John Alcott

John Alcott
Born	(1930-11-27)27 November 1930 London, England
Died	28 July 1986(1986-07-28)(aged 55) Cannes,Alpes-Maritimes, France
Occupation	Cinematographer
Years active	1948–1986

John Alcott,BSC(27 November 1930 – 28 July 1986)was an English cinematographer known for his four collaborations with directorStanley Kubrick:2001: A Space Odyssey(1968), for which he took over as lighting cameraman fromGeoffrey Unsworthin mid-shoot,A Clockwork Orange(1971),Barry Lyndon(1975), the film for which he won his Oscar,andThe Shining(1980). Alcott died from a heart attack inCannes,France, in July 1986; he was 55.He received a tribute at the end of his last filmNo Way OutstarringKevin Costner.

Life

John Alcott was born inIsleworth,England,in 1930.

John's father was Arthur Alcott, a film executive. At a young age, Alcott started his career in film by becoming a clapper boy, which was the lowest position in the camera crew chain. As time progressed however, he moved his way up and eventually became the third highest position of the camera following the lighting cameraman and the main camera operator. His position was extremely important, as his job was to adjust, focus and measure the lens and distance between the actor or object being shot and the camera itself.

Alcott's big break was given to him by Stanley Kubrick,who was a master cinematographer, director, and producer. Kubrick promoted Alcott to lighting cameraman in 1968 while working on2001: A Space Odysseyand from there the two created an inseparable collaboration, in which they worked together on all Kubrick's films until Alcott's death. In 1971, Kubrick then elevated Alcott to director of photography onA Clockwork Orangewhich was nominated for fourAcademy AwardsinBest Picture,Best Director,Best Adapted ScreenplayandBest Film Editing;however, the film did not win in any category.

Alcott studied lighting and how the light fell in the rooms of a set. He would do this so that when he shot his work it would look like natural lighting, not stage lighting. It was this extra work and research that made his films look so visually beautiful.

Three films Alcott worked on were ranked between 1950 and 1997 in the top 20 of “Best Shot”, voted by the American Society of Cinematographers.

Not only was Alcott a highly regarded cinematographer, in the 1980s when he immigrated to the United States he directed and shot commercials for television at the well known Paisley Productions, based in Hollywood.

Death

While in Cannes, France, Alcott suffered a heart attack and died on 28 July 1986. In his memory and honour, the "BSC John Alcott ARRI Award" was created by the British Society of Cinematographers to honour fellow lighting cameramen in film.Alcott was survived by his wife Sue and son Gavin, who followed in his father's footsteps.

Filmography

• 2001: A Space Odyssey(1968)
• A Clockwork Orange(1971)
• Little Malcolm(1974)
• Overlord(1975)
• Barry Lyndon(1975)
• March or Die(1977)
• The Disappearance(1977)
• Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?(1978)
• The Shining(1980)
• Terror Train(1980)
• Fangio – Una vita a 300 all'ora(1981)
• Fort Apache the Bronx(1981)
• Triumphs of a Man Called Horse(1982)
• Vice Squad(1982)
• The Beastmaster(1982)
• Under Fire(1983)
• Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes(1984)
• Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend(1985)
• Miracles(1986)
• White Water Summer(1987)
• No Way Out(1987)

Awards

• 1973:BAFTAAward nomination forA Clockwork Orange
• 1976:OscarforBarry Lyndon
• 1976:BAFTAAward forBarry Lyndon
• 1984:BAFTAAward nomination forGreystoke

External links

• John Alcott biography and credits at BFI Screenonline
• John AlcottatIMDb