John Schwartzman, ASC: Michael Bay

Schwartzman discusses his first projects with director Michael Bay, bringing commercial and music-video style to a feature, creating practical effects in-camera, and the philosophy of “making it look cool.” (13:41)

Referenced clip: The Rock (Blu-ray, 1:10:46-1:14:36; AC June ’96)

  1. Shooting a Variety of Projects
  2. En Route to Cinematography
  3. Michael Bay
  4. Seabiscuit
  5. The Rookie
  6. Pearl Harbor
  7. Q&A

The ASC Breakfast Club begins its third year of in-depth interviews hosted inside of the Society’s historic Clubhouse in Hollywood. In front of a live audience, ASC members share their inspirations and experiences while analyzing scenes from their own work and offering an informative look at their decision-making process and collaborative spirit. The interview, conducted by American Cinematographerassociate editor Jon Witmer, is followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Breakfast Club participants of 2012 in order of appearance: Phedon Papamichael, ASCKarl Walter Lindenlaub, ASC, BVKJohn Schwarztman, ASCRichard Edlund, ASCClaudio Miranda, ASC.