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Transcript of Steven Poster's Live Chat June 17, 2000 Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 1:03:54 PM) We're ready to begin.... Welcome to the live chat with Steven Poster. We're ready to take questions now.
Cameraop (Jun 17, 2000 1:04:09 PM) How do you feel about High Definition as a production tool for movie formats on the big screen?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:04:34 PM) Great, let's start out easy. This is a subject I could talk for days on. You'll see my editorial in the August issue of ASC magazine...
To me it's just another brush. Not as good as film, but useful nonetheless. I'm getting reports that on the early uses of this technology there are problems with movement, both in the frame and camera movement...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:06:02 PM) The effective speed is equivalent to about 160 ASA. If you push it beyond that the transfers to film start to fall apart. That's not to say that this technology won't improve, but as it improves so does film technology...
Moviehawk (Jun 17, 2000 1:06:46 PM) Steven, What do you believe will be the role of the cinematographer in the future to insure job postions with HD TV?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:07:05 PM) Our job roles won't change. .It's even more difficult to shoot on HD at this point, especially for television...All departments will need to work harder to get as good a look as you get on film. With HD on television you start to see flaws in the make-up, you see cheap-looking sets. And lighting is more exacting.
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:08:25 PM) The job of the first ass't and the second ass't is still going to be very necessary with this new technology. The job of the loader may change to the job of a video engineer. The job of the second ass't is just as necessary to help move the equipment, change lenses and keep the equipment organized, and to keep records. Just as they do today...This equipment isn't small, and it probably never will be.
Jazz Bass (Jun 17, 2000 1:09:42 PM) The story in yesterday's LA Times about high def said the gear cost about $5 million. Isn't that going to be an issue?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:09:59 PM) That sounds a bit high...But the cost for shooting a movie on high def through the print is still much more than shooting on film.
Marc (Jun 17, 2000 1:10:36 PM) What has been the most challenging project of your career?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:10:50 PM) Every film I ever do...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:10:58 PM) But seriously, I think the last movie I did in France was very exciting...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:11:31 PM) Someone To Watch Over Me was creatively one of the most interesting movies I've ever done... And of course, I loved doing Bigtop Peewee.
Craig (Jun 17, 2000 1:11:53 PM) Steven, it seems to me that because of these requirements for HD (more exacting lighting/sets) that shooting takes much longer. Is this what you have found as well?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:12:12 PM) There's no benchmarks yet for this as everything that's being done is purely experimental...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:12:31 PM) If we're talking about shooting with the Panavision/Sony camera, this equipment is about the equivalent size of a BNC..
I'm sure the ENG set-up that everybody else is trying to market to us will be smaller, but the lenses will never equal the requirements for the big screen. With that much equipment, time will be eaten up.
Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 1:13:51 PM) You have been able to move freely between commericals, tv and movies. Do you have a preference and how do you find the right balance?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:14:14 PM) Commercials are where I grew up and they're still very exciting for me. TV is a great challenge because of the budgets and schedules you have to keep up with and still come up with a great product. And features feed the soul.
Jazz Bass (Jun 17, 2000 1:14:50 PM) Is there a single scene in any of your work that you pleases you more than any other...in terms of lighting, composition, a challenge met?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:15:21 PM) I loved having to re-light the Gugenheim Museum for Someone To Watch Over Me...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:15:56 PM) Ridley and I scouted the location and he said, "Mate, I don't like Frank's lighting. It doesn't serve our movie well. Come up with something new." ...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:16:06 PM) How's that for a challenge? Re-lighting Frank Lloyd Wright...
Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 1:16:10 PM) You have been outspoken in issues affecting cinematographers and especially critical of the way some video companies have marketed their products. Do you have any concerns about whether 'being political' will affect your career?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:16:33 PM) Not enough to stop being critical. It's in my nature, and I'm a child of the '60s...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:17:15 PM) Check out, if you're interested in how this new technology is being marketed, this month's issue of Wired Magazine. Look for the Sony ad...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:17:21 PM) I can assure you film is not dead.
Camera41 (Jun 17, 2000 1:17:26 PM) Are there any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:17:41 PM) Let's see… Solving the SAG strike...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:18:17 PM) Seriously though, I'm reading several scripts at this point. One might even be done in Los Angeles -- praise the Lord!
Moviehawk (Jun 17, 2000 1:18:27 PM) Steve, how important are reps in obtaining work in today’s Hollywood?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:18:51 PM) For the type of movies that we all aspire to, they're very important. But in today's world, there's so much opportunity out there to do movies of every nature that many emerging cinematographers do it on their own until they get established.
Cameramavin (Jun 17, 2000 1:19:32 PM) what can the Guild do to help our member into the new digital age?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:19:49 PM) We are doing it. We're on a training binge...
George Spiro Dibie is traveling the country setting up seminars and training for our members and students in as many areas as we can do for the next several years. We want to ensure that our members are ready for any new technology that may come along. At the same time, we're dealing with as many other guilds and the International to assure that everybody is up to speed with what may come down the line.
RT (Jun 17, 2000 1:21:18 PM) You've discussed wide format H/DTV as a production medium. How do you think widescreen TV's will affect film and video production once consumers get rid of their narrow-screen TV's (as is currently happening in Great Britain)?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:21:47 PM) Oddly enough, in Great Britain digital TV is not a very satisfying medium...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:22:16 PM) I haven't seen it myself yet, but I'm told that the quality is lower than what they were used to with PAL...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:22:39 PM) Now, to go on from there, it was reported to me that the chief technologist from Procter & Gamble stated last week that they weren't interested at all in shooting on anything but film...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:23:17 PM) He also said that since there are only about 250,000 sets in the US, no advertiser should be interested in broadcasting HD commercials...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:23:38 PM) Programming, however, will need to make some kind of move in the next few years toward this format..
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:24:16 PM) But, as I understand it, there still isn't a decent broadcast standard for HD in this country. In the rush to buy into this new technology all of the wisdom of the engineers went into choosing the wrong standard.
keroline (Jun 17, 2000 1:24:28 PM) Do you still do still photography, and how has it affected your career?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:24:41 PM) Yes, yes, yes....
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:24:55 PM) I'm still very involved and as my master plan was to have a major retrospective sometime before I was 60, I am actively heading in that direction now...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:25:45 PM) Like features, it still feeds my soul. I carry a rangefinder camera with black-and-white film at all times. I'm still a street shooter.
Macho (Jun 17, 2000 1:25:49 PM) should the guild be more involved in politics and getting candidiates elected in light of runaway productions?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:26:22 PM) Remember the IA is an international. We have brothers and sisters working in Canada...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:26:50 PM) However, we do have a fund that actively supports causes and campaigns that directly affect us all over the country...
Moviehawk (Jun 17, 2000 1:27:29 PM) Steve, what still photographers and cinematographers inspired your work?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:28:00 PM) I was always inspired by the street shooters of the 40s and 50s...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:28:26 PM) As a collector, these are the kinds of images that I like keeping on my walls...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:28:52 PM) I was inspired at 14 by my mentor Morry Bleckman to watch anything and everything that ever moved on the screen. Some of the great '40s bblack-and-white noir movies turned me on, as well as some of the great color spectacles of the '50s and '60s...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:29:52 PM) I love big movies.
cameraop (Jun 17, 2000 1:29:56 PM) I believe I am a great operator, but no one will give me the chance to prove it. Have you ever taken anyone under your wing and taught them to be your protige? How would I go about getting a D.P. to take me under his wing to give me a shot?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:30:26 PM) There is no easy answer to this...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:30:53 PM) As I get work that travels me all over the world, it's difficult to keep a protege with me...
It's also difficult, these days, to bring non-paid participants into the studios because of insurance problems. What I can suggest doing is meeting as many cinematographers as you can and talking to them...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:31:52 PM) We are generally a very friendly group. Cinematographers, unlike many other professions in the movie business, like to hang out together...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:32:23 PM) The ASC clubhouse is testimony to that. We really do like sharing and do it as often as we can.
Lenser790 (Jun 17, 2000 1:32:28 PM) If we are international, then why is it easier for a Canadian to work in the U.S. than a U.S. citizen to work on a film in Canada or does it have to originate in the U.S. to do this?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:32:57 PM) It doesn't have anything to do with union rules these are immigration problems...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:33:11 PM) Something to ask your congressman.
Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 1:33:15 PM) If you could pick one director from any point in history to work with, who would it be, and why?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:33:33 PM) Only one director? W hat a short career that would be...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:33:53 PM) Seriously, I would have loved to have worked with some of the great early comedy directors: Preston Sturgis, Lubitsch...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:34:30 PM) And how about Leo McCarey, who did all of the Marx brothers...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:34:45 PM) I like to think of myself as a funny guy, and even though it's great fun to do serious drama, it's more fun to laugh every day.
Apostle (Jun 17, 2000 1:35:06 PM) Would you rather work with an experienced director or a new one, or does it matter?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:35:21 PM) It doesn't matter to me, as long as there's a mix of both...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:35:32 PM) I enjoy helping new directors discover the language of photography...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:35:55 PM) Helping someone like this tell their story with pictures is a very exciting process...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:36:15 PM) It's also great working with some of the accomplished directors that I've had an opportunity to make movies with...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:36:31 PM) They can often take me to a new place in my development as a photographer and even in my development spiritually.
Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 1:36:43 PM) What changes do you see in the future of High Definition in the movie industry
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:37:12 PM) Not as many as the marketers would like us to believe. Remember the paperless office?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:37:34 PM) However, if we talk about digital shooting, not just HD, there are a lot of changes coming...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:37:43 PM) In fact, there are a lot of changes already here...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:38:04 PM) We see them with some of the lower budget movies that people want to do on Digi Beta and even Prosumer cameras...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:38:49 PM) However, a recipient of a Sundance award last year was asked to do a $300,000 movie in digital. When he asked, "Why would you want to do that?" They said, "Well, look at the movie you did." He replied, "I shot that movie for $60,000 in Super 16."
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:39:28 PM) Don't be too quick to embrace new technologies that you've never seen. I like to call this techno-lust.
Craig (Jun 17, 2000 1:39:31 PM) What are some techniques that you use to prep yourself for a feature?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:39:55 PM) I like to get in shape physically, intellectually, and spiritually...
Shooting a movie, or any project, is an experience that's a little like a marathon race...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:40:32 PM) And if you're not prepared in all these ways, you won't do as good a job as you possibly could...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:41:00 PM) Now, you'll all find different wants of doing these things. And of course, we've heard of the cinematographers who may drink three bottles of wine a day to prepare themselves...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:41:09 PM) But I couldn't do that. Even though I enjoy good wine...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:41:37 PM) One of the interesting results of my French movie was that the director and crew were always amazed at the amount of stamina I had at the end of a long day...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:41:59 PM) I was always ready to go on to the next shot, when they were ready to go home. This told me a lot about being focused and in great shape.
Tomfocus (Jun 17, 2000 1:42:03 PM) in relation to super 16mm, how can they say they shot the pic for $60,000 when the optical blow up is about $50,000, or was that made after the sale?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:42:46 PM) As I understand it, most of those blow-ups are made after the sale. And I've also heard good blow-ups being done for as low as $35,000 per feature. About the same cost or less, than transferring DigiBeta to film.
illmeta (Jun 17, 2000 1:42:57 PM) With all of the advances in technology, is it easier to be a cinematographer today?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:43:14 PM) Not if you want to be good.
Reflection_eternal (Jun 17, 2000 1:43:18 PM) Knowing what you know today, would you do anything differently if you were beginning your career today? Would you join ICG and work your way up through the ranks as a crew member, or would you concentrate on shooting whatever you can shoot?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:43:45 PM) Knowing what I know today, I'd do everything differently...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:43:54 PM) Don't you all have regrets? ...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:44:10 PM) But without the luxury of hindsight, I was always bent on being a shooter from the time I was 14...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:44:32 PM) I was fortunate to have a mentor who insisted that I learn still photography before I ever touched a motion picture camera.
Meter_Reader (Jun 17, 2000 1:44:40 PM) Steve, do you think as a local with the help of our brothers and sisters from other unions that we could get a bill passed that taxes productions returning to the states from filiming abroad?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:45:21 PM) It doesn't look like there would ever be a chance for that. At least not with a Republican Congress.
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:45:43 PM) Reagan was the one that removed that tax, and it'll be difficult to ever get it back.
GoldenPictures (Jun 17, 2000 1:45:48 PM) It was interesting reading in your interview that you used to hang -out at Cinema Processors with the TV News shooters. These are the same guys Haskell's Medium Cool is about. Did the two of you ever talk about this? Were Bob Pasquale and Larry Gianneschi III processing their film there then?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:46:33 PM) At that time Larry was an assistant. But yes, in fact, there's a scene in Medium Cool where a bunch of photojournalists are at a cocktail party. Two of those men were mentors of mine, one of them was Morry… Haskell and I have often joked about this.
Operator_21 (Jun 17, 2000 1:47:32 PM) Do you use any type of lighting software to prepare yourself to light specific scenes or do you make your own mental and paper notes? Do you know of any programs that are worth getting?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:48:11 PM) Even though I'm very computerized, unless it's a theatrical stage set, I don't use computer software for this...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:48:27 PM) However, I do very extensive paperwork through preparation...
Notes on everything imaginable. From interesting visual references to quotes that might inspire me to sketches to still photographs of sets...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:49:26 PM) And I like to circulate a lot of that information between my crew and myself. I even try and share what is relevant with the director and the production designer in designing the visual arc of a movie and the various visual arcs of the characters with the director, it's extremely important that everybody be on board with our ideas.
Lenser790 (Jun 17, 2000 1:50:14 PM) How long could that process take to give you that visual look?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:50:28 PM) Until the end of the movie...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:50:42 PM) Seriously, there are projects that you don't get enough preparation on. And you find that preparation runs well into the first weeks of shooting...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:51:18 PM) However, when you do get the luxury of long prep and a director who's interested, it can be a very exciting part of the process.
DRJ (Jun 17, 2000 1:51:29 PM) What can you do in film artistically, that you can't do in still photography?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:51:41 PM) Move the camera...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:51:56 PM) It's also easier to work to my own vision in a very solitary way. However, one of the reasons I like making movies is because it's a little like going to camp.
dosreis13 (Jun 17, 2000 1:52:20 PM) what do you look for in your camera operators?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:52:46 PM) A brother, a sister, a partner and someone who can move the camera as well as getting along with everybody...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:53:24 PM) And this is true of my entire crew. People who will watch my back.
Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 1:53:30 PM) How have commercials gotten more creative for cinematographers?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:54:11 PM) There's a constant demand in commercials to activate the audience...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:54:28 PM) Therefore, the visuals become more important all the time...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:54:51 PM) This allows us to become more partnered with the director and the creative director from the agency to create these exciting visuals.
Ol_nikkormat (Jun 17, 2000 1:54:56 PM) Are more fond of any particular quality of light, or do you allow yourself to be carried by the nature of the scene, rather than impose a consistant aesthetic?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:55:23 PM) My consistent aesthetic is internal. I let the nature of the story direct the quality of light.
Phil_up (Jun 17, 2000 1:55:50 PM) How has your work evolved over the course of your career?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:56:27 PM) With every photograph I take, with every frame of motion picture I shoot, I become more informed. That's not to say that I don't like some of the earlier work I've done...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:57:09 PM) And, in fact, some of the freedom that comes from not knowing gives a roughness to some of my earlier that I like...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:57:40 PM) But as I've learned more and more, I've become aware that every element of every frame, in every scene of a project, informs the audience...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:58:06 PM) And to be in control of all of those elements to tell a story -- is very satisfying...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:58:29 PM) But as I become more informed, my work becomes more intuitive. I think that's an important quality that I've gained over the years.
RogerBrown (Jun 17, 2000 1:58:31 PM) Can you talk about your invlovement in "Strange Brew"?
Boy, I love that movie!
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:58:59 PM) I laughed for four months. Those guys kept me going every day. And it was really satisfying because when they started the project they weren't directors. When they ended, they were...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 1:59:37 PM) It was great to be able to help them with that, and to laugh as much as that.
mrt (Jun 17, 2000 1:59:40 PM) What have been some of your latest commercials since one never knows who shot them?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:00:43 PM) I was in Florida for a series of Adidas golf commercials with Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia and for Eric Joiner of Tool...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:01:02 PM) That was really fun -- except for the bugs...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:01:22 PM) Before that, I did some exciting work for the Hispanic market with the group called Mana...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:02:03 PM) I was also in New Orleans for GTE Wireless, but that will be a regional commercial.
Cameramavin (Jun 17, 2000 2:02:09 PM) There's obviously a lot of misinformation in the press about the role of cinematographers. Who's fault is that -- the press, the publicists ? And what's the solution?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:02:33 PM) It's generally the fault of an uninformed press...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:02:50 PM) There's so much irresponsibility in the press today that if they're getting this so wrong, what the hell are they doing about the national news?
I was at a conference recently where a Rolling Stone reporter just wanted to know what the date would be that film would be dead. He needed a headline...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:03:41 PM) Everybody there, from both sides of the aisle, told him to get lost, he didn't know what he was talking about...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:04:19 PM) I think one of the solutions could be to write letters. Wherever and whenever you see this misinformation, please get involved and send letters to the editor of that publication to inform them of their lousy reporting.
Golden Pictures (Jun 17, 2000 2:04:22 PM) How much prep time do you like to get for a movie a MOW, a commersal? How much do you usally get? Is it mostly on your own time?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:04:51 PM) I will contribute whatever time I have to get a project on its feet...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:05:02 PM) If it's something I want to do. But when it comes to formal production, I am usually paid for this process...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:05:29 PM) If I can get six weeks on a movie, that's usually plenty of time. Most often, it's two to four weeks...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:05:50 PM) On a MOW it can be up to two weeks, and on a commercial it's usually a day or two...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:06:06 PM) If I get hired early enough, even though I'm not getting paid at that point, I'm on the project.
filmpro (Jun 17, 2000 2:06:14 PM) Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future for cinematographers?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:06:41 PM) No matter what Sony says, they can't do it without us...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:07:07 PM) As long as we keep making better images than they can make, we'll be around forever...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:07:40 PM) I loved the comment on a panel at Sundance, where the filmmaker said, "Now, we're finally free of the conspiracy of caterers and cinematographers." ...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:07:55 PM) This guy's going to have hungry crews and lousy pictures. Do you want to work for him?
Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 2:07:59 PM) How will the role of the ICG change?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:08:18 PM) The ICG is changing constantly...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:08:54 PM) As George Spiro Dibie and our wonderful staff, headed by Bruce Doering, learn more every day the role of the ICG grows...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:09:14 PM) It's most important that we find ways to organize the work on the internet...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:09:29 PM) If all goes as expected, this work will create more opportunities for all of our members...
We're looking for ways now to do this. It's also important that we are now offering as much training all over the country as we are doing...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:10:18 PM) We must keep everybody up to date on all of the new processes and technologies available to make pictures. It's equally important for you, as members, to share with us...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:10:37 PM) Don't just talk amongst yourselves -- talk to us. We're ready to hear you, we want to hear you, and we'll do what we can to meet your needs...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:11:07 PM) But without your feedback and without your involvement, we can't do much. Get involved, stay involved, and be part of the solution.
Moderator (Jun 17, 2000 2:11:11 PM) It is sometimes said that DPs are a combination of artist and engineer. Where do you fall in that range?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:11:29 PM) As a spiritualist, somewhere in the middle...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:11:57 PM) But, as I said, my work is becoming more intuitive every time I take out a camera, whether it's still or movies, video or film.
Golden Pictures (Jun 17, 2000 2:13:57 PM) How do you find crews as you travel the country?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:14:22 PM) I try never to listen to production coordinators...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:14:35 PM) They often have hidden agendas as to why we should hire their friends...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:14:50 PM) There aren't many places that I can't find a reference to crew members in the area...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:15:05 PM) Often I'll go to the membership directory to find names of people I'm familiar with and I'll call them, even if I don't know them...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:15:54 PM) I've also used the cinematographers' mailing list to get references. This is information that we like to share on the inside. Anybody who's worked with somebody they enjoy, usually loves to pass that information on.
Cameraop (Jun 17, 2000 2:15:58 PM) If you don't know someone, what would make you give them a shot on a 'B' or 'C' camere?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:16:27 PM) Do you mean even without a recommendation?
Cameraop (Jun 17, 2000 2:19:53 PM) or a resume not nearly in film but a lot of operating.
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:20:11 PM) A lot of times it depends on attitude...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:20:26 PM) And just a feeling that I get in an interview. In these kinds of situations, I trust my instincts. Fortunately, they've rarely been wrong. i think it has to do with the fact that I've been in that position in my earlier career. And I've had people give me breaks. It's important to go into any interview for any job ...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:21:29 PM) Whether it's assistant operator or DP and listen with enthusiasm and think carefully before you respond. Be as honest and open as you can and look the person you're talking to in the eyes...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:22:24 PM) In fact, nail them. And if they don't want to look you back in the eyes, you probably don't want to work with them anyway.
ConnieHawkins (June 17, 2000 2:16:57 PM) What was the most difficult scene you ever encountered?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:17:11 PM) Sometimes the most difficult can be the simplest scene...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:17:52 PM) One of my favorite directors, whom I've done three projects with, Jeremey Kagen, was thrown into a two-wall set that was a motel room, very uninteresting...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:18:53 PM) Because I respond well to being directed, just like an actor would, as I looked at the set in despair with no idea of how to make it look interesting, Jeremy said to me, "Think Raoul Coutard." A reference that we both had to a French cinematographer who worked in the nouvelle vague era of French movies. I was immediately inspired and knew right where to go.
Jalen (Jun 17, 2000 2:22:33 PM) What type of movie genre would you prefer to do? And why?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:23:18 PM) I'd like to do everything David Lean ever did. But since he's dead, I'll take anything you've got...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:23:42 PM) Remember, earlier I said I loved comedy. But one of the most satisfying jobs I've ever done was a little movie called Testament that we shot for 20 days and it was such a serious subject I think everybody on the crew cried every day. It also didn't help that it rained for 18 of the 20 days!
Moviehawk (Jun 17, 2000 2:24:12 PM) Steven, in preproduction how do you know how much lighting equipment to bring on a feature?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:24:49 PM) As much as you can get away with, without jeopardizing your job. As much as you need. And as little as you need...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:25:27 PM) Don't try and over-do it, but once you have a concept, trust your crew to help you make those decisions...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:26:14 PM) It's also important in today's world to be production friendly. However, we see the trend of less experienced production departments all over the industry. It's important to be patient with them and try and educate them as to what we need...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:26:30 PM) How often do we now see production coordinators or production supervisors who were just PAs on the job before?
dpken (Jun 17, 2000 2:26:32 PM) It seems that no matter the budget, there is never enough money for our department. Have you found that to be true in the bigger budget world and how have you dealt with that with the producer/UPM?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:27:04 PM) You've got to be a politician...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:27:30 PM) Negotiate, compromise, do all you can until you have to take a gun out and shoot them...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:27:46 PM) But be careful not to get a reputation that will serve you poorly in the years to come..
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:28:14 PM) Few of us can survive that in the world of today's production. Just as we get recommendations from other cinematographers, UPMs always talk to each other. Be careful.
Tomfocus (Jun 17, 2000 2:28:33 PM) when you are confronted with an impossible schedule, how do you diplomaticaly make it work?
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:28:57 PM) You go as fast as you can until they tell you to go home...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:29:30 PM) Seriously, it's important to make very careful judgments of where to take your stand. It's also important to use the word "no" as little as possible...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:29:59 PM) Sometimes you have to learn to say "yes" even when you mean "no," just to get them to go along with you...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:30:21 PM) Every situation has its own conditions. Every project, from the lowest to the largest budget, always presents these types of problems...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:31:04 PM) I was at Sundance Institute as an advisor last week, and a wonderful director gave a three-hour talk about directing from A to Z, from casting to editing, that had practical information that everybody could use. In fact, it was inspiring...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:31:52 PM) But one of the young filmmakers said, "Come on, you know we can't do that on our budgets." But the fact is, good production techniques work from the smallest to the largest projects.
dpken (Jun 17, 2000 2:32:04 PM) Thank you Steven...this was great.
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:32:20 PM) It's always fun for me to talk about this subject...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:32:33 PM) And for those of you who have read some of the stuff I've written, you know I've got a big mouth...
Steven Poster (Jun 17, 2000 2:33:13 PM) I hope to be out there for many years keeping our interests and the interests of cinematography in the forefront of people's minds in and out of the industry. Thanks for being here, and talking to me.
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