Movie: Visions of Light

Top 10 Billed Cast

Ernest R. Dickerson
Ernest R. Dickerson

Self

Michael Chapman
Michael Chapman

Self

Allen Daviau
Allen Daviau

Self

Caleb Deschanel
Caleb Deschanel

Self

Lisa Rinzler
Lisa Rinzler

Self

Conrad Hall
Conrad Hall

Self

William A. Fraker
William A. Fraker

Self

John Bailey
John Bailey

Self

Néstor Almendros
Néstor Almendros

Self

Charles Rosher Jr.
Charles Rosher Jr.

Self

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  • Overview

    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.

  • Release Date

    1992-09-17

  • Average

    7.05

  • Rating:

    3.5 starts
  • Tagline

    The Art of Cinematography

  • Genres

  • Languages:

    English
  • Keywords

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