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Member LoginJohn Seale ACS ASC visits AFTRS
Sydney - May 23
On 23 May the Cinematography students and Directing MAs were privileged to spend the morning with the man AFTRS' Head of Cinematography describes as 'the greatest camera operator in existence'.
John Seale, one of the world's leading DOPs, has received numerous awards during his career, including a BAFTA and Academy Award for his work on The English Patient.
Jan has worked closely with John over the years, starting as a clapper loader and eventually shooting second unit for him. She invited him to talk to her students about the role of the camera operator, one she feels can be undervalued on a film crew.
John's enthusiasm and patience proved that his recent honorary degree, awarded at AFTRS graduation in April for 'continuous mentoring of less experienced cinematographers', was well deserved.
He spent four hours with the students showing clips of his work and talking about his professional experience, answering technical questions and telling anecdotes about working all over the world.
Examples of work shown included: Lorenzo's Oil; City of Angels; and Survivor. John talked about the framing and lighting process and methods used by different directors he has worked with including George Miller [Lorenzo's Oil], Chris Columbus [Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone] and Barry Levinson [Rain Man].
John responded to criticisms that he no longer works on Australian films by pointing out that he would rather leave the jobs for the young Australian cinematographers who have the vision, the belief that nothing is impossible and the need for the experience.