2020 / 12 — December Issue of American Cinematographer

The December 2020 issue of American Cinematographer features a photo from the National Geographic nature series Hostile Planet and showcases a special focus on nonfiction production, as directors of photography and others who shoot real-world footage discuss their tactics and philosophies.

This coverage includes:

• ASC members Joan Churchill, Shana Hagan, Guillermo Navarro and Buddy Squires describe their respective approaches to documentary storytelling.
• Filmmakers describe the intense scrutiny and political pressure of making the feature doc The Dissident.
• The team behind the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch detail shooting under extreme Arctic conditions.
• Kirsten Johnson’s ode to her father, Dick Johnson Is Dead, which puts a metaphysical spin on the documentary form.

This issue also includes a Picture Partners director/cinematographer interview with collaborators Unjoo Moon and Dion Beebe, ASC, ACS regarding their biopic I Am Woman; a special Shot Craft piece on improving your Zoom experience; an In Memoriam tribute to Peter Sova, ASC; profiles on new ASC members; and highlights from the past decade of the magazine’s cinematography coverage.