American Cinematographer - February 2014 - 10

Wise cinematographers do some homework before shooting historical movies. During prep on The Monuments Men,
ASC member Phedon Papamichael, director George
Clooney and producer Grant Heslov screened various World
War II documentaries and features to get a feel for their
project's milieu. Monuments is based on the true story of
the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Program, a group
of architects, artists and art historians the U.S. government
assembled and dispatched to save artworks from Nazi
destruction. In Mark Dillon's coverage ("Allies of Art," page
34), Heslov notes, "We wanted our film to feel vital and
new and fresh, not like a museum piece. We also wanted a
very rich look; we wanted it to feel almost painterly because
it's a film about art." He adds that Papamichael has all the qualities he and Clooney sought
in a cinematographer: "He's a great shooter, he's fun and easy to be around, and he's fast."
This issue also profiles three other cinematographers who exemplify excellence in
their profession: the recipients of this year's career-achievement honors at the ASC Awards,
which will be held Feb. 1.
Dean Cundey, ASC cleared a spot on his mantel for the Lifetime Achievement
Award, which salutes a versatile résumé that includes a variety of genres: drama (Apollo 13),
sci-fi (Jurassic Park, Escape from New York), horror (Halloween, The Thing), romance
(Romancing the Stone) and comedy (Who Framed Roger Rabbit and the Back to the Future
trilogy). In Jean Oppenheimer's profile of Cundey ("Calm, Cool, Creative," page 44), his
praises are sung by several collaborators, including directors Steven Spielberg and John
Carpenter, actor Kurt Russell and production designer Rick Carter. Reflecting on his ASC
honor, Cundey offers, "There are certain awards we covet, but they are typically for one
project, whereas the Lifetime Achievement Award represents recognition for a lot of different things, the culmination of a variety of projects and achievements. It's the best thing one
could ever receive."
Eduardo Serra, ASC, AFC, honored with the Society's International Award, has also
proven his versatility by shooting an impressive range of films all over the world. The list
includes The Wings of the Dove, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Hairdresser's Husband, Blood
Diamond and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2. In a profile by MarkHope Jones ("Serving the Story, with Style," page 54), Darius Khondji, ASC, AFC testifies to
Serra's talent: "Eduardo has been able to go beyond and reach another level, which is why I
think he truly deserves all of the praise heaped upon him."
Richard Rawlings Jr., ASC earned the Society's Career Achievement in Television
Award after following in his father's footsteps. He became a cinematographer in the late
1970s on the series Charlie's Angels and worked on a string of successful shows that included
Matt Houston, Stingray, L.A. Law, Boston Public, Gilmore Girls, Paradise and Desperate
Housewives. Jon Silberg's overview of his work ("Distinguished Service," page 64) offers both
anecdotes and insights.
This issue also includes a recap of the first ASC Master Class, conducted in Los
Angeles last fall ("Learning from the Masters," page 74), and articles on the artful documentaries Tim's Vermeer and Visitors (Production Slate, page 24).

Stephen Pizzello
Executive Editor

Photo by Owen Roizman, ASC.

Editor's Note

American Cinematographer - February 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - February 2014