Tooth & Nail

The first full film that I worked on as a unit photographer, and also my first film in the Philadelphia area, was a small horror film called Tooth & Nail. It was shot in an incredibly creepy abandoned children's psychiatric hospital, complete with padded rooms and everything. Like all small films, it had it's challenges and disasters (anyone remember the third floor spontaneously flooding?). But it was also the film that introduced me to many stellar colleagues in this industry's local crew, and gave me some great adventures (how many other people have gotten to close down the Ben Franklin Bridge to film a movie!?).

Another Harvest Moon

I'm updating my website! One of the films I worked on last year, Another Harvest Moon, has posted a great selection of my work on their website. Unfortunately - they posted a lot of other people's photographs too - so I can't just point people to their website to look at my work. That said - I am really happy with the variety of images that it gives me to add to my own website.

This film starred not only Ernest Borgnine, but also Cybill Shepherd, Piper Laurie, Anne Meara, Doris Roberts, and Richard Schiff.

Ernest Borgnine: film #199!

One of the great privileges of my life was the opportunity to work with the Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine. Not only was he one of the friendliest and most supportive actors I've come across, he is at the age of 91 more alive and young-feeling than I am. Check out his interview on ABC (see link above for video).

We worked together last summer on a film called Another Harvest Moon, and it was the 199th film in his career. To put that in perspective - Anthony Hopkins has made half as many films in his career. Ernest loves to still go from film to film - not taking much time off in his 60 year career. Earlier last year he did a western where his stunt-double had to fall off a horse!

Here is one of my images of Anne Meara and Ernest Borgnine from Another Harvest Moon (as feature on their website).

Well he has written an autobiography - and you should check it out. Ernie: The Autobiography - his life is a fascinating one.

Working in TV

I have just come back from working on my first tv pilot, and I have to say - tv has its own set of challenges that feature films just don't encounter the same way.

My job on any film as the set still photographer (or unit photographer) is to take still photos of the production for their marketing/publicity campaigns. Though there are a million possible uses for my images, if you first just think about pictures for the dvd covers, the posters, the web site and magazine articles you will get an idea of the kind of work that I produce.

It is crucial that I do not impede the production process. I don't get in anyone's way, I don't distract the actors (in fact invisible ninja-type skills are often required) and I don't make any noise. Typically you will find me hiding somewhere beside the camera crew or in an off-to-the-side spot with the boom operator (a sound guy).

One of the main challenges of this tv pilot was that there was always two cameras filming at all times - so there was twice the number of people to keep out of the way of. AND at least one of the cameras was a steady-cam, and often the second camera was hand-held. Both of these cameras will be moving throughout the shot, so rather than hiding beside them, I had to follow them as they walked. In film production it's never just a guy with a camera walking either - it's the camera operator, the 1st assistant camera, and a cable wrangler... and me. It is not the easiest thing in the world to walk with a camera over your face around and behind a camera crew with cables trailing behind them through a film set, but I have to say - I LOVED it. I am all for working in tv more. Though a lot of the credit for those feelings really goes to the incredibly professional and wonderfully helpful/understanding crew that I got the pleasure of working with. I continue to fall in-love with this job and this industry the more I work with its seasoned crew members. And I want to thank all of them for their kindness as I ventured into the world of tv for the first time.