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Visions of Light: Art of Cinematography
Visions of Light: Art of Cinematography
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List Price: $29.98
Our Price: $12.98
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Product Details

  • Starring: Néstor Almendros, John Bailey, Stephen H. Burum, Michael Chapman, Allen Daviau
  • Binding: VHS Tape
  • Director: Todd McCarthy, Stuart Samuels
  • EAN: 9786303029184
  • Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
  • ISBN: 6303029183
  • Label: Kino International
  • Manufacturer: Kino International
  • Number of Items: 1
  • Product Group: Video
  • Publisher: Kino International
  • Release Date: 1994-04-12
  • Studio: Kino International
  • Theatrical Release Date: 1993-02-24
  • Title: Visions of Light: Art of Cinematography
  • UPC: 086162599330
Avg Customer Rating: 4 stars

Product Description: Visions of Light is not just for film buffs. In fact, if the presentation of the Oscar for Best Cinematography is your cue to take a bathroom break from the Academy Awards, then this exhilarating documentary will help you see movies in a whole new light. Named Best Documentary by the National Society of Film Critics as well as several film-critic associations, Visions of Light traces the history and illuminates the art of cinematography. It profiles the cameramen who pioneered the visual language of cinema (such as D.W. Griffith's cameraman Billy Bitzer and Gregg Toland, who shot Orson Welles's Citizen Kane), as well as the masters they influenced, among them Néstor Alemendros (Days of Heaven), Vilmos Zsigmond (McCabe and Mrs. Miller), and Gordon Willis, the affectionately nicknamed "Prince of Darkness" who shot the Godfather films.

From Birth of a Nation to Blade Runner, from Gone with the Wind to GoodFellas, this feast for the eyes spans nearly a century with sequences from more than 125 movies made immortal by the artful use of light and shadow to realize the director's vision. William Fraker, who shot Rosemary's Baby, recalls filming the scene in which Ruth Gordon's sinister character is seen in a bedroom talking on the phone at the far end of a corridor. Director Roman Polanski suggested that Fraker move his camera so her body would be concealed by a door and audiences could only see her back. Fraker remembers later watching this scene in theaters and seeing the audiences shift in their seats trying to peek around the door. --Donald Liebenson


Customer Reviews


5 stars Lovely Visions of Light
I had seen this film in two different Media classes in college, and fell in love with it. I'm so glad I was able to find it on Amazon, and the vendor I bought it from was prompt in getting it to me. The product was unopened, which made it that much better of a purchase--because I got to unwrap it, in order to watch it. Thanks very much.


4 stars I like!
Visions of Light provided me with a well-explained history of cinematography in Hollywood, starting with the old days (early 1900s) to film noir (Hollywood in the 40s) to the present time. However, I have to admit that I expected a more dynamic discussion about cinematography---a more "passionate" lesson on what makes good cinematography and its artistry. Also, it ends with films of the 60s or 70s...It doesn't go all the way to today's films.

Nonetheless, I like it for what it teaches, and I'm glad I bought it. Hope this helps!


-John


5 stars Visions of LIght?.......Yes!
This is a must have for serious students and lovers of cinematography. It covers the history and major developments of motion picture photography along with many main contributors to the art. Once you see it you'll tell all your friends about it and so on...it's that good.


5 stars Nice
I liked this dvd. It shows the history and techniques of cinematography.
feel free to visit http://myspace.com/chapmanphotography


5 stars Illusions of Reality
A remarkably informative and comprehensive review of the history of film and the talented people who have driven the development of cinematography, elevating it to an art form. Critical examples from film archives, enlightening interviews with directors, actors and other professionals, and thoughtful consideration of the importance of lighting. scriptwriting and other aspects of producing a successful finished product which can universally inspire and move people make this a necessary reference for any film buff. Rarely does a great movie emerge by luck, but is the result of countless hours of effort on the part of many people to achieve an illusion which can involve the viewer as much as any real experience of life and sometimes as unforgettably. A similar combination of efforts has produced this masterful documentary under the aegis of the American Film Institute.