A Hidden History of Film Style: Cinematographers, Directors, and the Collaborative Process

by Christopher John Beach

The image that appears on the movie screen is the direct and tangible result of the joint efforts of the director and the cinematographer. A Hidden History of Film Style is the first study to focus on the collaborations between directors and cinematographers, a partnership that has played a crucial role in American cinema since the early years of the silent era. Christopher Beach argues that an understanding of the complex director-cinematographer collaboration offers an important model that challenges the pervasive conventional concept of director as auteur. Drawing upon oral histories, early industry trade journals, and other primary materials, Beach examines key innovations like deep focus, color, and digital cinematography, and in doing so produces an exceptionally clear history of the craft. Through analysis of several key collaborations in American cinema from the silent era to the late twentieth century—such as those of D. W. Griffith and Billy Bitzer, William Wyler and Gregg Toland, and Alfred Hitchcock and Robert Burks—this pivotal book underlines the importance of cinematographers to both the development of cinematic technique and the expression of visual style in film.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

248 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2015

Reviews

[Sheldon Chau]

Great insight into masterful Cinematographer-Director collaborations since the beginning of cinema. Especially fascinated by Billy Bitzer's work with DW Griffith as well as Robert Burks's collaboration with Hitchcock and Gregg Toland's work with William Wyler. Eye-opening and very informative text about the development of cinematic techniques.

[Nicole]

My ex gave me this but I won’t let that cloud my judgment, good stuff