The October 2025 issue presents a focus on horror and suspense with features on HIM and The Knife — both of which also spotlight the issue’s themes of specialized lighting and camera movement, as does this month’s reportage on Kiss of the Spider Woman and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Presented as well is a look at the Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55 demo short film Okay.
• President’s Desk: Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS reflects on her affection for the horror genre, a focus of this month’s issue.
• Kira Kelly, ASC details her strategies for framing high-impact sports and surreal horror on HIM, directed by Justin Tipping.
• Cinematographer Tobias Schliessler, ASC; director Bill Condon; and production designer Scott Chambliss describe their approach to realizing disparate worlds for Kiss of the Spider Woman. Included as an AC Digital Edition exclusive is a collection of lighting diagrams with commentary from Schliessler.
• Director of photography Lincoln Else, director Rob Reiner and concert-lighting designer Mike Baldassari discuss bringing a legendary band back to the stage for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. Exclusive to the Digital Edition is a selection of lighting diagrams with commentary from Baldassari.
• Alejandro Mejía, AMC illuminates how he created suspense in a single location for The Knife, directed by Nnamdi Asomugha.
• Short Takes: Cinematographer Oren Soffer takes Fujifilm’s new GFX Eterna 55 digital motion-picture camera for a test drive with the short film Okay, directed by Andrew Kightlinger.
• Tools of the Trade: Betty Lights Luminous Reflectors leverage a multifaceted surface coating to produce diffused, booklight-style illumination.
• In Memoriam: John S. Bartley, ASC, CSC.
• Clubhouse News: The latest bulletin from the Society features a celebration of the 2025 AC Rising Stars of Cinematography.
• Wrap Shot: This Is Spinal Tap, shot by Peter Smokler and directed by Rob Reiner.
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