American Cinematographer - June 2008 - (Page 116)

In Memoriam Gayne Rescher, ASC, 1924-2008 Upon returning to the United States, Rescher enrolled in the American Theater School in New York. Despite this initial yen to become an actor and writer, he ultimately settled in behind the camera. His early years as a cinematographer found him working on such features as Elia Kazan’s A Face in the Crowd (1957), André De Toth’s Man on a String (1960) and Paul Newman’s Rachel, Rachel (1968). By the 1970s, though, Rescher had begun to establish himself in the television arena, where he notched more than 50 credits on telefilms, series and miniseries over the next two decades. Rescher became an active member of the ASC in 1956, and the Society honored his work with two ASC Awards (for Single Women Married Men in 1990 and Lucky/Chances in 1991) and two more nominations (for Promise in 1988 and Shooter in 1989). Rescher also became a mainstay at the Emmys, garnering three wins and five nominations during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 2003, during a brief respite from Barca’s helm, Rescher penned a “Tricks of the Trade” piece for AC’s March issue. In it, he reminisced about the early influence of Painting With Light, a book by John Alton, ASC. “At the time, I was a young, ambitious camera assistant with much to learn,” Rescher wrote. “There [Alton] was on the back cover, relaxing in a director’s chair, holding his meter in one hand and a pipe in the other. I rushed out immediately to buy both — a meter and a pipe.” The image of Rescher that is likely to endure in the minds of those he has inspired will probably have him at Barca’s wheel, meter in hand and pipe tucked casually into his grin. — Jon D. Witmer I n 1998, after returning from a threeyear cruise aboard his 55' cutter, Barca, Gayne Rescher, ASC channeled Mark Twain to write a letter to the Society requesting retirement status. “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” he began with his usual humor. He went on to make the most of that retirement with his wife, Gail Ferguson, his three daughters (from an earlier marriage) and two grandchildren before passing away in February 2008 at the age of 83. Known for his wit, professionalism and unerring knack for lighting women, Rescher was born in New York City to cinematographer Jay Rescher and silent-film star Jean Tolley. He studied aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but after only one semester, Uncle Sam came calling, and Rescher joined the Army Air Corps, serving as a fighter pilot during World War II. For his time in the service — which included 56 missions over Germany, during which he was once shot down but managed to make it back to his airfield in France — he was awarded a Presidential Citation, an Air Medal and the Purple Heart. I 116 http://www.theasc.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - June 2008

American Cinematographer - June 2008 Contents Editor's Note Short Takes: "100 Days, " Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Production Slate: Mongol Production Slate: Greensburg Vintage Indy A Prince in Peril Women's World 90 Years of Precision Post Focus: A 3-D Imax Work Flow for Wild Ocean Post Focus: 3cP Incorporates ASC CDL on State of Play Filmmakers' Forum: John Baily, ASC New Products & Services International Marketplace Classified Ads Ad Index ASC Membership Roster In Memoriam: Gayne Rescher, ASC Clubhouse News ASC Close-Up: Rob McLachlan

American Cinematographer - June 2008

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