquires an Jaggs, managing and becomes a Achievement elegant clubroom in the Old director of the founder member Award.