Billed as "The International Journal of Film and Digital Production Techniques," American Cinematographer focuses on the art and craft of cinematography, going behind the scenes on productions of all shapes and sizes. The magazine features in-depth interviews with cinematographers, directors and some of their key collaborators at every stage of production. The magazine also features historical articles, technical how-to pieces, and information on the latest tools and technologies that impact the cinematographer's craft.

History

The American Society of Cinematographers was founded in 1919, and American Cinematographer was initiated on November 1, 1920 as a twice-monthly four-page tabloid-sized newsletter about the ASC and its members, and soon became the "Magazine of Record" for the ASC. In 1922, the publication went monthly. In 1929, new editor Hal Hall started to change the publication; he reformatted it to standard magazine size, increased the page count, and included more articles on amateur filmmaking. For a while during the 1930s, the magazine was devoted to professional cinematography and amateur moviemaking in equal measure. In 1937, the ASC purchased a Spanish bungalow at 1782 North Orange Drive in Hollywood, California, just around the corner from the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre. American Cinematographer has been produced at this location ever since.

Modern era

In recent years, American Cinematographer has expanded its scope to include music videos, short films and commercials; reviews of DVD releases; and coverage of postproduction techniques and technologies. The New Products & Services section, which profiles and reviews the latest tools available to filmmakers, remains one of the magazine's most widely read departments.

American Cinematographer has so far won 10 Maggie Awards (and 37 nominations) for excellence and 4 Folio: Eddie Awards for editorial excellence. It published its 85th anniversary edition in August 2004. Next to Variety (started in 1909), it is the oldest periodical in existence in the motion picture industry. In 2006, American Cinematographer introduced a digital edition, and magazine articles are frequently augmented by expanded coverage on American Cinematographer's Web site: www.theasc.com/magazine.

American Cinematographer is staffed by four editors, one art director and about a dozen freelance writers; contributors include ASC members and other filmmakers.

Chronology of executive editors

• "Captain Jack" Poland (1920–1921)
• Mary B Howe (1921)
• Silas Edgar Snyder (1921–March 1922, September 1927–April 1929)
• Foster Gross (August 1922–August 1927)
• Hal Hall (May 1929–September 1932, September 1943–December 1945)
• Charles J. VerHalen (October 1932–February 1937)
• George Blaisdell (March 1937–December 1940)
• William Stull, ASC (January 1941–August 1943)
• Walter R. Greene (January 1946–June 1948)
• Arthur Gavin (July 1948–January 1965)
• Herb Lightman (February 1965, February 1966–June 1982)
• Will Lane (March 1965)
• Don C. Hoeffler (April 1965–January 1966)
• Richard Patterson (July 1982–April 1985)
• George Turner (May 1986–January 1992)
• David Heuring (February 1992–June 1995)
• Stephen Pizzello (July 1995–Present)

Sources

• Birchard, Robert S. "Shaping Cinematography's 'Magazine of Record'". American Cinematographer Magazine, August 2004, Vol. 85, No 8. pp. 66–75.
• Katz, Ephraim. The Film Encyclopedia, Second edition. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994. p. 54. ISBN 0-06-273089-4.
• Konigsberg, Ira. The Complete Film Dictionary. New York: Signet, 1987. p. 11. ISBN 0-452-00980-4.
• Mitchell, George. "The ASC Is an Honor Society, Not a Trade Union, of Cinematographers". Films in Review, August–September 1967. pp. 385–397.
• Slide, Anthony. The American Film Industry: A Historical Dictionary. New York: Limelight Editions, 1990. p. 17. ISBN 0-87910-139-3.
• Williams, Whitney. "Society of Cinematographers Marks 50 Years of Achievement". Daily Variety, January 17, 1969. pp. 10, 16.

External links

• The American Society of Cinematographers Official Website
• American Cinematographer Magazine Official Website