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Our predictions for the Cannes competition

A list of 35 filmmakers who I believe may or may not be in competition in the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

The list includes pretty safe bets like the Coen brothers, Sofia Coppola, Jean-Luc Godard, Terence Malick, Roman Polanski, Nicholas Refn and Paolo Sorrentino, and others that are more like hunches.

Some of these may end up in the Un Certain Regard sidebar. For instance, the Cannes Official Selection is usually restricted to a maximum of 4 French films, and this list has 7.

The films in competition will be revealed during a press conference in a few weeks.

Is there anyone I'm missing?

Our video about 3D Steadicam rig past 75 K views

thefilmbook video showing Philippe Bordelais assembling a Freestyle 3D Steadicam with a Transvideo 3DView monitor has been seen almost 60 thousand times in the past 9 months.

Our thanks to the viewers, and to the people who left friendly & entertaining comments like:

* Respect! - showreelmakers

* 5:57 my heart kind of stopped there for a second - godmode9

* I get strangely excited hearing all the 'clunks' of equipment being cabled together! - BrightworksMedialLtd

* This is way better than sex ! - wardonboy

* This video is better than Avatar - Fedoonly

Cover story about Killing Them Softly is online

My cover story about Killing Them Softly for the American Cinematographer magazine is now online.

The article is based on interviews with director Andrew Dominik, cinematographer Greig Fraser, gaffer Jay Kemp and key grip Kurt Kornemann.

 

 

Harris Savides 1957 - 2012

Cinematographer Harris Savides has left us suddenly at the age of 55. Our sincere condolences to his family.

Harris was a pure artist, and a gentle bear of a man, intelligent, considerate and humble. He was universally admired by his peers, and sought out by many filmmakers including directors Gus van Sant, David Fincher, Ridley Scott and Sofia Coppola, among others

Harris' feature credits include:

The Yards
Gerry, Elephant, Last Days
Milk
The Game
Zodiac
American Gangster
Somewhere
and the upcoming The Bling Ring.

Harris also lit notable music videos for Madonna and REM.

 

May God bless his soul.

 

 

Cover story about Prometheus online

My cover story about Prometheus for the American Cinematographer magazine is online.

I spoke with director Ridley Scott, cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, gaffer Perry Evans, stereographer James Goldman & camera-data supervisor Jeroen Hendriks.

 

 

 

Nora Ephron's 2 lists

Before dying the brilliant writer/filmmaker made lists of what she would and would not miss. Moving. Funny.

Nora Ephron was involved in 2 romantic comedy masterpieces: When Harry Met Sally, which she wrote, and Sleepless in Seattle, which she wrote and directed.

She also wrote blogs, novels and essays, including I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman and I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections which ends with this list.

God bless her soul.