Visions of Light [1992] [DVD] [UK Import]

In the century that cinema has existed, audiences have become increasingly familiar with the names and faces of the men and women who make our movies; from D W Griffith to Steven Spielberg, directors' names have been widely known to their audiences, and the cult of the movie star is almost as old as cinema itself. Often overlooked, however, and seldom less a contributor to the final cut than a director, editor, writer or star, is the cinematographer - the DP, the lighting cameraman - the man, or woman, who creates the image to be recorded in that artificial eye, the camera.Visions of Light goes some considerable way towards redressing that oversight. A study in cinematography, this 90-minute programme features interviews with no less than 29 lighting cameramen and directors who acknowledge and illustrate their influences, their mentors, and inspiration with over 100 film clips, and who share with us some of their tactics and secrets.