January 2024 Issue of American Cinematographer

The January 2024 issue presents coverage of Napoleon, Ferrari and Poor Things, with a special focus on the director-cinematographer collaboration — as well as reportage on The Killer and Priscilla. Also featured is a look at the importance of creative blocking.

• President’s Desk: ASC President Shelly Johnson reflects on the artistry and impact of the late John Bailey, ASC, who died at 81 in November 2023.

• Dariusz Wolski, ASC breaks down his battle plan for Napoleon, and director Ridley Scott discusses his ongoing collaboration with the cinematographer.

• Erik Messerschmidt, ASC details his approach to David Fincher’s The Killer and Michael Mann’s Ferrari. Mann discusses some of the creative considerations that came into play on his car-racing drama, and Davis DiLillo of Lightcraft explains how drone-mounted cameras helped capture some action on the track.

• Philippe Le Sourd, ASC, AFC shares his perspective on shooting Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, his fourth collaboration with the director.

• Robbie Ryan, BSC, ISC and director Yorgos Lanthimos discuss bringing their intuitive approach to the large-scale, stage-bound production Poor Things.  

• The Virtual World: Virtual-production supervisor Adrian Weber and visual-effects supervisor Tim Barter explain how an LED wall was deployed to evoke early-cinema effects on Poor Things.

• Shot Craft: A close look at scenes in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Raiders of the Lost Ark reveals how imaginative blocking can advance the story.

• Clubhouse News: The latest bulletins from the Society feature the 31st annual EnergaCamerimage International Film Festival, and announcements of the passing of ASC members John Bailey and Victor J. Kemper.

• Wrap Shot: Napoléon (1927), directed by Abel Gance, and shot by Léonce-Henri Burel, Jules Kruger, Joseph-Louis Mundwiller and Nikolai Toporkoff.