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Do Not Fear This!
First-Time Directors
Working with Experienced DPs
Thomas Ackerman, ASC
Shares Important Insights
1. Can you share your insights for first-time filmmakers making their first films?
2. For students and new filmmakers who want to hire a professional director of photography for their first film, what would you say are three important do’s?
3 What are some don’t’s?
4. Can you talk about the new director and experienced DP collaboration as it relates to blocking scenes?
5. Can you share with us your insights about filming on a set or on a sound stage?
6. If you could share one final tip or piece of advice for student filmmakers around the world, what would it be?
***A BIG, SPECIAL THANK YOU TO TOM!***
About Thomas Ackerman, ASC
“Fifty years of motion picture creation are the foundation of my approach to teaching, which recognizes that two qualities are essential to cinematographers. The first, probably obvious, is an ability to create strong imagery. Next is being able to handle the job itself. You’ve got to have a split personality, that of an artist/athlete. You bring not only vision, but also leadership.”
“I owe a lot to a diverse filmography—military filmmaking, documentaries for Charles Guggenheim, partnering in a successful Hollywood production company, shooting music videos with major artists at the dawn of MTV, hundreds of commercials as cameraman/director, and 38 motion pictures as Director of Photography.”
“With a number of Iconic films, I have helped create nearly $3 billion in worldwide gross. I’m proud of that and although, obviously, it is not something we discuss very often in class, I want my students to understand that by working hard and growing as an artist, a life in the picture trade can provide a good living.”
Credentials
50 years in motion picture creation, 47 as a Director and Director of Photography, including:
* Cinematographer and film editor at The University of Iowa Motion Picture Unit
* Motion Picture Production Officer, US Air Force
* Cinematographer and film editor at Guggenheim Productions, Washington, DC
* Director and cameraman for Robe/Ackerman, Inc., Hollywood, CA
* Teaching at UNCSA’s School of Filmmaking since 2009
Career Highlights
* Shot for multi-Oscar-winning documentarian Charles Guggenheim (1970-1973)
* “Beetlejuice”(1988) – Director of Photography
* “Christmas Vacation” (1989) – Director of Photography
* “Jumanji” (1996) – Director of Photography
* “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004) – Director of Photography
Awards, Recognitions and Honors
* CINE Golden Eagle for “The Oceans: Source of Life” (1978) United States Information Agency, Writer/Director/Cinematographer
* First Prize, Documentary, ECOFEST, for “The Oceans: Source of Life” (1977)
* CINE Golden Eagle for “The Computer: A Universal Tool” (1979) United States Information Agency, Writer/Director
* Award of Excellence, Chevrolet Truck Spot (1990), The Detroit Creative Director’s Council
Organizations
* American Society of Cinematographers
* Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
* International Photographers Guild Local 600
* Directors Guild of America
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Perfect for filmmakers, videographers, and photographers, as well as visual storytellers, artists, and content creators of all skill levels. Whether your focus is directing, cinematography, or editing. Producing, screenwriting, or sound. If you’re a student, professional, or school, StudentFilmmakers Magazine is an excellent source of education and information, guidance and support for you. Learn from how-to articles and interviews. Get must-have tips and best practices. Explore techniques covering the five stages of motion picture creation: development, pre-production, production, post production, and distribution.
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Video interview conducted by Jody Michelle Solis, Editor-in-Chief of StudentFilmmaker Magazine.