Research 1a

Research 1a

Godfather

Untouchables – Stephen H. Burum

Public Enemies – Dante Spinotti

Lawless – Benoit Delhomme

 Donnie Brassco – Peter Sova    

Gordon Willis – Godfather 1931 - 2014

Gordon Willis was born on the 8^th of May 1931 in queens New York, He was a cinematographer known for the Godfather trilogy during 1972 – 74 -90. He was known as the Prince of Darkness within the Industry due to his lighting technique of using shadows and often not allowing a characters eye to be seen clearly.  During 1971 to 1977 he accumulated 39 Oscar nominations with 19 wins, among these wins were best picture winners (the Godfather 1- 2) and (Annie Hall). He also served in the US motion Picture Unit during the Korean War and is father worked as a makeup artist for warner Brothers. Willis went on to work with the most acclaimed directors during a time that is now known as the golden age of American film making he shot three films with Alan J Pakula during 1971 to 1976. The most famous film he worked on was the Godfather trilogy, this movie is the inspiration for my chosen style because it represents organised criminals during the 1930s mainly the rivalry between mafia families. I appreciate the way in which he portrays his characters for example he makes his characters look lifeless by creating a shadow effect on the viewer’s eyes. 

Benoit Delhomme – Lawless

Benoit Delhomme was born in 1961 in France. He is known for his work on Lawless (2012), (1408) 2007 and the (the boy in the striped pyjamas) 2008. He experimented with black and white still life shots within his homemade studio. Between 1980 and 1982 he studied cinematography at the Louise Lumiere School in Paris. In 1985 he worked as a camera assistant to the legendary cinematographer Bruno Nuytten, during the next few years he worked on 40 short films. In 1992 he shot his first feature film with first time director Tran Ahn Hung which won the camera d’Or award at its world premiere at the Cannes world film festival. I am focused on the movie Lawless because it relates to my theme of historic Gangsters and organised criminals, this movie contains the style that I am looking for which is the slick back hair, Tommy guns and classic cars. 

Stephen H Burum was born on the November 25, 1939 in Visalia, California USA. He is known for his work on Mission Impossible (1996), (The Untouchable) 1987 (and calrlito’s was 1993).  He graduated from the UCLA school of Theatre, fil and televisions in the 1960s and became an instructor at the same school. He began his career at Walt Disney anthology series but was drafted into the army pictorial centre. For whom he shot army training videos, returning to California after his service was complete he worked on TV commercial, shows and low budget films. His first major motion picture was (The escape artist) in 1982. Burum was nominated for the American society of cinematographer’s award for outstanding achievement in Cinematography in theatrical releases in 1988. The Untouchables is a movie similar to Public Enemies both Law Enforcement and criminals are dressed in the same style this allows the viewer to choose which characters they prefer based on principles.   

Dante Spinotti

Dante Spinotti was born in Udine. Within the northeast region of Firulli. He began his career at Rai Italian TV; before he spent a lot of time in Kenya as a cinematographer for his uncle. In 1985 Dino De Laurentiis offered him a job in the US with Michael Mann for the Feature Man Hunter (1986). From that experience Spinotti became one of the most appreciated cinematographers in Hollywood amongst his best work is (the last of the Mohicans) 1982, Heat 1995 and LA confidential 1997. Mr Spinotti has created images for two movies that are beneficial to me they are heat and Public Enemies but Heat has all the crime and violence without the appealing flair that Prohibition Gangsters have but Public Enemies is based on my theme it contains modern actors portrayed as historic characters. The film Public Enemies allows the viewers to choose between criminals or law enforcement both characters are represented in the same hair and clothing styles the only thing setting them apart are their morals. 

Robert Richardson – Casino

Robert Richardson was born on august 5^th 1955 in Hyannis Massachusetts, USA. He is known for his work on Inglorious Bastards 2009, Django Unchained 2012 and Kill BILL 2003. He worked as a camera operator and 2^nd unit photographer on movies such as Repo Men and Nightmare on Elm Street all within 1984. He also worked as a cinematographer on TV shows such as America America and Disney channel. Richardson gained his first Oscar for his work on Platoon.  Robert Richardson was the cinematographer for the film casino; casino is a great movie it represents the mafia within Las Vegas it shows the story of how Las Vegas became rich and famous it was the crime families who made it.   

Micheal Ballhaus

Michael Ballhaus was born on August 5, 1935 in Berlin Germany. He is a cinematographer known for the Departed 2006, Goodfellas 1990 and Gangs Of New York 2002. Ballhaus was the son of actors and was influenced by a family friend to explore film as a career path. He became recognised with his work on sixteen films for Rainer Werner Fassbinder during the 1970s. He has been nominated three times for the Academy award for best cinematography for Broadcast news, Gangs of New York and The Fabulous Baker Boys.  The film which inspired me to research Mr Ballhaus is Goodfellas it contains an Italian crime ring involved in murderers and bank heists Mr Richardson has portrayed his characters as lifeless and emotionless.

 Dion Beebe – Gangster Squad

Dion Beebe was born in 1968 in Brisbane, queens Australia; he studied cinematography at the Australian film television and radio school from 1987 and 1989. He is known for his work on Collateral 2004, Edge of tomorrow 2014 and Gangster squad 2013. I chose to research him because of his work on Gangster squad; Gangster squad is a perfect example of the style which I am trying to create. The 1940s Los Angeles includes criminals and policemen that have to go undercover as criminals to take them down.