By
Andrew Laszlo, Cinematographer, A.S.C.
Andrew Quicke, Chair, School of Film, Television, and Theater Arts, Regent University
Description
This book examines the art and craft of motion picture photography through a veteran professional cinematographer's personal experiences
on five major motion pictures, each selected to illustrate a particular series of challenges for the photographer.
"Every Frame a
Rembrandt" is an expression heard on sound stages and locations the world over. While in most cases the expression is used lightly and
not infrequently with a certain amount of sarcasm, its true meaning speaks highly of most cinematographers' commitment to producing the
best, most interesting, unusual and memorable images for the screen. Through the five films he selected for this book Laszlo is able
to show the broad range of complexity in motion picture photography, from the relatively simple "point and shoot" in the typcal western
to complex in-camera effects. In recounting his "war stories" Laszlo is able to show the day to day activities of a cinematographer
before, during and after filming the project, discussing equipment, film stocks, testing, labs, unions, agents, budget requirements,
and working with the director and producer. The five films discussed are Southern Comfort, The Warriors, Rambo: First Blood, Streets
of Fire, and Innerspace. The book is illustrated throughout with production stills from Laszlo's extensive collection (12 in a color
insert).
Audience:
Filmmakers (directors, cinematographers, camera crew), cinematography courses
