Visions of Light (1992)
"The Art of Cinematography"

Title: Visions of Light
Original Title: Visions of Light
Release Date: 1992-09-17
Status: Released
Rating: 7/10 (from 47 votes)
Language: EN
Genres: Documentary, History
Production Companies: AFI, NHK
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.
Cast

Ernest R. Dickerson
Self

Michael Chapman
Self

Allen Daviau
Self

Caleb Deschanel
Self

Lisa Rinzler
Self

Conrad L. Hall
Self

William A. Fraker
Self

John Bailey
Self

Néstor Almendros
Self

Charles Rosher Jr.
Self